“Christianity teaches that, contra fatalism, suffering is overwhelming; contra Buddhism, suffering is real; contra karma, suffering is often unfair; but contra secularism, suffering is meaningful. There is a purpose to it, and if faced rightly, it can drive us like a nail deep into the love of God and into more stability and spiritual power than you can imagine…Only when our greatest love is God, a love that we cannot lose even in death, can we face all things with peace. Grief was not to be eliminated but seasoned and buoyed up with love and hope.” (Timothy Keller, Walking with God through Pain and Suffering)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Good Friday! We are mournful, yet ever rejoicing that the events leading to the death of Christ not only lead to our salvation, but His glorification! I hope that these links will draw you closer in your walk with our ever-loving Savior. Here are this week’s links!

• This week has been a somber but celebratory week as Christians all over the world are observing Passion Week, in anticipation of Easter this Sunday. In light of this, Justin Taylor has been posting videos discussing each day of the final week of Jesus, every day, leading up to Sunday. Here they are: Sunday-Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Be on the lookout on his blog for tomorrow and Sunday’s posting.
• The Grace to You blog has been writing a series on the repentant thief on the cross, highlighting his anthropology (view of man) and eschatology (view of the end).
• As is the occasion for Easter, this may be the only time family, friends, and acquaintances will be willing to discuss the topic. Fortunately, some Christian scholars discuss the evidence for the empty tomb to get you familiar with some Easter themes. In the same vein, Sean McDowell interviews Biola professor Tim Muehlhoff on how to communicate winsomely in our deeply secularized culture. Hopefully, both links turn fruitful in your discussions.
• Over at The Cripplegate, pastor Eric Davis writes a healthy introduction to the canonicity of Scripture that will give you a deeper confidence in its inspiration by God. You will not be disappointed.
• What expectations do you bring to a newly-formed friendship? What does a healthy, Christ-centered friendship, look like? How would you answer these questions? Christine Hoover provides some much-needed guidance for the church today in her article on this very neglected theme. Read and apply.
• Have you ever grieved? You probably have, and it may have even led to sin at some point. Paul Tautges, through the reading of Puritan John Flavel, has discovered seven ways grief can turn sinful. Careful with how you grieve, brothers and sisters.
• Ok, I know word got out last Saturday, but it’s worth mentioning that the audio from this years’ Shepherds Conference is now available. Listen now!

That’s all for this week! Please pray for (and invite!) those in your family, as well as friends and co-workers that the gospel will be treasured by them and Christ their true joy. See you tonight (and Sunday)!

Soli Deo Gloria