June 3, 2025
The Sheep’s Psalm
Here we celebrate the unspeakable liberty and joy of being a sheep within the fold of Christ, and here we proclaim the Lord’s overcoming death, until he comes again.
Articles for tag: Calvary
January 20, 2025
“If I Had a Dollar …”
Because of The Savior's all-sufficient sacrifice, we are set for life—eternal life.
April 8, 2023
Easter Meditation 6: The Centurion
In his sixth and final devotion for the week leading up to Easter, former editor Mark A. Taylor shares thoughts about the centurion . . . "Struck by the Truth" (Matthew 27:45-54).
April 6, 2023
Easter Meditation 4: Mary, the Mother of Jesus
In his fourth of six devotions in the week leading up to Easter, former editor Mark A. Taylor shares thoughts about the anguish that Mary, the Mother of Jesus, suffered . . . "Overwhelmed by Grief" (John 19:25-27).
January 10, 2022
Extremist for Love
At Calvary, Martin Luther King Jr. contended, "Jesus Christ . . . was an extremist for love, truth and goodness, and thereby rose above his environment."
November 25, 2021
Throwback Thursday: ‘He . . . Gave Thanks’
In a 1954 editorial about Thanksgiving, Burris Butler wrote: "As a nation we have been blessed with abundant material benefits. For these we may properly give thanks, but our thanksgiving should not stop there . . ."
September 13, 2021
Sept. 19 | Jesus Is a Superior Sacrifice
When Jesus was done, he sat down at the right hand of God. These days, people sit down to work. By contrast, in the ancient world when someone sat down, it meant their work was finished (John 19:30)
June 21, 2021
God’s Presence
We set aside time for this meal to thank God for his promises, provisions, and most of all, his presence.
April 1, 2021
The Roman Centurion:
Caught Between Kingdoms
The Words of the Roman Centurion When He Came Face-to-Face with the True Son of God Still Resonate His retirement drew near. He’d been serving Rome faithfully for 23 years. Now 43, he was ready to hang up his helmet. His decision to enlist with the Roman military had been a practical one. As a poor man’s son, he knew he needed a stable source of food and shelter. He often wondered what life might have been like had he chosen a different profession.* Had he been a farmer or fisherman, perhaps his closest friends would still be alive. Perhaps
February 22, 2021
Sinners Saved by Grace
By Stuart Powell As a child, did you ever try to hide from your parents after a disobedient act? Did you seek sanctuary somewhere in your house? Was it even a good hiding place? Such a foolish reaction stretches back to the beginning of sin on earth. When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them
June 29, 2020
Lesson for July 5, 2020: Perfect Love, Brotherly Love (1 John 3:10-23; 2 John 4-6)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the July 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ COMPANION RESOURCES: Application: “Melting Polar Ice,” by David Faust Discovery Questions ________ Lesson Aim: Love not with mere words but with actions and in truth. ________ By Mark Scott Our identity is discerned from several things—e.g., heritage, upbringing, experiences, relationships, and actions, to name only a few. For the apostle John, identity is tied
April 27, 2020
The Time
By Stuart Powell John’s Gospel shares a conversation that occurred the Sunday before Jesus’ crucifixion which is often overlooked in the festive inauguration of Holy Week. Jesus replied, “The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. . . . Now my soul is greatly distressed. And what should I say? ‘Father, deliver me from this hour’? No, but for this very reason I have come to this hour” (John 12:23-27, New English Translation). How often had Jesus looked ahead to “the time”? Did he ever pause as he washed his feet to consider where the nails
December 10, 2019
The Light of a New Day
By Leigh Mackenzie December 15 is the third Sunday in Advent. The winter solstice—the longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere—occurs December 21. After the solstice, days will gradually lengthen. Spring will arrive in three months, along with the return of vibrant life. Summer will be in six months. By then, our days will be swathed in bright sunshine until late in the evening. Spring and summer are a time of growth and production. The prophet wrote, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light
October 8, 2019
The Sweetest Love of All
By Randy Gordon There are certain words that, through use or overuse, tend to lose their impact or meaning. One such word is love. (By the way, guys, Sweetest Day is October 19!) Let’s be honest, we all want to hear the words, “I love you!” from those closest to us. When a spouse or significant other tells us, “I love you,” it warms our heart and makes us feel special. But when, 30 seconds later, that same person says, “I love tacos” or “I love my dog,” does it mean the same thing? Do they love everything equally? Or—gulp—do
January 29, 2019
One Thing
By L. Mackenzie As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17). Jesus commented that only God is good and then recited several commandments, to which the man replied, “All these I have kept since I was a boy” (v. 20). Jesus told that “rich young ruler” he still lacked one thing if he wanted a heavenly inheritance. Darn, that one thing! And it was a big thing. The man knew it. Romans 3 says no
January 8, 2019
Can Dry Bones Live Again?
By Ronald G. Davis Old Doc Richardson, of my Appalachian hometown, kept a human skeleton on display in his office. Carefully wired together and suspended from a metal stand, that skeleton clinked and clanked at the slightest touch of my small-child hand. It was eerie. It was also obvious to my unsophisticated mind: Whoever’s bones these were would never come to life again. Those bones were dead and dry. In Ezekiel 37, when God led Ezekiel back and forth across a field filled with bones, he asked the prophet a simple question: “Son of man, can these bones live?” Now
May 22, 2018
Battlefield Sacrifice
By Rick Chromey This weekend marks the unofficial beginning of summer, but it’s also when we pause to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Since 1970, the last Monday of May has been designated as Memorial Day. It’s an annual sacred holiday to remember our fallen soldiers. Jesus taught his disciples, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). Friends will do that for friends. A friend will honorably take a bullet for a buddy, but those who serve in our military often die for people they
March 30, 2018
The Forensics of Good Friday
An ER Doctor Examines What Jesus Experienced from the Garden to the Cross By Dwain C. Illman The resurrection is the keystone and the capstone of Christian belief. The crucifixion was required as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. Every time I read Isaiah 53, I’m filled with awe and sadness as I marvel at detailed predictions surrounding our Savior. Consider Isaiah 53:5: “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” As a physician who saw some
February 17, 2017
Calvary-Road Therapy
By Doug Redford Peter Bronson, a former columnist for The Cincinnati Enquirer, wrote an item for the opinion page that appeared in the paper on July 31, 2005. He entitled it, “Country-road Therapy Soothes the Soul.” In it he wrote, “I”ve heard of physical therapy, occupational therapy, water therapy, and music therapy. I prefer country-road therapy. The prescription is simple: Take a full tank of gas and a summer afternoon, and just drive until the billboards are replaced by barns and the skyscrapers turn into silos.” “When I had a motorcycle,” he continued, “I spent hours exploring country roads. Mostly
February 10, 2017
Mission Accomplished
By Doug Redford Charles Swindoll”s sister once asked him, “What”s your favorite feeling?” After some thought, Swindoll replied, “I think it would be accomplishment.” He observed how good it feels to complete a job, whether it”s a project at work, an assignment at school, or a remodeling project at home. I think I”d agree with him. How I enjoy crossing off finished tasks I”ve listed on my desk calendar! When the task represents years of effort””like the high school and college ceremonies celebrated everywhere this spring””the sense of accomplishment is even greater. Graduates and their families deserve to celebrate. Jesus,
