In the spirit of the Easter holiday, we’ll be sharing quotes from our new release The Glory of the Cross by James Philip that reflect on the major stages of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Visit Hendrickson’s blog tomorrow and Sunday for more sneak peeks into this intellectual and moving book, as well as thoughtful passages to prepare our hearts for Christ’s resurrection! For a passage on the Last Supper and the Garden of Gethsemane, check out our post from yesterday.

“If we reflect on Christ’s suffering only in a devotional manner, we miss the point. We must probe the deep questions: ‘Why did he suffer? What is the meaning of the agony?’ As soon as we begin to explore the why question, we find new vistas. We see our own conversion to Christ in a new perspective—for we see it in the context of his plan for the whole world. As we do this, we find our love for him being given a firmer basis, a doctrinal foundation—building such a foundation for our faith is the best and truest was of keeping our love for him alive.”

“In Christ’s cry from the cross, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ we see the biblical idea of substitution. There was no answer to that terrible cry; God was silent. Christ had been silent in his trial, having no defence to offer, with the weight of our sin on his shoulders. Now there is silence from heaven. There could be no answer from God; for that is what hell means. And in the terrible agony of that silence, atonement was made and our forgiveness was sealed in blood.”

The Glory of the Cross takes us through a series of meditations on the last hours of Jesus’ life, from the Last Supper to Calvary. James Philip, Scottish theologian and pastor, brings unusually perceptive insight into Christ’s “fierce, costly love.” This book is intended to be read in both personal devotion and together with others.

A blend of doctrinal instruction and pastoral application, poetically and intelligently written. A foreword by Sinclair Ferguson emphasizes Philip’s depth of feeling and clarity of expression. A study guide in the back of the book makes this book useful for Bible studies, Sunday schools, and church small group settings.

For more information or to purchase, visit this link.