Greetings and Good Friday!
It’s been an eventful week. Many have been preparing for Easter Sunday, and I join them for this special significant time in the Christian faith.
For this week’s Doyle’s Half Dozen, I will share summaries on the special days that conclude “Holy Week,” along with a few other timely topics.
- Remember Sandi Patty?
I grew up listening to Christian singer Sandi Patty. The woman has an amazing vocal range very few can reach, and she sang many familiar, powerful songs.
Some have lost track of her. I don’t know the details of Sandi’s life, but I do know she has been a regular figure in the Oklahoma City area the last five-plus years. She has sung the National Anthem a few times at Thunder games, and in my mind there’s not many, if any, who can sing it better.
A friend on Facebook shared a video of Sandi leading worship on a recent Sunday. I love it. I’ve played it twice this week, while sitting in my office and had my own private worship time. If you would like to experience worship led by this popular Christian singer, click below:
- What is the Gospel?
Have you been asked this question: “What is the Gospel?”
Can you give the answer? And I don’t ask this question as a way to intimidate. Maybe you can’t answer it. Maybe you’re unsure of the answer.
What prompted me to ask is a situation involving a friend who asked this question to someone else. The person gave an indirect response. The person referred to the “Gospels,” referencing one of the four books that open the New Testament.
I have concluded that there are many who are unsure of what is the Gospel. Some are apathetic because they believe it is tied to “organized religion.” Yes, Christianity has as its focus the Gospel, but the Gospel is something that changes people. It’s not a ceremonial observance or a ritual that adheres to rules or spiritual laws, though such have resulted because of the Gospel.
For the next few weeks, I’m going to make a feature of DHD the Gospel as one of my talking points because I believe this powerful message is the solution to many of our social issues. In the meantime, I welcome all responses to the question: “What is the Gospel?”
- Can Wolverine be the Apostle Paul?
I was listening to K-LOVE on the way home yesterday, and the news segment announced a movie is in the works to star Hugh Jackman as the Apostle Paul. I have an equal amount of eagerness and skepticism of this possible film.
Along with Jackman, Ben Afflack and Matt Damon have been listed as being involved with the movie. This will be another opportunity for Hollywood to take on another Bible-based film, and it’s been pegged as “the most high-profile Hollywood Christian production since Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ.”
In last week’s DHD, I talked about Christian films being either unbiblical or marginally accepted at the box office, but one exception is Passion which met both standards of being scripturally accurate and a box office hit.
I love studying about Paul, both his life and his writings. Christians should appreciate Paul, especially since he has made the greatest impact on the foundation of Christianity, aside from Jesus.
So, let the curiosity begin. Can Hollywood pull it off, or will it go down in flames as another missed mark when shooting a biblically-based movie?
- Maundy Thursday
Have you wondered what “Maundy” means? From what I have been told it is Latin for “command.”
Yesterday, many Christians observed Maundy Thursday, as it was the day of Holy Week, when Jesus and his disciples were together celebrating Passover. So Jesus used the Jewish observance to help his followers understand a new observance known then as the Last Supper. Now, Christians observe the Lord’s Supper, or communion, as an ordinance of the Christian faith.
And what would be the “command”? “Love one another as I (Jesus) have loved you…” (John 13:34).
My pastor led a service last night, and he emphasized John 13:1, which gives a powerful, even poetic message of Jesus – “…having loved his own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.”
- Good Friday
It could be questioned why Good Friday is known as Good Friday. I wondered myself and did a search this morning for a more clear answer.
I found an article by Greg Garrison, of whom I know nothing, that was titled “If Jesus suffered and died, why is it called Good Friday?”
He explains it originates from “Good” in the Old English meaning “Holy.” But I also like how he emphasizes without the Resurrection, it would not be good. What is anticipated, as well as what Jesus did in our place, is what makes this day “Good.”
But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds (Isaiah 53:5)
- Resurrection Sunday
I’m not going to entertain the debate of whether it is Resurrection Sunday or Easter Sunday. I did an Internet search, and there are plenty of articles that discuss this. If you’re curious, feel free to do the search yourself.
But think about how awesome it is to know that we serve a risen Savior, and He’s in the world today.
I read a great piece yesterday, and I welcome you to read it too. It’s a commentary on Jesus’ resurrection, focusing on details and asking what does it look like to rise from the dead. Michael Kelley gives some intriguing thoughts about what John 20:7 reveals of Jesus’ head wrapping being folded up, separate from the other linens.
Enjoy the weekend, and spend time with your family, reflecting on the greatest difference between Christianity and other religions. He is risen, HE IS RISEN INDEED!