At the heart of the Christian
faith
is the simple truth, yet profound
mystery, that 'Christ died for our
sins'. According to the Apostle Paul,
Christ dying in our place is the truth
of 'first importance' in the gospel,
apart from which we have 'believe in
vain' (1 Cor. 15:2-3). And yet it is
all too easy for Christians to lose
sight of the cross and for things of
this world to eclipse the glory of its
message.
In seven short studies in the
nineteenth chapter of John's Gospel,
Richard D. Phillips encourages the
reader to take a fresh look at the
amazing story of the death of the
Saviour, Jesus Christ the Son of God.
Writing with intelligence and pastoral
warmth, the author especially delights
in drawing the reader's attention to
the small details surrounding the
crucifixion that John recorded in his
Gospel.
The aim of these studies is to refocus
eyes that have grown dim and to stir up
a spirit of thanksgiving and praise in
the heart of the believer. For it is at
the cross, as the author says, that 'we
gaze upon the heart of our Lord with
wonder and feel the warmth of his grace
in our soul'.