By: Frank Tunstall The prophets: “yearning to understand Messiah’s suffering and glory” (1 Peter 1:10-11 NIV). Spring is bursting out all around us. Grass, trees, bushes, flowers – they’re all experiencing a resurrection. Nature gives billions of witnesses to the resurrection. But nature is also limited. Only the story of the death and resurrection of […]
By Frank Tunstall, D. Min. The seven last words of Jesus from His cross have been the topic of many pastors and teachers. Very few, however, give attention to the seven first sayings of Jesus after His resurrection. I read a nameless article some years ago that set me to thinking. The idea is surely […]
Why Did Jesus Have to Die by Crucifixion? By: Frank Tunstall Citizens of the Roman Empire who committed capital crimes were executed by beheading. Death for capital crimes as practiced by the Jews was by stoning. The penalty that awaited rebellious slaves, thieves, and common criminals was death by crucifixion, usually preceded by brutal floggings. […]
By Frank G. Tunstall The astounding resurrection of Lazarus meant Jesus not only restored Lazarus but also reunited the family. To this day, Jesus delights to rebuild broken homes. Jesus left Mary, Martha and Lazarus celebrating a happy reunion in Bethany and went with His disciples to Ephraim in the desert. This retreat gave […]
By Frank G. Tunstall Cleopas and his unnamed friend had Jesus’ undivided attention on the road to Emmaus. The Lord began by describing them as “foolish” and “slow of heart for not believing the prophets and the Scriptures. Jesus went on to explain to them “what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself” (Luke […]
By: Frank G. Tunstall Lazarus had been alive in the world of the spirit for four days when Jesus stood at his tomb and loudly called him by name, “Lazarus, come forth” (John 11:43). The Greek word for resurrection is anastasis, and it literally translates as to stand up. If death is the great illustration […]
By Frank G. Tunstall When Mary walked up to Jesus on the outskirts of Bethany, “she fell at his feet.” What was inside her troubled soul flooded from the well of her disappointed hopes. “Lord, if you had been here,” she told Jesus, “my brother would still be alive” (John 11:32 TLB). Mary’s statement was […]
By Frank G. Tunstall “Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb [of Lazarus]. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. ‘Take away the stone,’ he said” (John 11:38). This is the second time the Apostle John used the phrase translated as “deeply moved” to describe Jesus’ emotions (see vs. […]
By: Frank G. Tunstall Martha’s decision to go meet Jesus when she heard the Lord was on the outskirts of Bethany in Israel meant Martha’s faith would blossom before Mary, her sister, because Mary chose to stay at home and did not go to Jesus with her sister. Martha’s first words to Jesus when she met […]
By: Frank G. Tunstall Luke records a story about Jesus paying a visit to a home owned by a woman named Martha, in a village Luke did not name. She had a sister named Mary living with her. Luke’s story makes no mention of a brother. The women hosted a meal for Jesus and His […]