Presby-Musings

Several years ago, I went to the Holy Land Experience amusement park in Orlando .  It's a strange place, to be honest.  I'm not sure just how much of the amusement park itself is representative of the Holy Land ... but it's an experience , so there's that. At the Holy Land Experience amusement park there is a replica of the Empty Tomb of Jesus .  This is a photo of the inside of the tomb: Yes. That is a door in the back of the Empty Tomb .  I have used this before in a sermon, but it's just too good to not use again.  I can't tell you how many deep theological problems this back door to the Empty Tomb creates.  But there it is. I've had the opportunity to go on two different pilgrimages to the actual Holy Land in Israel, and am preparing for a third trip a year from now. As part of the trips I lead, we visit an area just outside of the Old City of Jerusalem that is believed by many to be the site of the garden where Jesus was buried in a bo...

This is a copy of the devotional I sent my church members this morning.   John 19:25-28 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas , and Mary Magdalene . 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, "Woman,here is your son," 27 and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. 28 Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. I have on many occasions stood at the bedside of loved ones who breathed their last, and put my arms around their family me...