9. Week Nine—The Crucified & Risen Lord

Words To Live By “Thus it stands written that the Christ would suffer and would rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” Jesus in Luke 24:46-48 What is the best surprise you ever received? I can’t remember many big surprises, but there was one I’ll never forget—a trip for one of my big birthdays secretly planned by my husband. He left me a note one morning telling me to pack my bag (including a swimsuit) and be ready to leave about two hours later. He refused to tell me anything else about the trip. When we stopped at the airport, I thought he’d come with me, but no. And all I learned was my airport destination, Houston. When I arrived there, a life-long friend picked me up and told me that several other friends were coming with us to the beach. They had been planning with my husband for months. Happy but shocked would have described me well! I suspect happy and shocked were only two of the deep emotions felt by Jesus’ followers when they learned that he was alive. Despite his predictions, they never understood that he would die or wha...