Timeless Truths for Easter

The week of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection—Holy Week—is the most important in the entire New Testament.

These seven days changed the world as Jesus completed the work he came into the world to accomplish. Throughout history, Christian teachers have paid careful attention to this week, dedicating themselves to helping the church understand its good news.

Prepare to celebrate Easter by reading Scripture alongside the insights of some of the church’s most trusted voices.

Matthew Henry on Jesus’ triumphal entry (Mark 11:1–11)

Christ’s coming into Jerusalem remarkably shows that he was not afraid of the power and malice of his enemies. This would encourage his disciples who were full of fear. But all marked his humiliation, and these matters teach how ill it becomes Christians to take a lofty viewpoint when Christ was so far from claiming it! They welcomed his person: “Blessed is the one who comes,” the he who should come so often promised, so long expected; he comes in the name of the Lord. Let him have our best affections; he is a blessed Savior and brings blessings to us, and blessed be he who sent him. Praises be to our God who is in the highest heavens, over all, God blessed forever.

Erasmus on the testing of Jesus’ authority (Luke 20:1–19)

Having silenced to an extent the priests, Pharisees, scribes, and the leaders among the people, the Lord added a parable that placed before their eyes their incurable malice. They had been encouraged by God to amend in many ways but were always becoming progressively worse, disdaining the law, killing the prophets, and after this they would kill the Son of God. Now, this certainly is the vineyard of the Lord of the Sabbath, which he brought up out of Egypt and established in the promised land. He provided a temple and added priests, judges, leaders, and doctors: He omitted nothing that pertained to their care. But this well-tended and cared-for vineyard, which was long expected to produce good grapes, in the end produced wild grapes through the fault of the laborers.

Thomas À Kempis on Christ’s promised return (Matthew 25:31–45)

This sign of the cross will be in the heavens when the Lord comes to judge. Then all the servants of the cross, who during life made themselves one with the Crucified, will draw near with great trust to Christ, the Judge. Why then do you fear to take up the cross when through it you can win a kingdom? In the cross is salvation, in the cross is life, in the cross is protection from enemies, in the cross is infusion of heavenly sweetness, in the cross is strength of mind, in the cross is joy of spirit, in the cross is highest virtue, in the cross is perfect holiness. There is no salvation of soul nor hope of everlasting life but in the cross.

Venerable Bede on Mary’s anointing of Jesus (Mark 14:3–9)

What Mary once did as a type, the entire church and every perfect soul should do always. We anoint our Lord’s head when we cherish the glory of his divinity along with that of his humanity with the worthy sweetness of faith, hope, and charity, and when we spread the praise of his name by living uprightly. We anoint our Lord’s feet when we renew his poor by a word of consolation so that they may not lose hope when they are under duress. We wipe the feet of these same ones with our hair when we share some of what is superfluous to us to alleviate the wants of the needy.

John Chrysostom on Jesus washing his disciples’ feet (John 13:1–17)

Observe how not only by the washing but also in another way Christ exhibits humility. For it was not before reclining, but after they had all sat down, then he arose. In the next place, he does not merely wash them, but he does so after taking off his garments. And he did not even stop here, but he girded himself with a towel. Nor was he satisfied with this, but himself filled the basin and did not ask another to fill it. He did all these things himself, showing by all of them that we must do such things when we are engaged in well doing, not merely for the sake of appearance but with every effort.

John Cassian on Jesus calling his disciples friends (John 15:9–17)

“I have called you friends, because I have revealed to you everything I heard from my Father.” And once more, “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” You see then that there are different stages of perfection and that we are called by the Lord from high things to still higher in such a way that he who has become blessed and perfect in the fear of God—going, as it is written, “from strength to strength” (Ps 84:7 nkjv) and from one perfection to another, that is, mounting with an eager soul from fear to hope—is summoned in the end to that still more blessed stage, which is love.

Charles Spurgeon on Jesus’ prayer at Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36–46)

We learn a great deal from the instructive characteristics of our Savior’s prayer during this time of severe trial. The first thing to note is that it was lonely prayer, for he withdrew from even his three most favored disciples. Christ’s prayer also was humble prayer. If this is the Master’s position, what should be yours as his humble servant? His prayer also was filial prayer, prayer befitting a child of the Father. By pleading your adoption as his child, you will find a fortress of protection through your times of trial. So do not be afraid to say, “My Father” (26:39), “Hear my cry for help. Pay attention to my prayer” (Ps 61:1).

Ambrose on Jesus’ crucifixion (Mark 15:33–41)

Mark 15:33–41 As being man he is amazed. Neither his power nor his Godhead is amazed, but his soul; he is amazed by consequence of having taken human infirmity upon him. Seeing, then, that he took upon himself a soul he also took the affections of a soul, for God could not have been distressed or have died in respect of his being God. Finally, he cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” As being man therefore he speaks, bearing with him my terrors, for when we are in the midst of dangers we think ourself abandoned by God. As man therefore he is distressed, as man he weeps, as man he is crucified.

Martin Luther on the women’s encounter with the angels (Matthew 28:1–10)

The angels remind the women that Christ had earlier told them about these events, but they did not believe or understand him. Such a message is certain proof that although the angels are totally pure and holy spirits and we are only poor sinners, nevertheless they do not shun or despise us but rather want to be good friends with us. And the angels come with two commands: The first is that the women should not be frightened by their appearance; the other command is that they should quickly go forth and announce the resurrection to the disciples. We should be very glad in both these parts, for the angel says first, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised.”

Augustine on the meaning of the empty tomb (Mark 16:1–8)

He came down, he took upon himself, he endured, he vanquished, he restored. He came down from the throne of God to wretched mortal: he took upon himself mortality; he endured affliction and pain and ignominy; he vanquished death, he restored mankind. Stand still, my soul, and with holy astonishment gaze on the series of wonders, this inestimable complication of mercies; consider the greatness of his love.

Insights from Church History for Every Chapter of the Bible

The readings above quoted in the Timeless Truths Bible. This devotional Bible invites you to hear from the saints from centuries past with devotional length insights for every chapter of Scripture, text from the creeds and confessions of our faith, artwork inspired by God’s Word, and more. Be encouraged as you discover fresh insights from ancient words, and grow as you experience the unchanging, timeless truth of Scripture.