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To the Cross: Proclaiming the Gospel from the Upper Room to Calvary
The cross is good news for us today.
With the expertise of a veteran biblical scholar and the wisdom of a seasoned pastor, Christopher Wright skillfully guides us on Jesus' journey from the Last Supper to the cross. Through the lens of the Old Testament, Wright navigates the Gospel accounts of events that include the meal in the upper room, Peter's denials, the taunts and jeers of soldiers and bystanders, and the anguish of crucifixion, inviting us to meditate on their significance for us.
Jesus' death on the cross offers us the forgiveness that Jesus prayed for, and through his resurrection we can know redemption. This is good news!
Adapted from sermons Wright preached at All Souls Church in London, these chapters are perfect for personal study and reflection. The book includes an appendix for pastors preparing to teach and preach on these passages, offering insight on sermon preparation as well as helpful commentary.
With the expertise of a veteran biblical scholar and the wisdom of a seasoned pastor, Christopher Wright skillfully guides us on Jesus' journey from the Last Supper to the cross. Through the lens of the Old Testament, Wright navigates the Gospel accounts of events that include the meal in the upper room, Peter's denials, the taunts and jeers of soldiers and bystanders, and the anguish of crucifixion, inviting us to meditate on their significance for us.
Jesus' death on the cross offers us the forgiveness that Jesus prayed for, and through his resurrection we can know redemption. This is good news!
Adapted from sermons Wright preached at All Souls Church in London, these chapters are perfect for personal study and reflection. The book includes an appendix for pastors preparing to teach and preach on these passages, offering insight on sermon preparation as well as helpful commentary.
142 pages, Paperback
Published March 7, 2017
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About the author
Christopher J.H. Wright
102 books211 followersChristopher J.H. Wright, (born 1947) is a Anglican clergyman and an Old Testament scholar. He is currently the director of Langham Partnership International. He was the principal of All Nations Christian College. He is an honorary member of the All Souls Church, Langham Place in London, UK.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 20, 2020
In this book, Christopher Wright looks at passages from each of the four gospels that describe Jesus' journey from the last supper to the final cry on the cross. It is compiled from five different sermons that Wright gave as part of the preaching team at All Souls Langham Place in London. Each chapter is a sermon and they read like sermons, with an introduction, exposition and application. Some chapters are better than others, with my favorite being "It is Finished" from John 19. As an Old Testament scholar Wright connects each passage with the larger narrative of scripture which has particularly power in his sermon on Luke. He shows how Luke hints at larger themes from the O.T. even as he chronicles the path to crucifixion. As an added bonus for preachers and teachers, Wright has a final chapter about how he prepared and preached each sermon. I found this very helpful.
March 16, 2017
After years of producing quality mid-sized commentaries, Christopher Wright has shown himself adept at writing fine sermons with helpful devotional material. In fact, this is his third such title in the last several months. One of those other titles was also by IVP and entitled Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit. This latest volume called To the Cross is just in time for Easter.
One of the things that I especially noticed in this volume is how well Mr. Wright follows in the footsteps of his mentor, John Stott. I mean that as a sincere compliment that it is. In this exposition, he brings the story of the last days of Jesus to life. The sermons are warm, thoughtful, insightful, and touching.
His first sermon is on the Last Supper. I appreciate how he tied the blood of the covenant to this story. The next sermon on Peter’s denial was even better. He showed how failure was a part of Peter’s life and how that Jesus knew those failures and could handle them. The sermon on insults and paradise highlighted the people around the cross and described how Jesus’ last three temptations were so full of irony. He ended the sermon with two of the sayings of Christ on the cross. The last two sermons covering Jesus’ sufferings on the cross were gripping. He brought that to life far better than most I’ve seen. The sermons were over by page 108 and make outstanding devotional reading for Easter.
I was surprised to find the appendix where he talked about the process of preparing these sermons. It’s like a nice bonus, especially for younger preachers, who can greatly glean from surveying the methods of an effective preacher like Mr. Wright.
This book deserves to find a large audience. Every reader would have to be blessed by what they find on these pages. You won’t regret the time spent reading this fine book.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
One of the things that I especially noticed in this volume is how well Mr. Wright follows in the footsteps of his mentor, John Stott. I mean that as a sincere compliment that it is. In this exposition, he brings the story of the last days of Jesus to life. The sermons are warm, thoughtful, insightful, and touching.
His first sermon is on the Last Supper. I appreciate how he tied the blood of the covenant to this story. The next sermon on Peter’s denial was even better. He showed how failure was a part of Peter’s life and how that Jesus knew those failures and could handle them. The sermon on insults and paradise highlighted the people around the cross and described how Jesus’ last three temptations were so full of irony. He ended the sermon with two of the sayings of Christ on the cross. The last two sermons covering Jesus’ sufferings on the cross were gripping. He brought that to life far better than most I’ve seen. The sermons were over by page 108 and make outstanding devotional reading for Easter.
I was surprised to find the appendix where he talked about the process of preparing these sermons. It’s like a nice bonus, especially for younger preachers, who can greatly glean from surveying the methods of an effective preacher like Mr. Wright.
This book deserves to find a large audience. Every reader would have to be blessed by what they find on these pages. You won’t regret the time spent reading this fine book.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
September 3, 2017
Five sermons from the gospel crucifixion narratives. These are all fine sermons on the cross-work of Christ, and well worth reading. The second one, on Peter's failure I found both particularly poignant and helpful. It reminds us that the Christian life is filled much more with obvious failure than with obvious success. Christian failure is a fact, but God foresees it, forgives it, and even uses it in the continuation of his saving work. There is also a very useful appendix by Wright on the preparation of these sermons. In twenty-four pages or so, he gives a fine lesson in the preparation and preaching of sermons. I would recommend the book for the appendix alone, even if the sermons weren't as good as they are.
April 15, 2017
Solid book to walk though during Holy Week reminding us of Christ work leading up to the Cross.
July 3, 2021
I just finished "To The Cross," by Christopher J.H. Wright.
I began to read "Theological Worlds" but it was quite boring. So I grabbed "God and Human Suffering: An Exercise the Theology of the Cross," the next on my short stack. It wasnt good. The next was a book I happened to buy was on the Trinity. Upon inspection I noticed that the name of the publisher happened to have a Indian name. Fearing a mystic I read the intro. Yep. So I tossed it when the writer started shouting out Richard Rohr along with a bunch a gents who sounded like gurus. That was my first 0-3 drop.
This book, though, has been a delight. It is composed of four sermons "proclaiming the Gospel from the upper room to Calvary."
The first brought out some amazing things historically about the passover: the meal, the prayers, the songs. Really, what amazed me was Wright's stating how when Jesus said "this is my blood..." He probably would have been holding the third of four cups of wine representing Gods redemption. When He later says that "I will not drink the wine again until I drink it in my Father's Kingdom" He would probably have been holding the fourth cup of wine which echoed Ex. 6:7 "I will take you as my people/I will be your God," which in this context would have eschatological implications. This first sermon was rich.
The second focuses on Peter's denial. And the first point is to give Peter some props because he is the only one who was there to deny Jesus, the rest had split. Wright here brings out a keen observation that when Peter denies Jesus John is there beside him. Yet, it seems, John doesnt follow suit.
The third sermon deals with prophecy and the cross. He handles the cry of dereliction well pointing to the quoting of its beginning means the proclamation of victory at the end. Wright contrast the thief's words--we are justly punished, he is innocent--with Isiah's suffering servant; here both have a substitution undertone. Wright strikes a line between the desert temptation and the temptations on the cross: if you are the Son of God; let him save himself; save us; if he is the Messiah; if he is King of the Kews; arent you the Messiah?
Good observation: when the thief said "save yourself and us," the whole point was that it couldnt be both, either He would save Himself or us, but it couldnt be both.
In dealing with Jesus' "Father forgive them
..." Wright says this is unprecedented. While there have previously been times we can strike a line from Ps. 22 to the cross or from the Old Testament to any other number of things Jesus said or did, this we can not. David called for no mercy on the one who insulted him and then he told Solomon to take revenge once David was dead. Jeremiah did say to pray for Babylon but forgive? Never. Jesus asks for his killers to be forgiven. This goes against the Jewish example in the Maccabeeian revolt, and it goes against the Old Testament example, but Jesus "transcends them and prays for His executioners, 'Father forgive them,'" p 67. A good, scripturally literate Jew would have gone to the cross calling down fire and curses on Rome, and no one would have blamed him.
Interesting, the thief's "remember me" is a common request. It has been found chiselled in Jewish tombstones from this era. It was a request from a creature to the Creator, that when the last day, the day of resurrection comes, to "remember me, Yahweh, dont leave me in the tomb." Keen eye for the thief.
In his fourth sermon Wright speaks to some of the parallels between the Crucifixion and the rest of scripture. Specifically he talked about the sun growing dark for three hours parallels the second to the last plague of Egypt where the land was dark for three days. The final plague was the death of the firstborn son. Here the words of the Baptist are even more profound: "behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." All good Jews would have known he had his motifs and holidays messed up: the scapegoat (day of atonement) takes away sin and the lambs blood on the doorframe is the mechanism that makes the death angel pass over (Passover) the house.
An interesting note, when one thinks of the cry of dereliction from Ps. 22:1, one should really think about vs 31 (He has done it.) And then liik at Jesus' own words, "It is finished." That does fit beautifully.
Sermon five. This is good so far. Wright begins by stating how John records the back to back "Telos" statements by Jesus: "...knowing everything had been finished," "...scripture would be fulfilled...," "...it is finished." He points out the irony of the one who said "come to me all who thirst" now saying "I thirst." Wright believes that Jesus saying "I thirst" followed by John saying that Christs words were "according to scripture" points to the 22nd Psalms. I dont disagree at all. Between Ps. 22 and Is. 53 there is Crucifixion material for days.
Adding some meat to Jesus "It is finished," Wright says that in Gods redemptive plan the cross means:
Sin should be punished and sinners forgiven
Evil should be defeated and humanity liberated
That death should be destroyed, and life and immorality brought to light
That enemies should be reconciled to one another and to God
That the whole of creation should be restored to its creator (p 97)
Check this out, Wright says that "it is finished" is just TELOS in Greek. TELOS is the very gospel of King Jesus. TELOS is all the above finding fruition in Jesus death. TELOS--it is finished--is the very good news of what God has done for man by becoming the Godman. It is not what you can do for God, because you really cant do anything. It is the very completion, the goal, the achievement--TELOS--on the cross that is God saving you. #5 is a powerful sermon.
I wanted to take a second to address a point Wright makes in his fifth sermon. He speaks about how some have an aversion to penal substitution because it puts the Father against the Son. I agree this is correct. But this aversion is not, in my opinion, arrived at in a vacuum. It is a reflex because of the way penal substitution has often been presented. It has been presented in a way that makes a coherent Christology impossible while affirming a strong trinitarian ground. I believe the problem is not in the heirs of Abelard and Aulen, but in Calvin, Edward's et al. Wright presents a very good and beautiful substitution atonement.
This was a good thin book.
I began to read "Theological Worlds" but it was quite boring. So I grabbed "God and Human Suffering: An Exercise the Theology of the Cross," the next on my short stack. It wasnt good. The next was a book I happened to buy was on the Trinity. Upon inspection I noticed that the name of the publisher happened to have a Indian name. Fearing a mystic I read the intro. Yep. So I tossed it when the writer started shouting out Richard Rohr along with a bunch a gents who sounded like gurus. That was my first 0-3 drop.
This book, though, has been a delight. It is composed of four sermons "proclaiming the Gospel from the upper room to Calvary."
The first brought out some amazing things historically about the passover: the meal, the prayers, the songs. Really, what amazed me was Wright's stating how when Jesus said "this is my blood..." He probably would have been holding the third of four cups of wine representing Gods redemption. When He later says that "I will not drink the wine again until I drink it in my Father's Kingdom" He would probably have been holding the fourth cup of wine which echoed Ex. 6:7 "I will take you as my people/I will be your God," which in this context would have eschatological implications. This first sermon was rich.
The second focuses on Peter's denial. And the first point is to give Peter some props because he is the only one who was there to deny Jesus, the rest had split. Wright here brings out a keen observation that when Peter denies Jesus John is there beside him. Yet, it seems, John doesnt follow suit.
The third sermon deals with prophecy and the cross. He handles the cry of dereliction well pointing to the quoting of its beginning means the proclamation of victory at the end. Wright contrast the thief's words--we are justly punished, he is innocent--with Isiah's suffering servant; here both have a substitution undertone. Wright strikes a line between the desert temptation and the temptations on the cross: if you are the Son of God; let him save himself; save us; if he is the Messiah; if he is King of the Kews; arent you the Messiah?
Good observation: when the thief said "save yourself and us," the whole point was that it couldnt be both, either He would save Himself or us, but it couldnt be both.
In dealing with Jesus' "Father forgive them
..." Wright says this is unprecedented. While there have previously been times we can strike a line from Ps. 22 to the cross or from the Old Testament to any other number of things Jesus said or did, this we can not. David called for no mercy on the one who insulted him and then he told Solomon to take revenge once David was dead. Jeremiah did say to pray for Babylon but forgive? Never. Jesus asks for his killers to be forgiven. This goes against the Jewish example in the Maccabeeian revolt, and it goes against the Old Testament example, but Jesus "transcends them and prays for His executioners, 'Father forgive them,'" p 67. A good, scripturally literate Jew would have gone to the cross calling down fire and curses on Rome, and no one would have blamed him.
Interesting, the thief's "remember me" is a common request. It has been found chiselled in Jewish tombstones from this era. It was a request from a creature to the Creator, that when the last day, the day of resurrection comes, to "remember me, Yahweh, dont leave me in the tomb." Keen eye for the thief.
In his fourth sermon Wright speaks to some of the parallels between the Crucifixion and the rest of scripture. Specifically he talked about the sun growing dark for three hours parallels the second to the last plague of Egypt where the land was dark for three days. The final plague was the death of the firstborn son. Here the words of the Baptist are even more profound: "behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." All good Jews would have known he had his motifs and holidays messed up: the scapegoat (day of atonement) takes away sin and the lambs blood on the doorframe is the mechanism that makes the death angel pass over (Passover) the house.
An interesting note, when one thinks of the cry of dereliction from Ps. 22:1, one should really think about vs 31 (He has done it.) And then liik at Jesus' own words, "It is finished." That does fit beautifully.
Sermon five. This is good so far. Wright begins by stating how John records the back to back "Telos" statements by Jesus: "...knowing everything had been finished," "...scripture would be fulfilled...," "...it is finished." He points out the irony of the one who said "come to me all who thirst" now saying "I thirst." Wright believes that Jesus saying "I thirst" followed by John saying that Christs words were "according to scripture" points to the 22nd Psalms. I dont disagree at all. Between Ps. 22 and Is. 53 there is Crucifixion material for days.
Adding some meat to Jesus "It is finished," Wright says that in Gods redemptive plan the cross means:
Sin should be punished and sinners forgiven
Evil should be defeated and humanity liberated
That death should be destroyed, and life and immorality brought to light
That enemies should be reconciled to one another and to God
That the whole of creation should be restored to its creator (p 97)
Check this out, Wright says that "it is finished" is just TELOS in Greek. TELOS is the very gospel of King Jesus. TELOS is all the above finding fruition in Jesus death. TELOS--it is finished--is the very good news of what God has done for man by becoming the Godman. It is not what you can do for God, because you really cant do anything. It is the very completion, the goal, the achievement--TELOS--on the cross that is God saving you. #5 is a powerful sermon.
I wanted to take a second to address a point Wright makes in his fifth sermon. He speaks about how some have an aversion to penal substitution because it puts the Father against the Son. I agree this is correct. But this aversion is not, in my opinion, arrived at in a vacuum. It is a reflex because of the way penal substitution has often been presented. It has been presented in a way that makes a coherent Christology impossible while affirming a strong trinitarian ground. I believe the problem is not in the heirs of Abelard and Aulen, but in Calvin, Edward's et al. Wright presents a very good and beautiful substitution atonement.
This was a good thin book.
April 18, 2019
In To the Cross, Christopher Wright has collected sermons he preached at All Souls Church on various texts regarding Jesus' final week. These sermons are well-written, easily accessible, and insightful. A number of Wright's points were powerful and impactful. For example, he emphasizes how the mocking thief tells Jesus to save himself and us, but Wright points out that this was precisely something Jesus could not do, since saving others meant giving up himself. Certainly the weakest part of Wright's book is the insufficient clarity and precision in which he tries to speak of the separation of the Father and Jesus at the cross (78-79), something he seems to then more properly deny in the next sermon when he says there can be no separation between Father and Son in the outpouring of God's wrath on sin (100-101). Overall, however, I found this to be an excellent resource to read for Lent devotionals and I highly recommend it.
April 18, 2025
A very good book and a great read for Holy Week. Five strong chapters on different sequences leading up to and during the Crucifixion, covering the immediate scripture, the background, and the eternal implications of the sequence. Each chapter is essentially a sermon Wright preached at All Souls Church in London before Easter. What a privilege to digest these in a quiet place.
The book includes a unique appendix in which Wright walks thru his own preparation for each of the sermons. This is a very personable way for each of us to interact with the author. Well done, IVP!
April 18, 2025. Good Friday. Just finished reading this book again. Really treasured the thought provoking and deep exploration of Holy Week, from the last supper with the disciples, to the last words from the cross.
Oh what a Savior!
The book includes a unique appendix in which Wright walks thru his own preparation for each of the sermons. This is a very personable way for each of us to interact with the author. Well done, IVP!
April 18, 2025. Good Friday. Just finished reading this book again. Really treasured the thought provoking and deep exploration of Holy Week, from the last supper with the disciples, to the last words from the cross.
Oh what a Savior!
August 1, 2019
Excellent examination of the events leading up to and including Good Friday. Based on sermons by Christopher J. H. Wright at All Soul's Church in London, the book is theologically rich, warmly written and challenging. I have enjoyed meaty but accessible books from InterVarsity Press for years, and this is another winner.
March 25, 2017
Christopher J. H. Wright is International Ministries director of the Langham Partnership and the author of numerous books related to global missions, the Old Testament, and the people of God. Wright is both a veteran scholar and a seasoned pastor, and his most recent book offers readers a wonderful glimpse into the intersection of the former with the latter.
To the Cross: Proclaiming the Gospel from the Upper Room to Calvary is a collection of sermons Wright preached at All Souls Church, Langham Place, London. These five sermons guide the reader from the Lord’s Supper to the crucifixion (The Last Supper – Matt. 26:17-30; Peter’s Denial – Matt. 26:69-75; Insults and Paradise – Luke 23:26-43; From Darkness to Light – Mark 15:33-39; It is Finished – John 19:28-37). As expected, Wright provides an excellent example of what it looks like to blend Old Testament insight with a New Testament declaration of the Cross of Christ. Wright likewise does an exceptional job illustrating the major points of the text for the reader.
There is much to be praised about this volume. First and foremost, Wright is a brilliant scholar, and his sensitivity to the broader biblical narrative consistently informs his exposition. There are more insights in this volume, and thus the five sermons preached than most pastors would be able to feed to their congregation over the course of a year. Second, Wright has provided readers a glimpse into his preparatory work in the form of an appendix. For those interested in workflow and preparation tips, this appendix will be a joy to read. Finally, not only is Wright readable and engaging, but he captivates the heart with nearly every page. I could only imagine the impact of these sermons being preached live, but I am forever thankful they have been made available in print.
To the Cross: Proclaiming the Gospel from the Upper Room to Calvary by Christopher J. H. Wright is an excellent example of why there is still so much wonder available to captivate the hearts of believers in the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion. This is not only an ideal book for the Lenten season or Holy Week; it is easily on the of the most important. Outside of the Bible, if you plan on digesting anything this season, I would highly recommend this new one by Christopher J. H. Wright.
To the Cross: Proclaiming the Gospel from the Upper Room to Calvary is a collection of sermons Wright preached at All Souls Church, Langham Place, London. These five sermons guide the reader from the Lord’s Supper to the crucifixion (The Last Supper – Matt. 26:17-30; Peter’s Denial – Matt. 26:69-75; Insults and Paradise – Luke 23:26-43; From Darkness to Light – Mark 15:33-39; It is Finished – John 19:28-37). As expected, Wright provides an excellent example of what it looks like to blend Old Testament insight with a New Testament declaration of the Cross of Christ. Wright likewise does an exceptional job illustrating the major points of the text for the reader.
There is much to be praised about this volume. First and foremost, Wright is a brilliant scholar, and his sensitivity to the broader biblical narrative consistently informs his exposition. There are more insights in this volume, and thus the five sermons preached than most pastors would be able to feed to their congregation over the course of a year. Second, Wright has provided readers a glimpse into his preparatory work in the form of an appendix. For those interested in workflow and preparation tips, this appendix will be a joy to read. Finally, not only is Wright readable and engaging, but he captivates the heart with nearly every page. I could only imagine the impact of these sermons being preached live, but I am forever thankful they have been made available in print.
To the Cross: Proclaiming the Gospel from the Upper Room to Calvary by Christopher J. H. Wright is an excellent example of why there is still so much wonder available to captivate the hearts of believers in the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion. This is not only an ideal book for the Lenten season or Holy Week; it is easily on the of the most important. Outside of the Bible, if you plan on digesting anything this season, I would highly recommend this new one by Christopher J. H. Wright.
October 17, 2021
To the Cross accomplishes exactly what its title claims - to take you to the cross. This book was a blessing to me. Daily, we need to be reminded of the cross, and this book helped me do so. Every time I picked it up, I was so excited. It is important to remember that the Gospels are a precious gift from God. They reveal who Jesus is. On the cross, Jesus willingly suffers torture and mockery for both my and your sins. God, who created the heavens and the earth, died for me and for you? Yes, he did! Then he rose again.
“The resurrection of the Messiah Jesus completed and confirmed all that God had accomplished through Christ’s death on the cross. It was the proof and vindication of all that Jesus had claimed and taught. It was God’s reversal of the verdict of the court that had condemned him to death. It was the beginning and guarantee of the new creation.” -Christopher J.H. Wright
“The resurrection of the Messiah Jesus completed and confirmed all that God had accomplished through Christ’s death on the cross. It was the proof and vindication of all that Jesus had claimed and taught. It was God’s reversal of the verdict of the court that had condemned him to death. It was the beginning and guarantee of the new creation.” -Christopher J.H. Wright
March 23, 2026
Christopher Wright does a great job of proclaiming the cross in such a short concise book. Great reflection read for gearing up towards Easter. I personally picked it up to read during lent an have been extremely moved. I think is accessible to any layperson. Great resource as well for the preacher.
1. “Because God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us.”
2. “Why stop trusting him now in the face of this latest failure, when you’ve trusted him to carry on th cross all the failures and sins of all your life.”
3. “God had said that the sins of Israel had pierced him.”
4. “But finally who pierced and nailed him to the tree. “Can we blame only the Jews who condemned him a the Romans who crucified him? Of course not.”
4/5 great read
1. “Because God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us.”
2. “Why stop trusting him now in the face of this latest failure, when you’ve trusted him to carry on th cross all the failures and sins of all your life.”
3. “God had said that the sins of Israel had pierced him.”
4. “But finally who pierced and nailed him to the tree. “Can we blame only the Jews who condemned him a the Romans who crucified him? Of course not.”
4/5 great read
March 17, 2026
This book contains five sermons preached by Wright during the Easter season. Each one is based on one text. Each sermon masterfully dives into the text and brings out truths that one might overlook. Each one is, obviously, committed to presenting Jesus and the events around the cross in a deliberate and faithful way. In my opinion, these sermons are masterpieces. The last chapter was interesting to me as he presents his process for writing sermons. This is not a large book, but it is deep and wide! Highly recommended!
December 12, 2018
This is a rich set of sermons on the suffering and death of Christ. Well researched and solid Biblical material, I was blessed. Also the appendix is a bonus in which he reveals how he prepared the messages and gives tips on sermon preparation. The only down side might be the lack of personal application and illustrations. It would have been much more powerful with adding that personal touch to each message.
May 20, 2017
This book is an excellent collection of sermons on the cross of Christ. Highly recommended for spiritual reflection and meditation on the meaning of the cross.
December 6, 2018
Fairly good book.
June 24, 2021
Superb exegesis of the significance of the events and prophecies found in the Gospels.
March 28, 2017
Summary: Transcripts of five expository messages on gospel passages pertaining to the passion and death of Christ.
In the season of Lent, one of the things I try to do along with some kind of fast is to read some kind of reflection on the death and resurrection of Christ. This collection of five messages drawn from five passages representing all four of the canonical gospels met this goal perfectly and brought fresh light to familiar passages. In this case, the table of contents is helpful for seeing the ground Wright covers:
Preface
1. The Last Supper: Matthew 26:17-30
2. Peter's Denial: Matthew 26:69-75
3. Insults and Paradise: Luke 23:26-43
4. From Darkness to Light: Mark 15:33-39
5. It Is Finished: John 19:28-37
Appendix: Preparing to Proclaim
Acknowledgments
Notes
There were some fresh insights. Wright argues persuasively that Judas was probably seated in one of the two seats of honor, allowing John, in the other, to overhear the conversation Jesus has with him. It signifies the great love Jesus had for Judas, and the hope that even at this hour, Judas might be turned from betrayal
Wright summarizes Luke 23:26-43 in terms of "Four scenes full of scripture," "Three last temptations full of irony," and "Two last sayings full of hope" ("Father, forgive them" and "today you will be with me in paradise."). One sees here the strong heritage of biblical exposition at All Souls, Langham Place, where Wright preached these messages. This was the parish long served by John R. W. Stott, and Wright carries on this tradition in messages like these, as well as his work with the Langham Partnership dedicated to carrying on the work of John Stott in training ministers in biblical preaching.
A message that connected with me and may for many is his study of Peter's denial in Matthew 26:69-75. He helps us both see ourselves in Peter, and find hope. Here are a couple excerpts:
There, on the one hand, is Jesus—in danger of losing his life, and yet he stands firm under threats before the highest authorities in the land. And there, on the other hand, is Peter—in danger of probably not very much except embarrassment and possibly a bit of a beating, but he gives way in front of nothing more than a couple of servant girls.
There, on the one hand, is Jesus—put on oath to speak the truth about himself, and he does so. And there, on the other hand, is Peter—calling down oaths in order to deny the truth about himself and Jesus.
. . .
How do we respond, not only to what this story tells us about Peter, but also to what it tells us for ourselves? Why has Matthew reported it? Why have all the Gospels reported this story? I think it tells us three things, at the least: failure is a fact, failure is foreseen, and failure is forgiven.
There was one other insight that I had not thought about that Wright draws from the words of John 19:30, in the last message of this collection:
"John makes one last observation about the inner consciousness of Jesus: 'With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.' That is quite deliberate language. John means that Jesus did not just expire. He did not just lose consciousness. He did not even just lose his life. Jesus gave up his life. This was his moment, it was his active choice, and he was conscious of making that choice, finishing the task he had come to do."
You might have noted in the table of contents that there is an Appendix on "Preparing to Proclaim." In this section, Wright takes us into his study and shares both some general practices he uses in study and preparation of messages, and how he developed the outline and content of each particular message in this collection. Having prepared many messages, I enjoyed looking over the shoulder of another for what I could learn. Even if you do not preach, this will help you know something of the practices of any pastor who tries to carefully exposit scripture.
This is a great collection for personal reflection, group study, or for those who might give messages on some of these same texts. These messages take me from the last supper to the foot of the cross, and leave me in wonder and praise, saying, "Hallelujah, what a Savior!"
_____________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
In the season of Lent, one of the things I try to do along with some kind of fast is to read some kind of reflection on the death and resurrection of Christ. This collection of five messages drawn from five passages representing all four of the canonical gospels met this goal perfectly and brought fresh light to familiar passages. In this case, the table of contents is helpful for seeing the ground Wright covers:
Preface
1. The Last Supper: Matthew 26:17-30
2. Peter's Denial: Matthew 26:69-75
3. Insults and Paradise: Luke 23:26-43
4. From Darkness to Light: Mark 15:33-39
5. It Is Finished: John 19:28-37
Appendix: Preparing to Proclaim
Acknowledgments
Notes
There were some fresh insights. Wright argues persuasively that Judas was probably seated in one of the two seats of honor, allowing John, in the other, to overhear the conversation Jesus has with him. It signifies the great love Jesus had for Judas, and the hope that even at this hour, Judas might be turned from betrayal
Wright summarizes Luke 23:26-43 in terms of "Four scenes full of scripture," "Three last temptations full of irony," and "Two last sayings full of hope" ("Father, forgive them" and "today you will be with me in paradise."). One sees here the strong heritage of biblical exposition at All Souls, Langham Place, where Wright preached these messages. This was the parish long served by John R. W. Stott, and Wright carries on this tradition in messages like these, as well as his work with the Langham Partnership dedicated to carrying on the work of John Stott in training ministers in biblical preaching.
A message that connected with me and may for many is his study of Peter's denial in Matthew 26:69-75. He helps us both see ourselves in Peter, and find hope. Here are a couple excerpts:
There, on the one hand, is Jesus—in danger of losing his life, and yet he stands firm under threats before the highest authorities in the land. And there, on the other hand, is Peter—in danger of probably not very much except embarrassment and possibly a bit of a beating, but he gives way in front of nothing more than a couple of servant girls.
There, on the one hand, is Jesus—put on oath to speak the truth about himself, and he does so. And there, on the other hand, is Peter—calling down oaths in order to deny the truth about himself and Jesus.
. . .
How do we respond, not only to what this story tells us about Peter, but also to what it tells us for ourselves? Why has Matthew reported it? Why have all the Gospels reported this story? I think it tells us three things, at the least: failure is a fact, failure is foreseen, and failure is forgiven.
There was one other insight that I had not thought about that Wright draws from the words of John 19:30, in the last message of this collection:
"John makes one last observation about the inner consciousness of Jesus: 'With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.' That is quite deliberate language. John means that Jesus did not just expire. He did not just lose consciousness. He did not even just lose his life. Jesus gave up his life. This was his moment, it was his active choice, and he was conscious of making that choice, finishing the task he had come to do."
You might have noted in the table of contents that there is an Appendix on "Preparing to Proclaim." In this section, Wright takes us into his study and shares both some general practices he uses in study and preparation of messages, and how he developed the outline and content of each particular message in this collection. Having prepared many messages, I enjoyed looking over the shoulder of another for what I could learn. Even if you do not preach, this will help you know something of the practices of any pastor who tries to carefully exposit scripture.
This is a great collection for personal reflection, group study, or for those who might give messages on some of these same texts. These messages take me from the last supper to the foot of the cross, and leave me in wonder and praise, saying, "Hallelujah, what a Savior!"
_____________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
March 31, 2017
While I appreciated the messages in this book the part I found the most helpful is the author's explanation of how he prepared for each of the messages and how he laid out the sermons.
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May 2, 2017Five expository sermons that Wright preached in London during Easter. Each sermon follows Jesus during Holy Week (Last Supper to Crucifixion).
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