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5 days ago | 
thegospelcoalition.org | Justin Dillehay
Today has traditionally been referred to as “Holy Saturday,” the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. We all know what happened to Jesus’s body after he died. For the remainder of Good Friday and all of Holy Saturday, it was laid in a borrowed tomb, where it kept Sabbath for a brief time before being raised on Easter Sunday. But as with all other human beings, there was more to Jesus than just his body. What about his soul (or spirit)?
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1 week ago | 
thegospelcoalition.org | Justin Dillehay
Most people run from danger. After all, what could be more instinctive than self-preservation? That’s why we usually reserve words like “hero” for those who deliberately walk into danger for the sake of others. Firefighters. Soldiers. Police officers. People who know they might suffer—even die—but who answer the call anyway because it’s what they signed up for. But this Holy Week, we celebrate the Hero of all heroes on his final journey to Jerusalem.
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2 months ago | 
theaquilareport.com | Justin Dillehay
Our justification depends not only on Christ’s death for its foundation but also on his life for its continuation (Romans 5:10). The reason you can’t be condemned is that you not only have a bleeding atonement, but you also have a living Advocate (1 John 2:1–2). There’s a well-known hymn by E.E. Hewitt called “My Faith Has Found a Resting Place.” You’ve probably sung it.
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2 months ago | 
thegospelcoalition.org | Justin Dillehay
I need no other argument,I need no other plea,It is enough that Jesus died,And that he died for me. It’s a statement that’s glorious and beautiful—and false if misunderstood. Do we have no other argument? Is there nothing else Jesus did that provides our faith with a resting place? Don’t get me wrong. Rightly understood, the chorus is perfectly biblical. From the cross, we hear Jesus say, “It is finished” (John 19:30). And Romans 5:9 tells us we’re “justified by his blood” (cf. 1 Cor. 2:2).
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Jan 23, 2025 | 
thegospelcoalition.org | Justin Dillehay
When we think of “Gospel narratives,” we naturally think of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. After all, they’re the main accounts we have of Jesus’s life. For sustained focus on Jesus and his ministry, there’s nothing like the four Gospels. But one book comes close: Hebrews. It’s not written as a narrative, yet it recounts so many stages in the story of Jesus that at times it’s almost like having a fifth Gospel.
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Nov 20, 2024 | 
thegospelcoalition.org | Justin Dillehay
When you think about heaven, what do you most look forward to? Having your body redeemed and being free from pain and suffering? Being reunited with friends and family? Or perhaps finding out what it’s like to “ride a drop of rain” (as one country song muses)? Scripture has much to say about the joys that await those who love God.
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Jun 3, 2024 | 
thegospelcoalition.org | Justin Dillehay |Tim Keller |Edmund P. Clowney |Matt Lietzen
At first glance, Abraham’s conversation with God in Genesis 18 may seem like one of the oddest stories in Scripture. Abraham haggling with God over the destruction of Sodom—and God negotiating the terms of judgment with a mere man? It’s a story I’d never have been bold enough to make up. On reflection, however, I suggest this scene (like all Scripture) is profitable for training in righteousness, particularly in the area of prayer.
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Apr 14, 2024 | 
thegospelcoalition.org | Russell Meek |Justin Dillehay |Joe Carter |Trevin Wax
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” We prime our children with this question almost from the beginning, urging them to envision themselves as doctors or lawyers, firefighters or police officers. “What do you do?” That’s the easiest go-to question when we meet a new person. Based on the answer, we make an array of assumptions about a person’s worth in the world. Advertise on TGCI know a guy who farms maggots.
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Apr 12, 2024 | 
thegospelcoalition.org | Duke Dillard |Justin Dillehay |Brett McCracken |Caleb Batchelor
My mom loved retelling a conversation she overheard between me and my best friend when I was 5 years old. Mark had just found out how babies were born and was eager to enlighten me. After hearing his version, I shook my head, gave a big “Nuh uh!” and proceeded to set him straight: “My mom and dad lined up all the babies in the world and chose me.”At that young age, I had a positive view of adoption. Years later, I realized I was blind to what was going on underneath.
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Apr 12, 2024 | 
thegospelcoalition.org | Sam Martyn |Justin Dillehay |Brett McCracken |Caleb Batchelor
Before our family arrived at our assignment to serve alongside an indigenous church in Central Asia, missionary colleagues advised us to stay in the background as we learned the language and culture. They encouraged us to focus on serving—cleaning toilets, mopping floors, taking elderly members to the hospital. We should adopt a learner’s posture, being slow to share our ideas and opinions.
