As I write this, I find myself caught up in a couple of different things…

First, as we approach Easter, I’m thinking more about the final week of Jesus’ life. Of course, a big part of that is because it’s what we have been looking at in our Community Group Study this semester – Journey to the Cross. It’s also been our focus on Sunday mornings. It’s been powerful, to say the least.

Because we have spent so much time looking at this week in Jesus’ life, I think these events and the person of Jesus have impacted me in deeper, richer ways, perhaps, than ever before.

I confess that when I read the Gospels, I don’t spend as much time in this part of the story as I probably should. I tend to focus more on Jesus’ teachings, the miracles, conversations he had with all kinds of people, and his healing ministry. And that’s all well and good. But if I’m honest, I only really lock in on Jesus’ final days during Holy Week and Easter.

But did you know that the Gospels devote a whopping 30%-40% percent of their writings on Jesus’ final week – on his death and resurrection?

As we’ve camped out there together these past months, I have found myself noticing things I never have before as Jesus resolutely turns to the cross.

Mainly, I’ve seen what I can only call a relentlessness to God’s grace. Through every insult he received, every threat, every put-down, every taunt, every betrayal, God’s grace just keeps coming. In Jesus’ unjust trial by the religious establishment, God’s grace keeps coming. When he is betrayed by one friend, denied by another, and abandoned by them all, God’s grace keeps coming. When he’s beaten and bloody, hanging from the cross, asking the Father to “forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing,” God’s grace keeps coming. It’s relentless. Wave after wave. It doesn’t stop.

Which brings me to my second obsession these days. As I write this, I’ve got a pretty good case of ‘March Madness’, caught up in the excitement of following the Razorback Men’s Basketball team playing its way through the NCAA Tournament.

When I watch these games, I often find myself re-living the magic of winning the national championship in 1994 (I know. It’s been THAT long!). The most remarkable thing about that ‘94 team, and all of Nolan Richardson’s teams for that matter, was its aggressive, unwavering defense. It just kept coming. Never giving up. Wave after wave. Relentless.

It’s a wonderful picture of God’s grace, revealing a God who stops at nothing to reach and transform every life, every person.

In fact, when John introduces us to Jesus in his Gospel, he talks about this. He says… “For from his (Jesus’) fullness we have all received grace upon grace.” (John 1:16) I love that phrase – “grace upon grace”!

God’s grace is the Razorbacks’ defense, circa 1994.