When Christ entered hell law of sin and death was set aside so that mercy could triumph.

Jim Casy’s dying words echo those of our Lord: “Father, forgive them, Father, they know not what they do.”

On this night, when Jesus has nothing left to give, he gives all. He gives his very self.

I was the Jewish equivalent of a Christmas-and-Easter Christian. Then I met Jesus on the trail.

We should see this passage as early Jewish Christians recognizing their own, internal dividedness.

Easter is also a reminder, one we do need, that bad news is never the last word.