How Long Is the Night: A Biography of the Life of George Rodgers III

The objective of this book is to help you know Jesus better by a thoughtful and thorough consideration of his death on the cross. Whether you are on a search for who Jesus is, or are desiring to draw nearer to him, or both, this book is aimed at assisting you. Pondering the cross not only turns our hearts more toward Jesus, but it also causes our minds to see the infinite wisdom behind such an event. It is this divine wisdom which offers powerful evidence that the cross was the plan of God from the very beginnings of humanity.

The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus have always been, far and above, the central events of the Gospel. Concerning the resurrection Paul says to the Corinthians, "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile." Jesus' return from the dead and his many appearances to hundreds of disciples was the overwhelming proof that he truly was Messiah, Lord, Savior, and the Son of God. Without discounting the resurrection even a little bit, it was the cross, however, where Jesus fulfilled his calling from the Father.

Jesus always had a choice. His prayer in Gethsemane showed his desire to not have to face the cross, as well as his willingness to do the Father's will. If Jesus had said, "No, I'm not doing it," then evil would have won and his mission would have failed. He had to be the lamb before he would become the king. (In chapter three this idea is more thoroughly considered.) Thus, the necessity and centrality of the cross to Jesus' entire mission is a key fact of the Christian message. He was born to be crucified. Additionally, underneath the message of the cross lies a powerful testimony to the event being part of a divine plan that is beyond human wisdom. As C. S. Lewis points out, the perfect gift of His life, His perfect submission, perfect suffering and perfect death "were only possible because He was God." This is what these readings are focused upon the divine perfection of the cross.

In preparing these devotional readings it was my goal to no