1 Corinthians: Church's Hope

The Word of the Cross is

the foundation of the Church's hope

Text: 1 Corinthians 15

Outline:

A. 15:1-11, Resurrection of Christ

B. 15:12-30, Resurrection of the dead

C. 15:31-58, the Body of Resurrection

Comments: St. Paul concludes his epistle (apart from the final greetings) with laying the foundation for the Christian's hope. As he begins with the Crucified Lord, he ends with the message of the Lord Who was raised from the dead. The apostle delivers his message in three stages. He brings up the historicity of the resurrection of Jesus. His resurrection builds up the foundation of the Christian's theology – our resurrection. Then he goes even farther – he not only gives hope, we will be raised, following out LORD, he talks about the resurrection as the outcome of faithful life of a believer. These three stages are the 3 steps of the Biblical Waltz: foundation, filling, glorification (see Genesis 1:1-2).

A. Resurrection of Christ.

a. 15:1-2, unless you believe in vain

  b. 15:3-8, things of first importance

a'. 15:9-11, we preached and believed

St. Paul lays a foundation of Christian faith by drawing from two sources: Scripture and eyewitnesses. Both parts of his arguments form our New Testament Scriptures. It is important to note – we, being that far from the time and place of the Crucified and Risen LORD, can not interview the eyewitnesses. But the cool part – we don't need to. Luke, St. Paul etc. did the homework for us. St. Luke opens up his Gospel with the statement of his methodology (Luke 1:1-4). Then he follows with the Book of Acts, continuing with the same methodology (Acts 1:1-3). In the similar way St. Paul mentions Cephas, the 12, more than 500, James, the apostles, and Paul himself. Most of the people were still alive at the time of 1 Letter to Corinthians was written (1 Corinthians 15:6). It would be very easy to come up with the disclaimer of the Christian message – show the Body of Jesus and/or provide at least as many eyewitnesses the Church relies on who can state [under oath] that they saw the Body.

Also, Paul's bases his case for the resurrection of Jesus on the Scriptures. Which Scriptures? There is a number of Psalms (4, 11, 16, 23 etc.) which talk about life eternal with the LORD. Jesus Himself brought up the call of Moses as a biblical foundation for resurrection (Matthew 22:29-33).

B. Resurrection of the dead.

a. 15:12-19, If Christ was not raised from the dead

  b. 15:20-22, death came through one man, resurrection came through one man

    c. 15:23-25, He hands over the Kingdom to God the Father

  b'. 15:26-28, the last enemy to be destroyed is death

a'. 15:29-30, If dead are not raised

The resurrection of Christ gives the foundation for the resurrection of the dead. Our connection with Jesus runs both ways. We will follow Him, because He came for us. Jesus came to the world not in an angelic form, our in a form of a tree, rock or talking donkey. Not even in a form of great mother or Lady Wisdom. He came as a second Adam – He had to undo the damage done by the first Adam. The first one should've develop and protect the world and at the end submit the results to the Creator. He failed. That's why Jesus comes as the second Adam, follows through with all the aspects and stages of life, including death, to reconcile and transform the world, delivering it to the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24, 28). Jesus is risen! He is risen indeed! Therefore, our creed states we believe “in the resurrection of the dead.”

C. The Body of the Resurrection.

a. 15:31-32, in the LORD

  b. 15:33-34, Sin

    c. 15:35-43,death and resurrection

      d. 15:44-49, nature and spirit

    c'. 15:50-53, death and resurrection

  b'. 15:54-56, Sin

a'. 15:57-58, in the LORD

The resurrection of Jesus will lead to our life awaiting the resurrection of the dead. This live results in three major changes, First, based on the faithful convictions one is invited and encouraged to live a pious life fighting with sin (1 Corinthians 15:33-34, 54-56).

Second, St. Paul gets a assuming question: “With what kind of body do they [resurrected people] come?” (1 Corinthians 15:35). In the very elaborate answer he presents a case about our resurrection with the spiritual bodies. He calls it mystery (1 Corinthians 15:50-51) – something that we know only partially, we can talk about it with somewhat certainty, at the same time we rely on God's final authority and decision on the ultimate execution.

Third, Christians are waiting for the resurrection. Yet, while we await for the resurrection, we aren't to be lazy. Following our LORD Jesus, Who came as the second Adam, we are to beautify and protect the world in accordance with God's will, knowing that in the LORD our labor is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

The Twelve: St. James (Jacob)

St. James

Meaning of the name: James is actually Jacob – don't ask me why the translators changed it. Jacob means “holder of the heel” or “supplanter.” At some sense he can be seen as such – when Jesus comes to Peter's home, it was Andrew who accompanied the Lord (together with James and John). Yet, later on, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John, forming the triumvirate of the leadership in the Church (we already talked about humility and absolute lack of vengeance on Andrew's side).

Also, he and his brother John (Johanan) had a nickname “sons of thunder” (see on St. John). It can be a sign of reverence toward God or a character feature (or a bug). Honestly, I don't think it should be an “either... or” choice. His passion can be a helpful tool for the advanced discipleship (see on the Letter of James) or an emotion that leads to destruction (see on Samaritan village).

Life story: He is born to the family of Zebedee and Salome. Turns out, Salome was Mary's sister, which makes James [and John] to be a cousin of Jesus. Since he is always mentioned first in a pair with his brother, it would be safe to assume that he was the oldest one.

The Twelve: St. John

St. John

Meaning of the name: St. John had a Hebrew name Johanan, meaning “YHWH is gracious.” The name often appears in the list of priest before and after the Babylonian exile (Nehemiah 12:21-22 [cp. 12:10-11]). The Jews had a custom to keep the names within the family (cp. Luke 1:57-64). The fact of his potential priestly lineage will be important later.

Also, he and his brother James (Jacob) had a “title” sons of thunder. It can mean of their temperaments or ambitions (see later). It also can refer to the power of the voice, or a reverence for the LORD – for Psalm 29:3 describes Thunder as the voice of the LORD over waters. See also Exodus 19:19, 1 Samuel 7:10, and Revelation 11:19 – all of these places talk about thunder as a sign of God's presence.

Life story: He is a part of every major story with Jesus which made him one of the three pillars of the Church. Similarly to our lesson about St. Peter, we will pick just a handful stories that might paint a picture with large brush strokes.

Gospel of Mark: Resurrection

Resurrection of Jesus Christ

txt: Mark 16

Outline:

A. 16:1-8, Women at the tomb

  B1. 16:9-11, Appearance to Mary Magdalene

  B2. 16:12-13, Appearance to two disciples

  B3. 16:14-18, Appearance to the 11

C. 16:19-20, Ascension

Comments: We are at the very end of our journey through the Gospel of Mark. There are textual questions [some of the scholars believe (!) verses 9-20 are NOT part of the original text, they are wrong] – we will deal with them as we go.

The most important aspect of the Resurrection story – personal encounter of Jesus. He rose or was raised from the dead – it is a historical fact. There are many books and other resources dedicated to the issue. Yet, at the same time, it was not an easy shift of paradigm for the disciples of Jesus [who spent with Him years of following] to accept the truth of the resurrection. Therefore, we should not be surprised, when we share the story of Jesus and they – regardless of our factually strong arguments – do not believe. Keep praying for them. May the Lord of life in His mercy grant them seeing the reality, beauty, and grace of risen Jesus.

Also, the Gospel of Mark is a shorter version of the Gospel of Matthew and, probably, the Gospel of John. That's why the story of Mary Magdalene is SO short. That's why the appearance to the 11 has no “office of the keys” (unlike in the Gospel of John 20:19-23). One should read it together with the other Gospels to get the complete story.

Gospel of Mark: Jesus foretells His death and resurrection

Jesus foretells His death and resurrection

Text: 8:22 – 10:52

Outline:

A. 8:22-26, Jesus heals a blind man @ Bethsaida

 B. 8:27-30, Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ

  C. 8:31 – 9: 13, 1^st Foretelling of Jesus' death and resurrection + Transfiguration

   D. 9:14-29, Father with demon possessed son

    E. 9:30-50, 2^nd Foretelling of Jesus' death and resurrection + Who is greater?

   D'. 10:1-31, Family issues: divorce, little children, and rich YOUNG man

  C'. 10:32-34, 3^rd Foretelling of Jesus' death and resurrection

 B'. 10:35-45, James and John ask for positions at the throne of resurrected Christ

A'. 10:46-52, Healing of blind man – Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) @ Jericho

Comments: Since we have this long passage, I will divide it into three blocks. First we are going to talk about healing of the blind men. Then I will show the progression of Jesus' foretelling of His fate and the response He got from His disciples. Third, we will address some family issues. Transfiguration we will save for the next time – it is too important...

When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup

When we eat this bread and drink this cup

[Newsletter article for April 2026]

Dear brothers and sisters!

We begin this month with the Paschal Triduum. An observance of the Maundy Thursday, Good Friday through Easter Vigil to the Resurrection Day. All three of these dates and events are intertwine with each other and can not be separated by a simple dissection. We could not celebrate Easter unless Jesus came through the pangs of death on the Cross. At the same time, He wouldn't be on the Cross if Judas stayed in the Upper Room when the Savior instituted the Lord's Supper. The history is a clothing of the world events made without seams...

PSALM 30

Psalm 30

As a fan of structural analysis, I am happy to present a case where two (or even three) layouts are possible.

This is the way David A. Dorsey presents it:

a. 30:1, promise of praise, “rejoice”

 b. 30:2-3, report of appeal to God and rescue from the pit, “I cried… gone down” 

  c. 30:4-5, Statement of Yahweh’s favor (birshono)

   d. 30:6, Expression of confidence

  c’. 30:7, Statement of Yahweh’s favor (birshono)

 b’. 30:8-10, report of appeal to God and rescue from the pit, “I cried… gone down”

a’. 30:11-12, promise of praise, “joy”

Then in the footnote 23 Dorsey refers to Alden, “Chiastic Psalms”, 22 who presents nine part pattern.   

I see the parallel structure in the psalm:

a. 30:1, You drawn me up

 b. 30:2, I cried

  c. 30:3, You brought my soul from Sheol, go down to the pit

   d. 30:4, Sing praises and give thanks

    e. 30:5, His anger for a moment, His favor from a lifetime – turning point!

a’. 30:6-7, I shall not be moved by Your favor

 b’. 30:8, To You, O LORD, I cry

  c’. 30:9-10, death, going down to the pit

   d’. 30:11-12, Sing praise and give thanks    

I think, when Jesus was talking to His disciples about His death and resurrection referring to the Law of Moses (Torah), Prophets, and Psalms (Lk. 24:44-46), He was referring and/or using this psalm. One of the few that presented the picture of the One who ended up in Sheol, but YHWH brought “my soul” from it. So, it is not a death prevention psalm, it is a psalm of restoration (30:3).

This leads to singing of praises to YHWH and giving thanks to the His holy name. This demands a pause and slow reading. Think about this:

who represents (or wears) His holy name? Jesus – John 17:11-12.

Also, thanksgiving in Greek is eucharist.

Uniting these two points together we can say that Service of the Sacrament – is an act of thanksgiving of His holy name, the name of the One Who paid for our release from the fear of death with His own life. He descended into hell (cp. Apostle’s creed), He knows “firsthand” what death is all about but being sinless “death could not hold Him”, trotting a path for our re-union with the Creator.

This is even more reassured in v. 7 – He, the Creator, sustains our lives. Without Him we are dismayed.

But He is gracious and merciful, which is revealed in the following:  

vv. 8-12 We have two parts:

a. 8-10 – confessional part, when we cry for help

b. 11-12 – reversal part:  mourning into dancing

            Sackcloth into clothe of gladness

Concluding with glory, praise, and thanksgiving forever!

As a result, we can confidently say with the psalmist, described by Dr. Luther:

6. In My abundance I said, I shall never be moved. This can also be understood in the manner of that apostolic word: “Christ, rising from the dead, dies no more” (Rom. 6:9). And thus “abundance” signifies the glory of resurrection, where every kind of salvation beyond the prior life has abounded in Him. And because of this abundance He says that He will never be moved, that is, He will no longer die. And this is because the LORD God in His good pleasure “gave to My beauty (that is, beauty to humanity through the glory of the resurrection) “strength” not to die. See also Ps. 93:1: “The LORD has reigned, clothed with beauty; the LORD is clothed with strength” (LW, 10:138).     

 

NEWSLETTER: FINAL PUSH

FINAL PUSH

Dear brothers and sisters!

There are two factors that shape my newsletter article this month. On the one hand, we are at the beginning of April. At the same time, the celebration of the Resurrection of our LORD. Therefore, when we enter the time of April there are almost three more weeks ahead of us arriving at the time of Easter. So, our weeks can be compared to the final minute of any sport game regulated by time. First one that comes to my mind is Ice Hockey (I am sure you are shocked 😊). At the same time, it can be Super Bowl (or any football games), or a basketball tournament…  There is this moment when the win is very close, but there is need for the final push. Keep the defense line, keep pressing hard at the offense, not making fouls which might result in penalties in loosing people to the bench, or loosing points… So, final push.

First of all, we are in the process of ending Lent. This year we began our very special Evening services – services of Light. As the daylight time grows longer, we are blessed with a visual of keeping the sanctuary in a twilight while we sing “stay with us, LORD, for it is evening.” He, being the guiding light of our lives, leads us through the challenges which help Zion to mature.       

Then we will arrive at Holy Week, which begins with Palm Sunday. Many of you know how beautiful Zion looks during this Sunday- everyone is invited back to the Garden where God walks among us and talks to us in His Word. This “date” with God will be followed by Maundy Thursday – the celebration of the Lord’s Supper institution, when Christ is not only talking to us but also feeds us with Himself.    

Maundy Thursday opens the way to the victory of the Cross and Resurrection. There is a reason for St. Paul to exclaim: “we preach Christ crucified” (1 Corinthians 1:23) – Good Friday remembrance of Calvary lays the foundation for the Resurrection. These days in a close connection, making the final push of Lent particularly meaningful. It is not to us, but to Him be the glory (Psalm 115:1) – for we are nothing but the receivers of the benefits of His victory over death, sin, and the devil. Final push – let us get ready!  

THOUGHTS on SIN

 THOUGHTS on SIN

Romans 6 – INTRO

Middendorf comes up with a helpful table in his Romans commentary (Romans 1-8, CPH, 2013, p.441), an improved version is here:

Word	Earlier	5:12-21	6:1-23	7:1-25	8:1-13	8:14-39	latter	Total
Sin	4	6	16	15	5	0	2	48
Death	2	5	7	5	2	1	0	22
Law	35	3	2	23	5	0	6	73
Flesh/ mortal Body	4/2	0/0	1/2	3/2	13/3	0/1	5/3	26/13 =39

 

According to table the main theme for chapter 6 is sin which results in death. The final verse of the chapter summarizes it, connecting both terms together: for the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (6:23).

48=12*4 – square shape of 12 (tribes of Israel, apostles, etc.)

22 – number of letters in Hebrew alphabet – a complete basis for the Word. In connection with death might mean a complete sentence or judgement (cp. the structure of the Book of Lamentations).

So, what is sin? St. John says: sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4b). This reinforces what St. Paul wrote in the previous chapter – 5:13.

Both Hebrew and Greek words mean missing the mark. It might relate to the Garden story – how Adam and his wife missed the mark using the wrong tree for their spiritual growth (Gen. 2:25-3-7).

We can’t fix this – the eternal life that we get in Christ Jesus is a free gift (MS Word underlines this phase [free gift] as redundant). Question at hand – how God “brings us back to the trek” to the ways of the righteous? That’s our next lesson. 

Advent Readings: Luke 23

Luke 23

The chapter of trial and crucifixion. Or, even better, the chapter of trial, crucifixion, and burial. For all the elements are essential for the ministry of Messiah. So, let’s talk about the burial. Luke points out that Joseph from Arimathea buried Jesus in the tomb “where no one had ever yet been laid” (Luke 23:53). Jesus is the first who will use the tomb.

From the story of triumphant entrance to Jerusalem we know that the disciples prepared for Jesus a colt on which no one has ever yet sat (Luke 19:30).

Jesus was the firstborn of Mary, so He first was in the womb in which no one was placed before.

He invited Levi Matthew to be His disciples, no one else would offer a spiritual leadership to the one who served Roman occupational authorities…

There are other instances I can point out, but I hope you get my point – Jesus is the one Who goes first. That’s why we don’t need to be surprised when St. Paul writes: “and He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent” (Colossians 1:18).

I believe Mary had other sons and daughters (Mk. 6:3). I can’t imagine that the owners of the colt would mummify the poor animal and never use it again. I’m pretty sure they did. It is more than possible that the tomb was used by other people and Jesus emptied the space…

Same with the resurrection. He trod the path into eternal life for us. Now we should simply follow Him. Through our trials, our death and burial into resurrection. Thanks be to God!

Romans: Realization of Faith

Realization of Faith

Passage: 4:13-25

Structure:

a. 4:13-15, righteousness of faith

  b. 4:16-17a, father of many nations

    c. 4:17b, He who gives life to the death & calls into being what does not exist

  b’. 4:18-22, father of many nations

a’. 4:23-25, having faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ

Commentary:

We stay with the example of Abraham, but now St. Paul is bringing his point home. It is not an inheritance based on law, it is righteousness of faith that establishes our connection with the father of our faith Abraham.

The apostle gives two examples of believing in something that is considered impossible:

(1) Abraham’s faith did not weaken for the promise of having children being 99 years old, when his wife – Sarah – was about 90 years old.

(2) Jesus being raised from the dead.

Example of Abraham:

First one is a historical example of a man of faith. It has two parts: difficult and impossible.

It is difficult to get a 99 year old man “to get going.”

It is impossible to make a barren (lit. dead) womb to conceive.    

 

“Example” of Jesus, as the center point of our faith (4:23-25):

Raised from the dead (this is difficult, but happened before)

Delivered for our trespasses and raised for our justification (impossible) 

PSALM 16

PSALM 16

David between the Personification 
of Wisdom and Prophesy 
Vatican Museums 

This psalm is somewhat unique. It is quoted twice by the apostles. St. Peter uses the vv. 8-11 for a description of resurrection during his first sermon at the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:25-28). Later St. Paul addressing a synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia going into a teaching of resurrection as the corner stone of life, faith, and conduct (Acts 13:35). Both instances record a joyful reception of the message (cp. Acts 2:40-41 and 13:42).

 

There is an interesting word that can be addressed here. While New Testament text saved for us the term “Holy One” as a description of a person who will not see the corruption or the pit, the Hebrew text literally says the righteous one. Thou the saints are mentioned in v. 2 of the psalm, it is the righteous one who is preserved on the path through the doors of death. This does not change the meaning of the psalm but unites with the other passages of the Bible. One of these passages can be found in the Book of Habakkuk – the famous statement later used by St. Paul in the letter to Romans (1:17). It is the righteous who shall live by faith. Live forever as he is not going to see a complete separation from the Creator of life but a transformation of resurrection.

ACTS: Paul's visit to Troas

Paul’s visit to Troas

The Passage: Acts 20:3-14

Structure:

a. 20:3-6, Journey of Paul

 b. 20:7-8, he kept speaking until midnight

  c. 20:9, when he was picked up – he was dead

  c’. 20:10, don’t be alarmed – there life/soul in him

 b’. 20:11-12, long conversation until daybreak

a’. 20:13-14, Journey of Paul

Historical and geographical context:

Within the few verses we see a long travel of St. Paul, surrounded by many companions from different congregations: Berea, Thessalonica, Debre and other Asian territories. The last two places raise an interesting question: did they come from the Asia to meet him at Macedonia, or did they accompany him during the whole Third Missionary journey?     

In this lesson we also see new places mentioned – the ones that were not on the mission trajectory before (v. 13-14), lit. Assos and Miletus.

There is something in the realm of chronology that we need to pay attention to: the bulk of the story develops within about 40 days. Starting chronological point is the feast of Unleavened Bread (Acts 20:6), while St. Paul hopes to conclude his travels BEFORE the celebration of Pentecost (Acts. 20:16). Well-known period 50 days long, meaning that he had to leave Troas within first 40 days.  

ACTS: Paul in Athens

Paul in Athens  

The Passage: Acts 17:16-34

Structure:

a. 17:16-21, Response of Athenians

 b. 17:22-23, Unknowing worship

  c. 17:24-25, God the creator doesn’t live in the places made by hands

   d. 17:26-28, that people might seek God,

  c’. 17:29, Divine is not made of silver and gold by human hands

 b’. 17:30-31, God overlooked the times of ignorance 

a’. 17:32-34, Response of Athenians  

Historical and geographical context:

Athens was a cultural center of civilization. On the other hand, Paul first goes to the local synagogue (v. 17). While most often this passage is read as an evangelism attempt among highly intellectual Greeks (cp. 1 Cor. 1:22), we need to notice regular paradigm of Paul – synagogue first (cp. Rom 1:16).  

Areopagus – lit. Hill of Ares (or Mars hill, a god of war) a place in Athenes that might resemble our “city hall.”   

ROMANS: GREETINGS

 GREETINGS

Passage: Rom. 1:1-7

Structure:

A. 1:1, Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus called to be an apostle

  B. 1:2-4, Son of God… Jesus Christ

A’. 1:5-6, Through whom we received grace and apostleship

  B’, 1:7, grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Important terms:

Paul – we know that his “birthname” was Saul (Acts 7:58), like the first king of Israel. Yet, at some point, he adopted the name/title Paul (Acts 13:1 to 13:13). Paul means “a little one.”    

Servant – the better translation is “slave.” Lit. “owned body and soul.” The term is used often for the dedicated personalities serving God (Moses – Josh. 1:2; Samuel – 1 Sam. 3:9-10; David – 2 Sam. 3:18; 7:5,8).    

Called – two important things to note: (1) Paul is called, not “became.” It is Jesus Christ who calls to the ministry or in apostleship. (2) The word “called” is related to the word “church” – those who are called out.    

Name is proclaimed among the nation for salvation (cp. 4:12). Jesus is the name that God presents Himself to the world (John 17: 6,11-12).

Grace is a gift (3:24), used in Romans 24 times.  

Peace – a part of a regular Jewish greeting – Peace be with you, Shalom aleichem. Paul successfully combines the grace from God that results in peace among the people.  

Commentary:

Gospel was promised beforehand by His prophets in the Holy Scriptures. This means that the OT is a great witness for the Gospel. It is an important skill to able explain life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.   

Gospel was declared to be [the person of] the Son of God. Therefore, according to Paul the Gospel is not a set of propositions or theological statements, but the person of Jesus Christ. The main prove of the Gospel is His resurrection from the dead – victory over death that Adam brought into the world (5:12-14).    

In his discussion of the Son of God Paul sets juxtaposition of son of David and all nations. David was a king of Israel. Yet, it is through him God made a covenant promising that the God’s anointed will sit on the throne forever (2 Sam. 7). This Messianic King will be a blessing to all of the nations for the promise goes back to Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3).

Book of Concord:

1:3 – FC, SD VIII:37, in discussion of distinctive features of the person and the nature of Christ.

1:4 – FC, SD VIII:85, quoting Luther’s Treatise on the Last Words of David (LW 15:293-294), authors of the Formula of Concord reiterate the importance of identification of the human nature of Christ (not losing from sight His divine nature from the eternity). 

DEATH and RESURRECTION TUNNEL

DEATH and RESURRECTION TUNNEL 

We talked recently about the crisis in life. I said that if a person or a community goes through death and resurrection a proper or biblical way the level after the resurrection is higher than the one they entered the tunnel of death.

Job goes through his trials and tribulation and loses everything. But at the end of the story, he gets everything doubled (cp. Job 1:3 vs. 42:12).

Jesus, being God incarnate, was able to teach like no other, heal people like no doctor, even raise people back to life. Yet, after His resurrection He comes back to His disciples in a glorified body – walking through the walls, this was the body He was accepted into heaven at Ascension.  

Leo Tolstoy presents the similar idea in his “War and Peace.” He describes the return of Russian people back to Moscow (beginning of chapter 14, vol. 4, part 4). Here is the excerpt:

Within a week there were fifteen thousand inhabitants back in Moscow, within a fortnight  twenty-five thousand, and so it went on. The total rose and rose until by the autumn of 1813 the population exceeded that of 1812. (Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace, trans. by Anthony Briggs, New York, NY: Viking, 2006, p. 1236). 

Crisis belongs to life. We almost die taking the final exams before graduation. We came to the school as students, and leave – if everything, all the trials and tribulations, were passed properly – as graduates: bachelors, masters, or doctors.     

Psalm 30

PSALM 30

The picture is taken from "The Book of Psalms in the Authorized version", New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company, 1986, p. 46.  

I think, when Jesus was talking to His disciples about His death and resurrection referring to the Law of Moses (Torah), Prophets, and Psalms (Lk. 24:44-46), He was referring and/or using this psalm.

As a fan of structural analysis, I am happy to present a case where two (or even three) layouts are possible.