After teaching the Life of Christ for over thirty years, I have written a brief book about what is also called the “Last Week” of Jesus, but which includes His resurrection and ascension. I offer some fresh thoughts about some traditionally accepted ideas, always in light of a closer reading of the Gospels.

How did Jesus get away with violently cleansing the Temple? Readers may also be surprised that the expression “Garden of Gethsemane” does not appear in the Gospels and there is no reference to Calvary as a “mount” or “hill”! Jesus condemned the hypocrisy of Pharisees but were they really involved in His crucifixion? What was really “finished” when Jesus died? These issues and questions are addressed with answers from the Gospels. I also desire that readers again see the devotional importance of thinking about these events, so I have included a suggested prayer in each chapter. I am also thrilled that my colleague, Brian Morley has provided a number of photographs that illustrate the places where these sacred events transpired. The book will be available by “Passion Week” in April.

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Dr. Varner was the recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award/Teacher of the Year in 1999 and 2005, and has been a member of “Who’s Who In Education And In America” since 1998. He received the Academic Prize at Biblical Theological Seminary and was Valedictorian at Dropsie College; He pastored for seven years and was Director of the Institute of Biblical Studies at Friends of Israel; has made 46 trips to the Holy Land; and is a member of Evangelical Theological Society and Society of Biblical Literature. He has authored ten books and over a hundred journal and magazine articles. He pastors the Sojourners Fellowship at Grace Community Church, likes studying the Civil War, traveling with his wife Helen, and occasionally playing golf.