Tocallthearrest,trial,scourgingandcrucifixionofJesusChristamiscarriageofjusticeistrueasfarasitgoes,butitdoesnotgofarenough.Christ’sdeathonthecrosswasnotanaccidentbut,ashisresurrectionattests,wasaccomplishedaccordingtothesovereign,lovingwillofGod,bywhichsinnerscanbereconciledtotheOnewhomadethem,andcanpassbygracefromdeathtolife.Inthismemorablesetofsermonswhichdatefrom1557to1558,Calvin,chiefpastoroftheGenevanchurch,offersasensitivereadingofMatthew’saccountofChrist’spassion,deathandresurrection.Thepreacher’sfocus,however,isnotsomuchontheeventsthemselvesasontheirsignificance,onwhathecallsthefruitandefficacyofChrist’sredemptivework.What,inpracticalterms,istheimportoftheEastermessageforthelifeoffaith?Calvin’sanswerhasvitalimplicationsnotonlyforwhatwebelievebutforthewaywelive,serve,worshipandpray.
