Journey to the Empty Tomb: Exploring the Final Week of Jesus' Life

by Paula Gooder

Journey to the Empty Tomb is the first in a new series from bestselling author Paula Gooder that opens up the best of biblical scholarship. It focuses on the events leading up to the first Easter - the Gospel accounts of the death and resurrection of Jesus that are at the very heart of the Christian faith. Beginning with the triumphal entry into Jerusalem and ending at the empty tomb, Paula uses her extensive knowledge of the world of the New Testament, its language and culture, to reveal fresh and startling insights and to open up hidden depths in these familiar stories. Accessible and informed, it is aimed at all who wish to gain a fuller understanding of the Bible's key themes and subjects. It is rooted in the conviction that greater understanding leads to deeper devotion, and will be invaluable for preachers, worship and study group leaders looking for fresh inspiration at a key time in the church's year.

Genres: Theology, Devotional

192 pages, Paperback

First published March 18, 2014

About the author

Paula Gooder is a speaker and writer on the Bible, particularly on the New Testament. She began her working life, teaching for twelve years in ministerial formation first at Ripon College Cuddesdon, Oxford and then at the Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education in Birmingham. Following this she spent around eight years as a speaker and writer in biblical studies travelling the country and seeking to communicate the best of biblical scholarship in as accessible a way as possible, after that she spent six years working for the Bible Society as their Theologian in Residence and then for the Birmingham Diocese as their Director of Mission Learning and Development. She is currently the Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

Reviews

[David Campton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily the best Holy Week devotional commentary I have read in years. I used this following on from her Lent Devotional "Let me go there" and whilst I "enjoyed" that, this is a whole other level. It is theologically profound without being impenetrable, it honestly engages with the narrative differences between the Gospels without trying to smooth off the edges, and is excellent at applying both to everyday discipleship. I may return to this for a Lenten Bible Study next year as the appendix helpfully offers 5 studies for groups based on the 5 chapters and different Gospel passages.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was exceptional. It’s commentary-like about the passages surrounding Holy Week and Jesus’s death (though not quite as intentional, as it seems the author just chose to highlight things she noted as interesting). It isolated details I’ve never noticed in Scripture and gave me pause. I want to either re-read this so more of it sticks, or come back to it as a reference.

[John Hayward · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great resource, full of fresh insights; not sure why it wasn't packaged as a Lent devotional.