What follows is the reflection from today’s 10am service, and the photo is from the 11am service where people were invited as they felt able to add their name to the cross, recognising all that the Lord Jesus did, achieved and offers.
I wish we could be convinced.
I wish we trusted.
Lord I believe, help my unbelief.
What does this day really mean to you? Deep down? What is it’s significance?
For a moment I want you to sit with this. Don’t shy away from it. What does this day mean to you…
Over this long week we have been building up to Good Friday, knowing that Jesus would be crucified for us. A cruel death. Jesus suffered. He was beaten. He was mocked. He was whipped. He was betrayed. Jesus died broken, bruised, and betrayed. The one whose hands flung stars into space now has his hands bound and nailed to a cross. An instrument of death.
The death of Jesus is significant. The death of Jesus is a miracle. It is a miracle of love and mercy, of hope and dignity, of spiritual warfare and eternity. It is not an empty gesture. It’s not a magic trick. It’s not special effects. At the last he cried ‘it is finished’ and he breathed his last. Jesus died. The Son of God died. And he died because he loves you, he loves me, he loves the world. I have been really struck by the line Paul wrote – we preach Christ crucified.
Today is significant because today God wins over the prince of this world, the Devil, Satan, the fallen angel – whatever name you give him. Today is significant because the sacrifice made has allowed a fresh start, a new covenant, a new beginning. Jesus said – It is finished – and today begins something new.
Over Easter there are two miracles – the first is that the Son of God died for us all that we might be know God’s love and mercy. The second is that he rose from the dead, defeating the curse that Adam and Eve brought upon the world.
So at this table we celebrate God’s love and mercy, God’s power over life and trust in a new beginning, a fresh start, an eternal existence in the Kingdom of God.
You are loved by God almighty.
You are forgiven by God almighty, even for killing Jesus – Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.
God loves you so much, no matter who you are or what you have done.
You have a fresh start, a new beginning.
You don’t have to live in the shadow of your failure – just ask Peter.
You don’t have to be shaped by the culture of this world – your identity is secure in God.
You don’t have to be alone – you are a child of God.
If you are going to embrace the risen Christ, then embrace yourself. Love yourself. Your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit, you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Through Christ you are saved. We celebrate today because he is risen, and life is more than the daily grind and pleasing people.
As a brother or sister of Christ, you have a place in the family of God. Too often we shy away, we blame others for our circumstances, we lack confidence, we fear rather than love. Let’s embrace Christ, knowing that all things lie within his grasp, and step out in faith. If we believe that God raised Jesus from the dead, what is there he cannot do? We might not understand, and we can’t see everything, but life continues with him, even if we lose it here.
If the people keep quiet the very stones will cry out. Be loud and proud this Easter. God loves you so much, and he has it all, even death is defeated.
For God so loved the world that whosoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.
Let’s celebrate, and as we gather at his table, we gather in joy and with respect. We last gathered here when the world was darker, and the air loaded with tension. Today we gather in wonder and amazement, but in faith that our God is alive and the victor over all. Amen.
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