Dear Friends
An Easter Message
As we approach Easter it is good to think about what was happening at that time. Jesus had come out of the sunshine of preaching, teaching and healing the sick, into the dark clouds of death. He faced the reality of having to become the sacrificial lamb, to be slaughtered as a sin offering for the sake of humanity. Just like the Passover lambs that were led to be slaughtered for the ritual Passover meal, so too was Jesus led to the point of his death. The lambs, whilst not knowing what was to happen to them, could sense the danger and also smell the blood of the many lambs that had been before them. They bleated and struggled knowing that something awful awaited them, just as Jesus did the night before his death. He was beside himself with worry. God had told him so much but not the whole story. As yet the resurrection was not yet mentioned. He knew, just like the lambs, he would be rough handled prior to his death, that it would be a shameful death. The Romans knew that the Cross did one other thing beyond killing a person; it brought the shame of public nakedness and humiliation, which was something the Jews found extremely difficult to bear.
On the evening before his death Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with his friends, shaping it into something new. He then tried to find strength for the events yet to unfold, and asked his friends to watch and pray with him. They fell asleep, their plea was weak and lacked comprehension of what was to be. When the guards came and arrested Jesus, his disciples fled and denied him. He was alone and helpless and yet, when we listen to the dialogue between him and the Temple leaders and even Pilot, we realise Jesus was still very much in control of the situation. But he was not allowed by God to change what was to happen, even though he could have done so easily. Jesus knew it was a case of him saying "Your will, not mine, be done", as he submitted himself to God's will and desire.
Scourged, bleeding and in great pain he went out to die. Not knowing of God's plan for the resurrection, he cries out "My God, My God why have you forsaken me".
In the coming days and nights before Easter Sunday, will you all please reflect upon these words but this time turn them around to "My God, My God why have I forsaken you?" Consider the times throughout this last year when our words and deeds forsook God and left him bleeding and dying again on the cross. So let us all seek forgiveness for the errors of the past, and pray that God grants us the time to amend our ways.
On the Wednesday before Easter we will celebrate in a simple Passover Meal and start our act of contrition which will end on the Sunday. If you cannot join with us for the meal, take time quietly to seek a meeting with God, so that God‚s forgiveness might be yours.
God Bless,
Philip
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