GRACE! GRACE! GRACE!

​SEASON OF NEW BEGINNINGS

It's Good Friday!

If you haven't done so already, do take time to meditate on the most important and life-changing event in the history of the world. Jesus paid an incredible price because He thought you were worth it. Take time to step into freedom this weekend.
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There's a resource below to help you:
The Seven Wounds of Jesus

And some videos to stir up worship...

AND THEN COMES EASTER...

Thinking back to the account of Jesus riding into Jerusalem [Matthew 21; Luke 19:28-44], I am struck by three responses from his compatriots...

​Although they misunderstood the nature of His mission, many saw in Jesus the promised Messiah and Davidic King, and shouted their praise. This was no orchestrated response with a choir, stirring music, an official reception, and everyone in their best clothes. This was the spontaneous response to the ‘One coming in the Name of the Lord’, by ordinary people, both adults and children: raucous, noisy, disorganised. And Jesus made it clear that such praise was acceptable: for the stones would cry out if the people were silent. (Now that would have been worth seeing!)

Others were offended, tut-tutting at the sight. Observers not participants, wanting to monitor, comment and control, but unwilling to get involved. They thought they knew the Scriptures, but were unwilling to honour the One the Scriptures talked about. And when Jesus confounded their religious ideas, they were unable to take a step back and reconsider, and so earned His censure.

I am reminded of another journey into Jerusalem: when King David brought the Ark (which represented the presence of God) back to his city. His celebrations were equally expansive, and his onlooker, Michal, equally critical [2 Samuel 6:16].

And the third group were the merchants in the temple courts, for whom it was business as usual; too busy to take note of the Presence of God in their midst, too busy to stop and wonder, too busy to bow down in worship.

Let's pay attention as we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of the King of Kings: let’s not be too busy, too aloof, too dignified, or too religious to extravagantly praise the name of Jesus, 'the Living One; who was dead, and now is alive for ever and ever! [Revelation 1:18]

THIS WEEK'S GRACE RHYTHM

Take time to meditate on the wonders of Jesus' death and resurrection!

HAPPY EASTER!

Please note, the next blog post on 'Bread for the Journey' will be on May 16th.
​Until then be blessed!

[Photo credits: Nik Shuliahin (crown of thorns); Pisit Heng (empty tomb) @ Unsplash, with thanks]