Four gardens

         Easter Sunday 24th April

Exodus 14.10-18, 26 - 15.2

Psalm 105

Revelation 15.2-4

John 20.11-18  

John 20.11-18

The Bible is the story of four gardens. It starts with the Garden of Eden: fruit trees give way to thorn bushes and paradise is lost. It ends with the garden city: the heavenly Jerusalem, the leaves of whose trees are for the healing of the nations. And it is centred on the garden of Gethsemane and the Resurrection Garden, where the battle against decay and darkness is won and new life begins.

Ironically, Mary Magdalene mistakes Jesus for the gardener. Actually, he is the Master Gardener. As she encounters Jesus, Mary’s sorrow is turned to wonder and joy. The briers and thistles of an old order are cleared away. And a new order is ushered in, whose hallmarks are love and recognition.

For us Easter falls at spring time. The crocuses, hyacinths and daffodils of the natural realm are signs of God’s renewing activity in the human realm. And we rejoice to be his apprentices as well as the subjects of his heavenly husbandry.

In the words of a modern English carol sung to an old French tune:

Now the green blade riseth, from the buried grain,

Wheat that in the dark earth many days has lain;

Love lives again, that with the dead has been:

Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.

Robert Innes

Joy in the midst of sorrow

Easter Eve, Saturday 23rd April

Job 19.21-27

Psalm 116

1 John 5.5-12

John 2.18-22

Job 19: 25-26 and John 2:19

In one’s twenties one celebrates the beginning of journeys – I lost count of how many weddings I went to. Then we move on to the weddings of our friends’ children. Now the most common news is of death and departure. Sorrow is natural but we must focus on the celebration of a life and finding eternal rest.

Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again. It’s all there.

In the context of our multi-cultural congregation, try putting the acclamation above into Google search.

You will find the following extract from Zan Holmes’ book (Encountering Jesus in Worship), in which the author describes the authentic African-American worship experience

...I asked one of my members how the funeral service of her nephew had gone.....She replied, “It was a good funeral; we had a good time.”

This approach of celebration and festive worship does not deny the seriousness of worship. It is joy in the midst of sorrow. It is hope in the very depths of despair. It is a way of saying with Charles Albert Tindley: “I believe it. I believe it. Jesus died to set me free!”

David Brown

Collect

Grant, Lord, that we who are baptized into the death of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ may continually put to death our evil desires and be buried with him; and that through the grave and gate of death we may pass to our joyful resurrection; through his merits, who died and was buried and rose again for us, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

GOOD Friday

Good Friday 22^nd April

Lamentations 5.15-22

Psalm 69

     Hebrews 10.1-10

John 18.1 - 19.42

John 18:1-19:42

In my Sunday school days as a child, I kept asking why ‘Good Friday’ instead of ‘Bad or Black Friday’? I came to understand with great joy quite later that the Cross of Christ with all of its agony points to God’s love! There is no measure that God would not take, or length that God will not go in order to redeem and to reclaim the world- His beloved creation.

But the story of Christ’s suffering and trial as narrated in chapters 18 and 19 of John’s gospel reveal to us the fallen nature and character of the world that Christ came to save. It highlights the operation of sin in human relationships: sin damages both human and divine relationships.

Praise be to Jesus Christ who has brought ‘at-one-ment’ between God, humanity and all creation.

As we struggle daily with the world, sin and the devil, we can confidently look upon the cross and say:

...Passion of Christ, strengthen me

O good Jesus, hear me: hide me

within your wounds and never let me be

separated from you.... Amen

Augustine Nwaekwe

Collect

Almighty Father, look with mercy on this your family for which our Lord Jesus Christ was content to be betrayed and given up into the hands of sinners and to suffer death upon the cross; who is alive and glorified with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

This is my body

Maundy Thursday 21^st April

Exodus 11

Psalms 42, 43

Ephesians 2.11-18

Luke 23.1-25

Ephesians 2:11-18

In this passage Paul explains to us the means by which we, the Gentiles who are (physically) uncircumcised, can be separated to belong to the covenant of God. What makes this happen is simpler than you might think: only His body and blood.

Maundy Thursday is the remembrance day of the Last Supper. The supper where Jesus takes a piece of bread and says “this is my body”, as recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke. Notice that Jesus does not say “this bread represents my body”, or “seeing this bread you should think of my body”. He actually says “this is my body”. This is my flesh. That is powerful stuff; pause to think for a moment.

If we take his words seriously, we get a glimpse of the majesty behind this mystery: in Holy Communion, we partake in His body and in His death on the cross! Sounds scary? It may, but what does this do to us? Well, Paul explains that in His flesh, Jesus set aside the commands and regulations of the old order in order to create in himself a new humanity, one marked through peace and reconciliation. Again: not only through himself, not merely using himself, not just around himself. In himself.

Holy Communion is thus also a beautiful way to proclaim our unity in Him. But much more than that, being partakers in that body given for the forgiveness of sins, continues to reconcile us with God and keeps us in life everlasting.

Arttu Mäkipää

Forgiveness and Love

Wednesday 20th April

Jeremiah 11.18-20

Psalm 102

Revelation 14.18 - 15.4

Luke 22.54-71

Luke 22.54-71

I have always found Peter's example very inspirational. He is a key apostle, a fidèle parmi les fidèles, since he first met Jesus. Yet Peter is a human being with all his weaknesses. In the middle of the crisis - Jesus' trial and coming crucifixion - Peter panics, doesn't know what to do and even denies, three times, that he knows Jesus at all. But that's not the end of the story. Jesus will not only forgive Peter - three times – but he will also entrust him with the major task of building His Church in the World.

This period of Lent, our way to Easter, is perhaps the right moment for us to think about our (numerous) weaknesses. A time to find hope. Knowing that in spite of our flaws, God is present with His forgiveness and His love for us. God is present with His trust in our ability to contribute to his Kingdom.

Luc 22.54-71

J'ai toujours été très inspiré par l'exemple de Pierre. Parmi les apôtres, c'est le fidèle parmi les fidèles, depuis sa toute première rencontre avec Jésus. Et pourtant, Pierre reste un homme, avec toutes ses faiblesses. Au moment le plus tragique - le procès de Jésus qui va Le mener à la croix - Pierre prend peur, ne sait plus quoi faire et en arrive à renier, trois fois, le fait même qu'il connaisse le Seigneur. Mais l'histoire ne s'arrête pas là. Jésus va non seulement pardonner à Pierre - trois fois -mais il va aussi lui confier la tâche immense de bâtir son Eglise sur la terre.

Ce temps de carême, notre chemin vers Pâques, constitue peut-être un moment idéal pour nous interroger sur nos propres (et nombreuses) faiblesses. C'est aussi un temps d'espoir. Nous savons que malgré nos défauts, Dieu nous offre Sa miséricorde et Son amour pour nous. Dieu est présent et nous fait confiance pour apporter notre humble pierre à l'édification de Son royaume.

Didier Millerot

Hope

      Tuesday 19th April

Lamentations 3.1-18

Psalm 27

       
    
     
     
     




Lamentations 3: 1-18
     
 
     
     
    
   
    Galatians 6.11-18 

Luke 22.24-53

As I reflect on this passage, I am brought back to a cathartic song that I always delight in listening to:

I’ve been through the fire

And I've been through the flood

I've been broken into pieces
Seen lightnin' flashin' from above

But through it all I remember

That He loves me

And He cares
And He'll never put more on me

Than I can bear

Yes, Indeed, He will never put more on us than we can bear. The author of the passage (Prophet Jeremiah) laments that he is chastised and ‘besieged’ with ‘bitterness and hardship.’ And although he also laments that he ‘dwells in darkness’ and his ‘paths are crooked’, he remembers one very vital thing- the Lord blesses those who put their hope in him.

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations (3:22-23)

During those times when we are faced with difficulties and adversity, we may find ourselves lamenting and falling into that proverbial hole of hopelessness and despair. However, just like iron is cast in fire to become steel, we must see those difficult times as a refining process and continue to prevail.

Do not lose hope because ‘the city will be rebuilt upon its ruins’ (Jeremiah 30:18) and ‘the glory of the latter house will be greater than the former’ (Haggai 2:9)

My hope cometh from the Lord,

Ijeoma Umelo

Broken for us

     Monday 18th April

Lamentations 1.1-12a

Psalm 41

Colossians 1.18-23

Luke 22.1-23        

Luke 22:1-23

“He took bread, and gave thanks, and broke it.” (v.19)

Every Sunday millions and millions of Christians throughout the world go to church to “do this in remembrance of me”. They see the Lord’s minister standing in his name, holding up the bread in his hands and breaking it before their eyes, and they remember.

They see and they know that their Lord was broken for them. The words are, “This is my body which is given for you”, but the action is the breaking of the bread. Actions speak louder than words: he was broken for us.

If I think of a person being “broken”, I think of someone giving everything and being crushed because of it. And there we see him, the Bread of Life, held up between heaven and earth, giving everything for us and being crushed by it, that we might live for ever.

“He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

O Lord Jesus, take me in your hands, and find me ready to give everything for you.

James Pitts

God is our Rock

Palm Sunday 17th April

Zechariah 9.9-12

Psalms 61, 62

Philippians 2.5-11

Luke 16.19-31

Psalms 61 and 62

Many Christian teachers have described David's relationship with God as intimate. This can be clearly seen as he pours out his heart in these two Psalms. These powerful Psalms talk about how God deeply desires us to cry out to Him at all times. We often try to overcome struggles and difficult situations in our own strength. However, in the end, we realize that we need to call out to God for His help, as He is our "strong tower against the foe". God is our Rock of peace and wants us to depend on Him completely. Like David, our deepest longing is to know that we are safe with our Creator and loved with an unconditional love.

Psalm 62 shows us that when we acknowledge God for who He is, we find rest deep within our souls. We need to daily remind ourselves that the God who made us and who loves us, is also our Rock and Fortress. If we wholeheartedly put our trust in God amidst all the troubles, trials, and challenging times that we face, we can be confident that His everlasting arms will be there to shelter us, comfort us, and give us His peace that passes all understanding. With God's help we need to fix our eyes on things above and not on earthly things. As the songs says : "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of the earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace." As David wrote,"power belongs to God and with Him is unfailing love".


Priscilla and Jeff Stairs

Shining Lights?

Saturday 16th April

Jeremiah 25.1-14

Ps 23, 127

Hebrews 13.17-end

John 12.36b-end

John 12:36b – end

The opening theme of this passage in John’s Gospel is a common one throughout the Bible – that of people ignoring God’s word no matter how often it is put in front of them. The Old Testament passage set for today (Jeremiah 25:1-14) also covers this theme.

But the words of Jesus in this passage indicate that this is not necessarily something to be concerned about. All that matters to him is that he speaks God’s words. It is not up to him (or us) to judge people if they chose to ignore them.

Perhaps more thought provoking are verses 42 and 43. How many of us in our daily lives do not readily admit to being Christian, attending church, etc. How many of us, consciously or unconsciously, adopt the stance of Peter and deny or keep silent about this when we are with non-Christian friends or colleagues for fear of not “fitting in”?

In verse 46 Jesus describes himself as a light. In the words of the baptism service do we

“Shine as a light in the world to the glory of God the Father.”

Or keep it firmly under wraps?

Keith Tomlin

Decisions

Friday 15th April

     Jeremiah 24

Ps 22, 126

Hebrews 13.1-16

John 12.20-36a

John 12: 20-36a

John’s gospel is deeply reflected, perhaps more so than any other book in the Bible. The evangelist has thought about the events to which he has been a witness and tries to lead us not just to those events, but to what they mean. He makes links and connections that draw us with him.

So as Jesus’ public ministry approaches its conclusion, some of the events remind us of what that ministry has been from the start. John points to this through a string of pictures that also occurred in the opening of his ministry: the message passed from one to another; destruction and rebuilding; the contrast between the light and the dark; the hour that was not yet, but is now; Jesus lifted up, drawing others to himself. See if you can find them in chapters 2 and 3. They are probably in chapter 1 as well. The point is to emphasise how Jesus’ public ministry has been consistently leading towards the Easter events that are about to happen, events that will reveal his glory.

There is another theme: that of the moment that imposes decision on each of us. We see it first as the moment when Jesus turns towards his passion: the hour has come and even though his heart is deeply troubled, he accepts it in honour of his Father. That Jesus’ willing acceptance will reveal his glory, John shows us affirmed by God himself.

Now, says Jesus, comes your moment of decision, the moment that will judge you and all the world. Jesus lifted on the cross, Jesus raised in glory confronts us with a choice. If we stake our lives in commitment to him, he offers us eternal life. If we love too much what we have now, we risk losing even what we have. Jesus calls us to stake our lives on commitment to him: the one whose passion and death reveal his glory. His words are not empty, for he has trod the path of commitment before us.

David White

Following Jesus

Thursday 14th April

Jeremiah 23.9-32

Ps 40, 125

Hebrews 12.14-end

John 12.12-19

John 12.12-19

Reading this Bible passage over and over again, I cannot stop but think how appropriate it is and how similar the situation is to what is happening in the Middle-East today. But I am also truly fascinated by Jesus.

Young, daring, bold, a born leader, he should be with his friends, family and mates, going out, watching games, having fun and yet he chooses not to.

On that day, six days before Passover, entering Jerusalem on his donkey, he knows, he really knows that each step his colt takes brings him one step closer to the cross, one step closer to death. I wonder why, why should anyone in his mid-thirties want to do such a thing?

I believe that Jesus realizing that for his new, young and burgeoning movement to survive and stand the test of time, something extraordinary has to be done and so for me, personally, the only answer to the why is love, love for his family, love for his friends, love for you, love for me, love for all of us.

So today my thoughts, my love and my prayers go to all those whom in this modern technological, bureaucratic day and age, is it by circumstances, is it by choice, or by love, to their own peril, decide to, willingly, knowingly, peacefully, stand up and transgress customs, rules, regulations for the common good of mankind as Jesus, our saviour did.

Peter Gysen

Discipline

Wednesday 13th April

     Jeremiah 22.20-23.8

Ps 55, 124

Hebrews 12.3-13

John 12.1-11

Hebrews 12:3-13

Run the race with discipline....

Because the Lord disciplines whomever he loves, and he punishes every son

or daughter whom he accepts. (CE Bible)

I will never forget the day I understood this:

My brother and I were teenagers, and we would fight like cat and dog, but

adored each other. One day when I tried to read my homework (nearly impossible when dyslexic) Maarten annoyed me to the end! I turned round from my desk and threw a compass at him. In that second I realised he could be blinded by the sharp point and yelled: “down!” He threw himself on the floor and we watched the compass embedded in the wall behind him. From that day on I ‘listened to the ‘little quiet voice inside me’. Always ask God what to do, it only takes a second. Therefore I was very strict with my own three children knowing what I myself was capable of and wanting to protect them from being hurt or not hurting others by being too wild. I tried to bring them up the way God would, and I made a lot of mistakes, but some good decisions, it would have been so easy to just let them decide for themselves, but at the end one always pays.... My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline or give up when you are corrected by him, because the Lord disciplines whomever he loves, and he punishes every son or daughter whom he accepts.

Paulina van Rijn