Easter Day! +++ Jésus est ressuscité ! Il est vraiment ressuscité ! La grâce est universelle +++ Jesus is risen, he is risen indeed.

Acts 10.34-43   Actes 10.34-43  Handelingen 10.34-43

Psalm 118.1-2, 14-24     Jeremiah 31.1-6  John 20.1-18

Psaumes 118.1-2,14-24  Jérémie 31.1-6    Jean 20.1-18

Psalmen 118.1-2,14-24   Jeremia 31.1-6  Johannes 20.1-18

Jésus est ressuscité !  Il est vraiment ressuscité ! La grâce est universelle

La première personne a annoncé la bonne nouvelle que Jésus était ressuscité est Marie de Magdala « J’ai vu le Seigneur ! » (Jn 20.18). L’annonce de Marie a traversé les frontières et les générations.

Pierre aussi partage sa vérité théologique en appuyant le caractère universel de cette bonne nouvelle. « Pour Dieu il n’y a pas de considérations de personnes » (Actes 10.34). La résurrection de Jésus est absolument fondamentale pour tous les croyants (tous les peuples, les nations, et les hommes de toutes langues). Elle est non seulement le fondement de notre foi (1 Corinthiens 15) mais aussi indispensable à notre salut. Elle est théologiquement inclusive.

« Dieu a oint l’Esprit Saint et de puissance Jésus de Nazareth. » (Actes 10.38).  L’onction a été la désignation formelle du messie. Pierre fait allusion au baptême de Jésus, lors duquel le Saint Esprit est descendu sur lui (Luc.3.21s.). Il continue au verset 41 « … nous qui avons mangé et bu avec lui, après qu'il fut ressuscité des morts. » Ceci souligne la réalité de la résurrection corporelle. Je voudrais souligner que ce sont les faits historiques et théologiques qui attestent que Jésus est vraiment, corporellement ressuscité ! Au verset 42 de notre passage, Actes des Apôtres (Chap. 10) il y a encore information intéressante « Et Jésus nous a ordonné de prêcher au peuple et d'attester que c'est lui qui a été établi par Dieu juge des vivants et des morts. » Cette information fait référence au fils de l’homme (livre de Daniel 7.9s). Au verset 43 « Tous les prophètes rendent de lui le témoignage que quiconque croit en lui reçoit par son nom le pardon des péchés. » Ce verset cite Esaïe 53 la principale prophétie de l’Ancien Testament concernant la rémission des péchés par Jésus-Christ.

J’ai estimé important de vous partager toutes ses informations. Elles nous ont été transmises pour dire et confirmer que Jésus est incontestablement ressuscité. J’ai en vue de le crier haut et fort d’un côté et de l’autre côté j’aimerais demander que tous ceux qui se définissent comme chrétiens (Eglise) continuent à suivre l’exemple de ceux qui nous ont précédés pour dire au monde entier que Jésus est ressuscité. Il est vivant !  Alléluia, Alléluia, Alléluia !!!

Our Christian faith and history are rooted in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This resurrection is our hope and our salvation. The first person who announced this wonderful news was Mary Magdalena « I have seen the Lord » (Jn 20. 18). She courageously announced this good salvation news that crossed borders and generations. Our responsibility today is to follow that example to announce, to the whole world that Jesus is ready risen. It's a historical and a theological fact that will never change. It's eternal. Jesus is alive ! Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah !!!

Jean-Bosco Turahirwa

Jesus Preaching in the Present, unknown artist, inside Söraby kyrka, Rottne, Sweden

From Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56275 [retrieved March 14, 2020]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:S%C3%B6raby_kyrka_Tavla_021.JPG.

Last Day of Lent +++ Easter Eve +++ From death to life

1Peter 4.1-8    1Pierre 4.1-8    1Petrus 4.1-8

Psalm 31.1-4, 15-16     Job.14.1-14   Matthew 27.57-66

Psaumes 31.1-4, 15-16   Job 14.1-14  Matthieu 27.57-66

Psalmen 31.1-4, 15-16   Job.14.1-14   Mattheüs 27.57-66

From death to life

'The gospel was proclaimed even to the dead, so that … they might live in the spirit as God does.'

At the end of a performance of ‘The Castle of Perseverance’, a 15th century morality play ,which I saw many years ago, the hosts of heaven rushed across the room shouting with joy, to bring humanity back from hell in triumph.

Where is Jesus today in the Good Friday and Easter Story?

The Apostles’ Creed says that he descended to the lowest things.

1 Peter speaks tantalisingly about Jesus, entering that place to preach to the ‘spirits in prison’.  Scholars of course debate what this means.

But where is Jesus today in the Story? 

He is dead. 

He has experienced the only thing that is certain in our lives. He has ‘suffered in the  flesh’; he is dead.

The writer, has used this idea to encourage his hearers in the suffering that they faced.  Now he uses it to take us on from the place of death to the place of life, which tomorrow shall proclaim.

There, we are called to leave behind what is deathly, to what is of the ‘lowest things’; to return to what is life-giving, to what God always intended.

Today, let us reflect on what is deathly in our lives, which Jesus took upon himself, to emerge tomorrow into the dawn of a garden with an empty tomb.

Aujourd'hui nous veillons sur un tombeau. 

Jésus est là, mort. 

Il a pénétré les ténèbres de nos vies, et il nous invite à les rejeter afin que nous puissions, avec lui, sortir du tombeau dans la lumière de l'aube du jardin et de tombeau vide.

John Wilkinson

Christ Descending into Hell, Albrecht Dürer, 1471–1528 The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Rogers Fund, 1922, www.metmuseum.org.

Day 45 of Lent +++ Good Friday +++ It is finished

John 19.38-42    Jean 19.38-42    Johannes 19.38-42

Psalm 69   Genesis 22.1-18   Colossians 1.18-23
Psaumes 69   Genèse 22.1-18   Colossiens 1.18-23
Psalmen 69   Genesis 22.1-18   Colossenzen 1.18-23

It is finished

“It is finished” - These were the final words uttered by Jesus on the cross, and as Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus took the body of Jesus and prepared it for burial, I’m sure that they thought it was all finished too; a senseless end to a wonderful life , the sealing off of wisdom, insight and hope as the stone is rolled across the tomb.……..

They have yet to understand that the cry from the cross was not one of defeat but one of completion; the meaning of the cross is yet to be revealed. Understanding comes gradually, bit by bit over the weeks  months and years that follow, just as it does for us.

Below is a poem I wrote a few years ago on a quiet day during Holy Week as I contemplated how those final words of Jesus spoke to me. What is it that he brought to an end when he finally bowed his head and gave up his spirit?

It is Finished

Finished is the myth of Godly Glory,

Entered into easily without enduring pain.

Finished is the need to be triumphant,

Use of power forfeit, no need for personal gain.

Finished is the image of a sentimental Jesus,

Haloed, soft and gentle, his nature meek and mild!

Finished is the view of some distant separation,

Our savior suffers with us; when pain’s hideous and vile

Finished now, the frightened friends’ betrayal,

Loves ultimate rejection by those who have free will

It’s finished now, the lifetime of obedience,

The Fathers will complete; now at last he hangs there…..still.

Fiona Simon

Descent from the Cross, Girolamo da Cremona, active 1451–83 The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, The Jules Bache Collection, 1949, www.metmuseum.org.

Day 44 of Lent +++ Maundy Thursday +++ Thirsting for God

Psalm 42   Psaumes 42   Psalmen 42

Leviticus 16.2-24   Ephesians 2.11-18   Luke 23.1-25

Lévitique 16.2-24   Ephésiens 2.11-18   Luc 23.1-25

Leviticus 16.2-24  Efeziërs 2.11-18    Lukas 23.1-25

Thirsting for God

As the life of a deer depends upon water, so our lives depend upon God.

This psalm was probably written by an exiled Levite who was recalling his former religious fervour, leading the people in worship at the temple. He was now not only exiled from the temple, but also from his home, nation and the presence of God.

When the dry winds of life sap our spiritual lives, when we feel oppressed, lost, far from God's presence, we can use the psalmist's words as our prayer. Our souls thirst for God. The psalmist reminds us that we need not remain lost in the dark, nor must we find our way home on our own. We can pray that our loving Father will "send forth" the divine light and truth we need to guide us (Ps 43:3). The Lord is our light; we do not need to be afraid (Ps 27:1). And all the truth and wisdom we need is within us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (1Jn 2:27). How comforting it is to know that no matter how lost and dejected we may feel at times, God's faithfulness ensures that we will find our way back into the fullness of his presence. We will yet praise him (vs. 5)!

Mon âme a soif de Dieu

Il s'agissant d'une famille de chanteurs qui appartenait à la maison de Lévi. Tout comme l'eau est indispensable à la vie physique, ainsi Dieu et sa présence sont indispensable à notre satisfaction et à notre épanouissement. Les vrais croyants ont toujours faim et soif de Dieu et de sa grâce, de ses bénédictions et de son action surnaturelle dan leur vie. Nous ne devons pas désespérer mais, au contraire placer notre espoir en Dieu et nous confier en son amour inaltérable. Amen !

Grace West Adeneken

'David', Frederic Leighton (1st Baron Leighton), 1830 – 1896, Cleveland Museum of Art, OH, USA.

From Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=55615 [retrieved March 14, 2020]. Original source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Frederick_Leighton_-_David.jpg.

Day 43 of Lent +++ Wednesday of Holy Week +++ Change

Psalm 102   Psaumes 102   Psalmen 102

Jeremiah 11.18-20  Revelation 14.18-15.4     Luke 22.54-71
Jérémie 11.18-20  Apocalypse 14.18-15.4   Luc 22.54-71
Jeremia 11.18-20  Openbaring14.18-15.4   Lukas 22.54-71

Change

Change can stretch you. Bend you or almost break you. Change of jobs, a major life-threatening incident or it could be- packing your bags and moving to a new country for a job. However exciting the latter sounds, it bears its challenges and tests - a lack of familiarity, a lack of enough resources to settle, leaving behind the known; friends and family and the consequence of carrying a heavy heart- wondering if you made the right decision; charting into unknown territories.

The trials of surviving and thriving are further compounded by cultural differences, language barriers, loneliness and despair can hit one very hard. It is not all gloom! Referencing Psalms 102, when our hearts are “smitten, and withered like grass,” it is in such times we need and must remain grounded and cry unto Him. He orders our path as, “He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.” And as we worry about our families, our children, aging parents our friends, may we be strengthened by his promise, that, “The children of your servants will live in your presence; their descendants will be established before you."

I write this to encourage myself, to encourage my son, Lawrence and to encourage you reader that, as you journey on, having arrived in Belgium or whatever other nation you might be reading this from, the Lord our God is ever faithful, a provider in time of need and a friend in desolate times. As children of God, we cry to Him, and He hears us.

Wairimu Gitau

Arrested refugees immigrants in Fylakio detention center, Evros, Greece, 2010 By Photo by Ggia, dust spots/scratches removed by Kim Hansen. Edges cropped due to scan. Further restoration improvements using masks by Ggia. - File:20101009 Arrested refugees immigrants in Fylakio detention center Thrace Evros Greece.tif, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17437976

Day 42 +++ Tuesday of Holy Week +++ Faith in the midst of turmoil

Psalm 27   Psaumes 27   Psalmen 27

Lamentations 3.1-18    Galatians 6.11-18  Luke 22.24-53
Lamentations 3.1-18     Galates 6.11-18  Luc 22.24-53
Klaagliederen 3.1-18    Galaten 6.11-18   Lukas 22.24-53

Faith in the midst of turmoil

This short psalm of David is a calm restatement of faith in the midst of turmoil. Interwoven with the tranquil, God-centred meditations are enemies, oppressors, and false witnesses.

It is three days until Good Friday. We are retracing the events that led to Jesus’ death and resurrection, and Jesus is soon to be arrested. As he prayed in Gethsemane “take this cup from me”, and as he was seized and brought before Pontius Pilate, maybe Jesus sought refuge of this psalm.

Lord, help me to keep your peace in my heart, to seek your face, and to follow your path. Amen.

Ian Sollars

Fountain of Faith, Carl Milles, 1875-1955, National Memorial Gardens, Falls Church, VA, USA  From Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=54249 [retrieved February 21, 2020]. Original source: Kimberlyfaye, Flickr Creative Commons.

Day 41 of Lent +++ Monday of Holy Week +++ Only Jesus can wash my heart

Monday of Holy Week

Colossians 1.18-23   Colossiens 1.18- 23   Colossenzen 1.18-23

Psalm 41   Lamentations 1. 1-12a  Luke 22.1-23

Psaumes 41    Lamentations 1.1-12a   Luc 22.1-23

Psalmen 41   Klaagliederen 1-12a    Lukas 22.1-23

Only Jesus can wash my heart

This passage reminds me of a song often sung in the kids club which is organized to share the gospel among immigrants. The song tells that the soap washes my face, feet, and hands, but Jesus is the only one who can wash my heart.

Paul wrote this letter to the Colossian church to warn against of false teachings which undermined the identity of believers ‘in Christ.’

Paul describes that we were ‘enemies’ in our mind before the reconciliation with God (v.21). But through Christ’s death, we are welcomed into His presence as we are ‘holy, blameless, and above reproach in His sight’ (v.22). Jesus in whom all the fullness dwells paid the penalty on the cross and made peace with all things on earth and in heaven (vs.19-20). He is the head of His body, the church, and the supreme source in everything (v.18).

It seems to be hard to believe that I am holy, blameless, and above reproach in His sight as long as I am dependant on my efforts. But God first loved us; He is the one who made the way between Himself and us. Our part to play in this relationship with the Creator, our Saviour is to ‘continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel’ (v.23).

He asks me simply to believe, and remain in this identity in Christ, and share this good news with others (v.23b). 

(Below are the song lyrics mentioned above.)

Le savon lave mon visage, mes deux petits pieds et mes mains, oh quel bonheur !

Mais Jésus, pour me rendre plus sage, lui seul peut laver mon cœur.

Si le mal y fait une tache, je connais quelqu’un qui saura l’enlever.

C’est Jésus, non rien je ne lui cache, car il peut tout effacer.

Anon

Overflow with Hope, Rick and Brenda Beerhorst, 2010 From Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=55783 [retrieved March 14, 2020]. Original source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/studiobeerhorst/5753181290/.

Day 40 of Lent +++ Palm Sunday (Liturgy of the Passion)

Palm Sunday (Liturgy of the Passion)

Psalm 31.9-16   Psaumes 31.9-16    Psalmen 31.9-16

Isaiah 50.4-9   Esaïe  50.4-9a    Jesaja 50. 4-9a

Philippians 2.5-11  Philippiens  2.5-11   Filippenzen 2.5-11

Matthew 26.14-27.66  Matthieu 26.14-27.66  Mattheüs 26.14-27.66

I could not bring myself to die.

Betray, deny, err: I know these

to be all too human,

but to die, and along the way

give up power and the rightful

claim of innocence —

which I could not make —

takes a divinity and humanity

I do not own.

I would lash and rage

against these injustices,

and hold my breaking body

as long as strength allows

together. At the dying of the light,

I burn all I can for any

lengthening of my day.

But the sun must set.

Into death, he enters,

moreover,

into dying,

the anguish of betrayal,

the pain of abandonment,

the heat and disgust of

torn flesh and flowing blood.

Into weakness,

unable to carry his own,

last possession.

Mocked.

Cursed.

Forsaken.

All that I fear and strive to keep at bay,

with accolades, titles,

and the building of empire,

He accepts, and drinks

the cup, the acrid

vinegar of an all

too human life and

death.

He brings himself to

nothing.

Victim of an oppressive empire,

of human greed and

jealous rage,

of this entropy and

materiality.

He gives up his ghost,

surrendering, and dies.

He who breathed the breath of life breathes no more.

From hosannas to a hole, his body is consigned.

And around the corpse — that should be me — a guard is set.

They keep their watch.

Can I keep mine?

Jeremy Heuslein

The Crucifixion with the Virgin and Saint John, Hendrick ter Brugghen, 1588–1629. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, funds from various donors, 1956, www.metmuseum.org.

Day 39 of Lent +++ Darkness has no power

Psalm23│ John 12.36b-50   Psaumes 23| Jean 12.36b-50    Psalmen 23 | Johannes 12.36b-50

Exodus 11  Hebrews 13.17-25

Exode 11   Hébreux 13.17-25

Exodus 11  Hebreeën 13.17-25

Darkness has no power

Do you ever wonder what it means to not want - to be utterly and completely delighted in the Lord that, even in our darkest moments, we can fully rest in Him who “makes us lie down in green pastures” and “leads us besides still waters?” The Christian life is marked by suffering for “to be a follower of the Crucified means, sooner or later, a personal encounter with the cross. And the cross always entails loss. The great symbol of Christianity means sacrifice.” Yet, one of the greatest mysteries of being the children of God is that we are promised joy in the face of all sorts of trials. We rejoice, not because life is always easy, nor because we have earthly treasures. We rejoice because our treasures are stored in heaven and we are loved by God who, while we were still sinners, sent His only Son to die for us. Therefore, even when our hearts are heavy with sorrow, all we need to do is lift our eyes to Jesus who came to this broken world so that we may not remain in darkness.

There is no lasting peace apart from the Lord. Time passes and everything we know constantly changes. We all experience loss in our lives and no matter how many times we’ve suffered before, every storm hits us as though for the first time. During such moments and, in truth, during all other moments, we need to be reminded of God’s love for us. We forget even when we mean to always remember and rest in the fact. So, let us find comfort in these two passages of God’s word today. Let us conquer our fears because darkness has no power over us if we believe in Christ who is light. Whether we are happy or sad today, let us put our trust in our Heavenly Father who is able to give us the truest form of peace in Himself.

Meklit Jaleta

Psalm 23, John August Swanson From Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56560 [retrieved February 22, 2020]. Original source: www.JohnAugustSwanson.com - copyright 2010 by John August Swanson.