In the Christian calendar we now are in the middle of Lent, a season of preparation. In recent times it has been marked by many imaginative projects including doing a good turn every day or giving a small donations to different charities. Almost everybody knows the reason Christians do this is because of Easter. However, Easter is so crowded with bunnies and eggs that people lose sight of what Easter is and, more importantly, the Easter hope.
Part of the Easter hope is that the disciples were totally devastated by the horrible death of Jesus upon the cross. They had no expectation that they would ever see him again and he was the most wonderful person they had ever met. Whenever we face bereavement of a loved one we experience the same devastation. Somebody who has been at the centre of our lives, like a partner, or someone who has been a mentor, guide and provider, like a parent or grandparent, or someone who has been our hope and joy, like a child, is snatched from us and life will never, ever be the same again. In fact, life itself seems pointless. So when Jesus arose from the dead, hope and joy were restored; relationships began again in a new and better way. So part of the Christian hope is that death is not the end, bereavement is not permanent and in heaven we will meet our loved ones again. There is hope and there can still be joy and love.
The second part of the Christian hope is that the Jesus who came back from the grave had a new resurrection body. You could touch it, you could see it, you could hold him and you could even watch him eat. This means that when we die, particularly in our old age, our infirmities will die with us. At our resurrection we will have a new body, a new life, free from pain and, perhaps more wonderfully yet, a mind and a heart that can perceive and understand all the wonders of heaven and the universe. The Christian hope of Easter is therefore exciting and it offers more than just a bright future or merely a continuation of the same forever and ever.
The final part of the Easter hope is that one day heaven and earth will be reunited. There will be a new universe and everybody who lives on earth in their resurrection bodies will actually walk with Jesus, God the Father and God the Holy Spirit in the new perfect garden that the world will become. This new world will be free from the environmental concerns, poisons and disasters that we battle against at the moment. It will also be free of the tyranny and oppression, injustice and hardship that so many have to endure. For God himself will be there guiding and sharing our new lives every step of the way, surrounding us with his love.
This is what Christians look forward to. This is what Christians are preparing for. Not just in Lent, but all through their lives. If you want to find out more consider coming along one Sunday at 10:30am or join us for Maundy Thursday communion at 7:30pm 24th March, or on our Easter Day celebration at 10:30am Sunday 27th March.
With every good wish,
Yours sincerely,
Revd. Canon Jonathan Ford.
Minister Christ Church Moreton Hall
MARCH SERVICES:
SUNDAY 6th MARCH
8.30am Holy Communion
10.30am Mothering Sunday All Age Worship
6.30pm New Wine DVD
SUNDAY 13th MARCH
10.30am Morning Worship
6.30pm Healing Communion
SUNDAY 20th MARCH
10.30am Palm Sunday Communication
6.30pm Prayer Evening
THURSDAY 24th MARCH
10.30am Maundy Thursday Communion
SUNDAY 27th MARCH
10.30am Easter Sunday Family Communion
