FROM THE PASTOR
Cross road & Life beyond death
Good Friday.
I’m a big fan of Blues music. There’s a famous old blues song called “Crossroads”, originally written by Robert Johnson in the mid 1930s, and became popularised by Blues guitarist, Eric Clapton in the late 1960s. Here’s a couple of verses:
I went down to the crossroads
Fell down on my knees
Down to the crossroads
Fell down on my knees
Asked the Lord above for mercy
"Take me, if you please"
I went down to the crossroads
Tried to flag a ride
Down to the crossroads
Tried to flag a ride
Nobody seemed to know me
Everybody passed me by
Some have interpreted the meaning to these lyrics, anything from the bizarre to the simplistic: Johnson selling his soul to the devil for his music ability, to his failed attempts at hitching a ride.
Here’s some text even more famous with no need to interpret, taken from all four gospel accounts; Jesus at the Crossroad:
And when they come to the place which is called Calvary, there they crucified Jesus, there were two criminals, on placed on the right and the other on the left.
Jesus was brought to the place Romans used for execution, just outside the city of Jerusalem where the roads crossed. So those who were coming and going would see the dire consequences of defying the empire of Rome. The passerby would see this in the torture and execution called crucifixion.
When Jesus was brought to the place called Calvary, the cross symbolised nothing good, but only cruelty and death. Jesus’ death changed that forever. Jesus made the cross the ultimate symbol of love. God’s love for undeserving sinners.
Because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, that sign of death has become something much more significant. Something that often goes way beyond all our human understanding. The cross of Jesus Christ standing at the crossroad, instead of an instrument of death, had now become the source of life – the centre of hope – the crossroads of history – the guarantee of a future glory for those who believe. What that Roman execution did to Jesus, has been overshadowed by what Jesus had done for the world, and us, by his cross.
Easter Sunday.
After Jesus was at the cross road of Calvary, they took his body and placed it in a tomb, and we give thanks to God because we know the rest of the Good News goes. And the question for us: “Is there life beyond death?”. Yes. Yes, there is. But let’s ask someone who has been there. Not just someone who has one of those near-death experiences, but someone who has been dead and buried, and returned from death and is alive today.
The list of people to question is short, there is only one: Jesus of Nazareth. His death was officially certified. His burial was carried out; publicly. Jesus’ return to life was witnessed by many. So now then, let’s hear what does Jesus say to “Is there life beyond death?”, in reply, Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live”.
Jesus tells us more than there’s life beyond death. Jesus offers it to us! This is a free gift of God’s grace only Jesus can give. You and I are invited to receive this gift of life after death. This free gift is simply though faith in Jesus. Trusting that Jesus has overcome death by living and dying in your place. Trusting in his own resurrection from the dead.
A blessed and happy Easter to all of you.
We Pray For:
† The light of Christ to shine in the church, so that all may see it and be drawn to faith in God.
† The light of Christ to shine in our community, so that our friends and neighbours may know with us the joy of new life.
† The light of Christ to shine into the darkness of despair, to lift up all who are grieving, lonely, suffering, or without hope.
† The light of Christ to shine into the darkness of human hearts, wherever deeds of greed, oppression and injustice are being planned.
† The light of Christ to shine in the darkness of the tomb, and that all who have died in Christ may rise to life again.