March 2008

 

 

Dear Friends

 

“There is forgiveness.”   That’s the three-word verdict offered, that’s the answer given, by a Bible scholar called David Freedman, who was asked, from all the years of his study and learning, to distill the message of the whole Bible into a single sentence.  From Genesis to Revelation, he reflected, there is a constant and consistent note sounded about God in his mercy and his grace.  “There is forgiveness.”

 

It’s surely one of the key doctrines of our faith, although let’s be honest, one we don’t always find comfortable.   Yes, we believe it’s true; indeed some of us, myself included, need the assurance of God’s forgiveness more than others!  But actually it becomes an elusive experience.  We live in a world that neither forgives nor forgets; the news media are full of stories about people who perhaps need forgiveness, and space to admit mistakes and move on, but who seldom receive such merciful treatment.  Ask the Archbishop of Canterbury about it, or last year’s Labour Party Deputy Leadership candidates, for instance!  Read such as Matthew 18 for a story about forgiveness received and offered or not!

 

Even when we do bring ourselves before God, we so often live in fear of his judgement, rather than in trust of his forgiveness – yet he is, in repeated verses of the Old Testament, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.”

 

This month of course we celebrate Easter with all its promise of new life, of resurrection.  “There is hope”, we Christians of all the world’s religions declare – and our church buildings now bear that same message, one we will be exploring and expressing as the year unfolds, although already those lights have raised questions!  But our hope in Jesus Christ who is raised from the dead is built upon our faith that Jesus Christ did also suffer death and was buried.  The empty tomb of the risen Lord follows

 

on from “the wondrous cross where the young prince of glory died”.  We might wish then to re-balance the emphasis of Tony Campolo’s well known message, “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming!”  This Easter let us celebrate with all our energies the earliest Easter Sunday that you or I have ever experienced, or ever will, but let us also open our hearts, minds and spirits, and certainly, pray God, before it is too late, to receive the forgiveness of God in Jesus Christ who died upon the cross on Good Friday. 

 

“There is forgiveness!  And then there is hope!!”

 

With my greetings this Easter, and with my love and prayers,

 

Your pastor,

 

Andrew