Galatians 2:20 (ESV)

HOW WILL YOU LEAVE THE CROSS THIS EASTER?

(April 11, 2025) Stuart Reynolds asks some questions, challenging us…

Luke 23:48ISV tells that the mixed crowd who witnessed Jesus Christ’s crucifixion on Calvary’s cross: ‘… beat their chests and left.’ 

Of this J.C. Ryle wrote, ‘Both Jew and Gentile left Calvary that evening heavy-hearted, self-condemned, and ill at ease!’ And William Barclay wrote: ‘[Christ’s] death did what even His life could not do— it broke the hard hearts of men!’

Easter 2025 is next weekend and I’m reminded of the question Alan Redpath asked, ‘In the light of the cross, isn’t it a scandal that you and I live today as we do?’ 

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THE LORD’S SUPPER

(March 10, 2024) Dr Jim McClure shares some important truths…

Some years ago my wife Jean and I attended a church where the service went on longer than intended. The Lord’s Supper was to celebrated at the end of the service, but the significance and the solemnity of the ceremony had been removed. However, as the communion table had already been prepared, people were invited to serve themselves with the bread and wine… if they wished.

The result was that some did, some didn’t. I confess that Jean and I were among those who didn’t.

This significant celebration has been given different names by different churches – The Lord’s Supper, Holy Communion, Eucharist, the Mass. The important thing about this sacrament is not what we call it or how often we celebrate it, but what it signifies and what our attitude to it should be!

1. The Context
(i) Passover remembrance
1Corinthians 5:7 states, ‘Christ our Passover has been sacrificed.’  What does that mean? What has the Lord’s Supper got to do with to the Passover?

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TAKE UP YOUR CROSS!

(April 23, 2019) Carol Round shares an after Easter reflection…

‘I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me’ wrote Paul in Galatians 2:20 (ESV).

Can you feel his pain? With eyes closed, can you imagine the sounds, sights and smells of that bleak Friday, when our Saviour and Lord was nailed to the cross, not for his transgressions, but for ours?

Have you ever sat quietly, considering what he did for you and become overwhelmed by the thoughts of his sacrifice? Did you ever ask why he willingly gave up his life for yours?

Not my will, but yours
‘And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will”’ (Mark 14:36).

Jesus’ words, as well as his actions, the night before his crucifixion reveal a life of obedience. He knew the pain he would face, not just physically, but emotionally, mentally and spiritually. He accepted willingly the cross he would bear for all mankind.

What Paul understood
The apostle Paul understood the sacrifice made by his Saviour. However, it took a mighty act of God –being struck blind on the road to Damascus – to open the eyes of this persecutor of Christ’s followers.

After Paul’s life-changing experience on that dusty road, he was baptized and instructed in the Christian faith. The most determined of the apostles, Paul suffered brutal physical pain, persecution, and eventually martyrdom. What was Paul’s secret to enduring a lifetime of hardship for the sake of the gospel?

We can do all things
Paul’s secret can be ours, too. In Philippians 4:13TLB, he says, ‘. . . for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.’ (more…)