Once again, we circle around to that time of year when even our cultural calendar acknowledges the death and resurrection of Jesus, even if it doesn’t fully celebrate it. With a week and a bit in hand, I wanted to take a moment to encourage you to prepare your hearts and minds for this significant time of remembrance—and, as will be our focus, joyful repentance leading to resurrection life.
Remembrance | Our Story
When Israel celebrated the Passover each year through its prescribed festivals and feasts, they did so not just to remember the events that took place when Yahweh provided a sacrifice so that judgment would pass over them and they would be rescued from slavery (Exodus 11–15). They did so as a means of remembrance—which meant making the story of the Exodus their story: from slavery to freedom; from Pharaoh as oppressive ruler to Yahweh as benevolent Father; from exiles to recipients of the promises of God.
As we recall the crucifixion, the tomb, and the resurrection, we do not treat them merely as historic events. By faith, we receive them as our story. We look at the cross, where the crucified Saviour suffered as a slave, and we see upon Him the wrath of God that we deserve. In the death of the King, wrapped and laid in a garden tomb, we by faith stand in awe at the reality that though we were dead in our sins, now in Christ we are dead to sin with Him. As we approach and find the stone rolled away, peer into the empty tomb, and look with wonder to the resurrected Lord, we by faith embrace the reality that His life is now ours. Through remembrance, we make the story of Christ our story: from slavery to freedom; from sin as oppressive ruler to Yahweh as benevolent Father; from exiles to recipients of the fulfilled promises of God.
Joyful Repentance to Resurrection Life
This story becomes ours as we by faith accept Jesus as the substitute for our sins and turn to Him in repentance.
This Easter, as a church we are going to consider what it means to come to the Lord with repentance and faith. We will do this through three services as we reflect on the great realities of God’s grace and the nature of our response. In doing so, we will be asking questions such as:
- On Palm Sunday – 29th March – What is repentance before an all-knowing God?
- On Good Friday – Friday 3rd April – What is ongoing repentance in light of the grace of God for sinners?
- On Resurrection Sunday – 5th April – How does the new resurrection life we have in Christ relate to ongoing repentance and renewal?
Not only will we be looking at the passion account from Luke’s gospel, we will also intentionally lead our hearts through the words we sing, focussing our Easter on a beautiful song of repentance called “Take My Heart With Altar Fire”. This will be coupled with songs and readings from God’s word about the forgiveness that has been purchased for us by Christ’s blood. When we come to Christ with repentant faith, He is faithful to receive and forgive us.
In the lead-up, can I encourage you to consider the story of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection? Either alone, with a friend, or with your family, could you read through the Gospel of Luke or the passion account from chapter 19:28 to the end of the book? By faith, this is your story as well. Certainly prepare the meals, the times of community, and the activities you’ll enjoy over the long weekend—but of first importance, prepare your hearts to celebrate the gravity of the cross and the empty tomb.
Grace to you, glory to God.