We are just about a month from Easter where we will remember the death of Christ on Friday the 18th of April and celebrate the victorious resurrection on Sunday the 20th.
Generally speaking, the entire Christian life is built upon the foundation that is the death and resurrection of Jesus. Every time we gather we reflect upon his sacrifice in our place and the new life we have through the empty tomb. Every day, every Sunday, we celebrate Easter. Nevertheless, the once-a-year long weekend holds a place in our calendar where we specifically draw our attention to these world-breaking, serpent crushing, sin atoning events.
I am sure many of you have already started thinking about what will be happening that long weekend. Who you will spend it with, if you will go away, what family gatherings do you need to get to… but have you considered how you are preparing your hearts for this significant time in the church’s calendar?
Isaiah’s Servant Song: Starting on Palm Sunday, this year we will be working our way through the very famous messianic prophesy of Isaiah 52:13-53:12. I encourage you to read through the song that was recorded 700 years before the birth of Jesus.
Read a gospel: Maybe you don’t have a specific devotion or the like to work through this year for Easter, but can I encourage you to pick a gospel to read in the lead. If you have other reading you are getting to already, maybe choose a passion narrative to work through over the Easter week. We for example will be reading through Matthew’s, starting with Chapter 21 on Palm Sunday and working through to chapter 28.
For Families, we have put together a series of Easter Readings and banners to cut out (& colour in??) which could be stuck up on the fridge or bluetacked to the wall as you work through the week. We will have these printed out on Sunday, although you can see them below:
Additionally, if you are looking for a good book this Easter as a gift, one of our favourites is ‘The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross!’
When you do get to planning your calendar, we will be having a Good Friday service and a Resurrection Sunday service, both at 10am.
Galations 1:3–5
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.