Dear Friends,
A Cross of Forgiveness and Easter Restoration…
By midday on that first Good Friday, the trial was finished, the sentence passed, Jesus whipped and crowned with thorns. Jesus appears to have said very little until the Cross had been erected, when he speaks these words, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” These words sum up the reality of Jesus' ministry, words of forgiveness and reconciliation.
These are words for the soldiers, who were simply carrying out their duty. This was not the first time that they had crucified condemned men, and it wouldn't be the last. Jesus’ attitude to them is one of strong, realistic compassion, as he says, “Father, forgive them…”
These are also words for the disciples, especially for Peter. The disciples were frightened of the consequences of being associated with Jesus. But, after the resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples, he stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you.' And for Peter, who disowned Jesus, not once, but three times, this wasn't the end of the line for him, because Jesus forgives him, with the words, 'Follow me!'
Likewise, these are words for us. Today, whatever we may have done wrong we are able to ask for and we will receive his compassion, his love, and his forgiveness. When we ask him to, Jesus will take that wrongdoing upon himself. And all because of what Jesus did on that first Good Friday…
But it doesn’t end there, as Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Easter brings alive the relevance of the life and death of Jesus, and brings relevance to our own lives. Jesus came to repair a broken relationship between God and us. As we try to make sense of the cross we find that it spells forgiveness, healing, freedom, and new life. In the midst of a world of death and suffering stands a symbol of hope, and a symbol of a God who is standing with us, and alongside us, now and forever.
May I take this moment to wish you all a very Happy Easter and the new life that it brings, including forgiveness and restoration…
Yours in the love of Jesus,
Mike Lodge