 A question that I often get asked by people is; “How could Jesus have died for me? I’m not worth it.” Which is exactly the point— you may not think that you are worth it, and the world and the devil may tell you that you are not worth it, but Easter says that you are. God sent Jesus to take our place on the cross because he thought that we were worth it. Because although the world loves to remind us of our failings, God’s will for us is to realize our true worth. Just like any good parent God never stops loving us, no matter how far off the beaten track we may wander, and he is willing to go to any length to help us find our way home. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whosoever believes in him might not perish but have eternal life.” On the cross Jesus conquered the power of sin and death for all time. He won for us, what we could never achieve for ourselves— the gift of eternal life in God’s kingdom. All we need to do is put our faith in him and open our lives to receive his transforming love. So the next time someone says you’re not worth it, tell them that you know someone who says that you are! Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed! Till next time. Andrew This week's readings; Isaiah 65:17-25, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24, Acts 10:34-43, Luke 24:1-12 Download this week's pew sheet pdf Download this week's sermon  Today we celebrate Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem. His approach was humble and gentle and the crowds opened their hearts and welcomed him as their King. Sadly crowds can often be fickle things and as we know all to well it won’t be long before many in this crowd gather again. Not to praise him but to condemn him to death on a Roman cross. Sadly too, we know that our hearts can also be fickle things. So let me ask some direct and pointed questions. How welcoming is your heart towards Jesus this Easter? What kind of welcome does Jesus receives when he reaches out to you? Can you receive him with all your heart and mind and soul and strength? Will you receive him as your Saviour and King? And finally, as we enter into this Holy Week are you willing to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow him? Till next time. Andrew This week's readings ; Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 31:9-18, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 22:14-23:56 Download this week's pew sheet pdf  In our Gospel reading this week we find a demonstration of the most spectacular and extravagant love. Jesus has been invited to be the guest of honour at a dinner party at the home of his dear friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus. As the evening progresses Mary take out a bottle of the most expensive perfume and uses it to wash Jesus’ feet. The act is both breathtaking and shocking as the perfume would have cost Mary almost a years wages. But as we have seen before Mary is no shrinking violet when it comes to expressing her devotion to the Lord. We would do well to take a leaf out of her book. Jesus himself will soon show them all a thing or two about breathtaking love. They will see it when he shows them that true love is best expressed when we are willing to serve others by washing their feet. But most breathtakingly of all Jesus will soon willingly allow his own breath to be taken away in order that we may know life. This life giving love is the kind of love he expects from us too. Till next time. Andrew “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35. _This weeks readings; Isaiah 43:16-21 Psalm 126 Philippians 3:3-14 John 12:1-8 Download this week's pew sheet  We all know one, have been one or are waiting for one to come home. One of the reasons the story of the prodigal son is so powerful is because at one time or another in our lives each of us can relate to the characters in the story. The most important thing to remember about this story is that no matter how far off we might have wandered from God, or no matter how close we have stayed to him, and how hard we have tried to remain faithful, God’s love for each of us is just the same. Just like the father in this story our heavenly father loves us so much that whenever he sees us turning towards him he runs to us with outstretched arms. For whenever we return to him there is much rejoicing in heaven as he welcomes us home with his Amazing Grace Till next time. Andrew Download this weeks pew sheet pdf |
Rev. Andrew SmithVicar of Light in the Hills |