SUE O'DONNELL. 01.04.21
“Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded…He turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished.” (Luke 23 v 24, 25 NLT)
God with us in Christ Jesus,
Arriving amongst us that First Christmas
In the wondrous incarnation.
Leading then a perfectly holy life
Until it is time for our redemption.
So the Lord God allows the †,
Christ Jesus to deal with sinfulness in His crucifixion,
Returning to heal once more by His resurrection.
Love and mercy are the connection,
The blessing of heaven come to earth.
We are being offered a new birth.
“ ‘And this is the way to have eternal life – to know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the One
You sent to earth.” (John 17 v 3 NLT)
Our sinful brokenness is lovingly healed,
Repealed by holy love’s forgiveness.
The Child Jesus of Christmas,
Is the same Lord, Saviour and Master,
Living, dying and rising again for us.
Beyond His †we become a blessed family,
All sinfulness put behind us, forgiven and forgotten,
As if it never were, such is love’s magnificent repair.
We came to a new life offered in holiness,
That we develop a better likeness to Christ Jesus.
We must shed selfishness, conceit, arrogance, jealousy, enmity.
“They are headed for destruction, their god is their appetite, they bring about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives.” (Philippians 3 v 19, 20 NLT)
We must clothe ourselves in the love and mercy our Father gifts us
Through Christ Jesus, by means of the Holy Spirit.
We do not merit this, the connection is by grace,
Holy love’s fondest, proudest, new life, giving us justice.
Our free will is richly blessed to be possessed of a Saviour.
The answer to sins’ calamity is there for all to see.
It is in the unlikeliness of the †, a plea for our forgiveness.
The †of Christ Jesus is the victory of forgiveness.
Love conquers sin, love offers us new life,
Both now in Jesus’ Kingdom on earth and eternally.
We have been set free magnificently, the Holy Spirit acts powerfully.
“Breathe on us Holy Spirit, that we may think what is holy…do what is holy…love what is holy…guard what is holy…keep what is holy.” (St Augustine, the singular invocation changed to plural)
We are at liberty to claim, name our Brother as Saviour.
Evil is over come by holy, reverent, obedient love,
All giving, self-giving, Christ Jesus living now amongst us.
The †, a symbol of death and destruction,
Has wondrously overcome the final separation of God and us,
Banished to a place or position or condition we call ‘hell’.
The Holy Spirit is released amongst us
To continue the work of reclamation won by salvation.
We are a new creation, no more under any condemnation.
Let us then, nation by blessed nation, all across the globe,
Look forward to the Easter promise of God ever with us in the resurrected Jesus.
“Jesus came and told His disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28 v 18, 19 NLT)
“Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: ‘I am with you always, even to the end of the age’.” (Matthew 28 v 20 NLT)
Let us pray with thanksgiving for:
The opportunity to spread the Good News of salvation found in the Lord Jesus, to be shared and spread world wide;
All efforts which are being made to unite communities in the loving mercy of forgiveness found in the Lord Jesus;
The joy of receiving an eternal life, whereby after death we can rejoice in the eternal mystery of the Trinity;
The incredible blessing of salvation, changing life for us in such a holy, happy way.
“ ‘I will thank the LORD with all my heart as I meet with His godly people. How amazing are the deeds of the LORD! All who delight in Him should ponder them.” (Psalm 111 v 1, 2 NLT)
“Everything He does reveals His glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails. He causes us to remember His wonderful works.” (Psalm 111 v 3, 4, NLT)
“How gracious and merciful is our LORD!” (Psalm 11 v 4 NLT)
All our guilt is turned to forgiveness at the † of Christ Jesus.
“All He does is just and good, and all His commandments are trustworthy. They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity.” (Psalm 111 v 7, 8 NLT)
“He has paid a full ransom for His people. He has guaranteed His covenant with them forever. What a holy awe-inspiring name He has.” (Psalm 111 v 9 NLT)
“Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey His commandments will grow in wisdom.” (Psalm 111 v 10 NLT)
We need fear no evil, dearest Father, with Your beloved Son in our midst by the help and defence of the Holy Spirit.
The grace of the Holy Spirit, who grants us the gift of fear, piety, knowledge, fortitude, counsel, understanding, wisdom, enabling us to work for the good of all, that we love, honour and serve our Father by making Christ Jesus our Saviour and Master over us at all times, in all places, increasing the sense of hope, peace and joy we are offered by the connection with the Holy Trinity. This is our joy. Amen.
Images by Artist Christine Garwood
http://www.christinegarwoodartist.co.uk/
Season
Key Themes
TRINITY
JESUS CHRIST
