Prodigals, Adam, Death and Resurrection (An Easter reflection)

It’s Easter Sunday and I find myself drawn back to three key things in Luke’s Gospel.  First, we have the Resurrection Sunday afternoon walk on the Emmaus Road.  Jesus works his way through Scripture to show that the whole account was pointing towards him and his death and resurrection. Then back in Luke 3:21-38, we… Continue reading Prodigals, Adam, Death and Resurrection (An Easter reflection)

40 days in Isaiah – a Lent course

We are approaching Lent, the build up to Easter. Whilst there is no compulsion on believers to observe particular seasons, fasts and festivals, many do find it helpful to set aside specific time for prayer, reflection and study. Last year I put together a series of readings and studies working through Isaiah as a potential Lent course. You… Continue reading 40 days in Isaiah – a Lent course

The Harrowing of Hell and the filling of silence

Over the last few years, I’ve noticed two particular trends at Easter and I suspect they are linked. The first, that seemed to start earlier was that some Christians began to start making a bigger deal of the Saturday between Good Friday and Easter Sunday.  Comments include that we shouldn’t be in a rush to… Continue reading The Harrowing of Hell and the filling of silence

Does the Father turn his back on the Son?

On the Cross, Jesus cried out these words My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46 It’s a quote from the first line of Psalm 22.  Stuart Townend in his hymn, “How Deep the Father’s Love for us picks up on the quote with the poetic line “…The Father turns his face… Continue reading Does the Father turn his back on the Son?

Isaiah in a week – breaking the book down

Some of you have been working through Isaiah, a day at a time through Lent. Other’s wont have had time to do this but perhaps you’d like a different or additional challenge, to read through the book in the week leading up to Easter. Here’s a possible outline to help you do this. Even if… Continue reading Isaiah in a week – breaking the book down

What the Archbishop didn’t say

Last weekend, before we got back to things like parties in Downing Street and whether the Prime Minister tells the truth, the media and social media were full of reports and debate about what the Archbishop of Canterbury had said in his Easter Day sermon.  Reports focused on some statements critical of the UK’s Rwanda… Continue reading What the Archbishop didn’t say

Why is the Resurrection Good News?

The Resurrection is good News because it tells us that we are not alone Most of us find ourselves faced with two competing alternatives  Superstition This is driven by fear of the unknown and the unexplained. It leads to attempts to control the unknown through ritual. We might believe in spiritual forces but these are… Continue reading Why is the Resurrection Good News?