In January, I had the privilege of visiting the Holy Land. Six days of early starts and countless boarding and disembarking of the coach yielded a rich experience of a small, but highly significant strip of land. As a first time visitor, I was struck by the variety of terrain – the hills of Jerusalem, the barren Judean desert, the lush plain of Jordan, and the timelessness of Galilee. Obviously, seeing the lie of the land helps you to appreciate how it was in the first century, when Jesus lived, worked, ministered, died and rose again. I re-read Matthew’s Gospel on the flight home and realised how the visit has enhanced my understanding of the events recorded there.
There are two possible sites for the events of ‘the weekend that changed the world’. One, held by Christians for many centuries as the place of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, has become a shrine of pilgrimage. With a basilica constructed over the top of the site, it is protected from the elements and hidden from view. The other, a simple garden overlooking a craggy rock face that resembles a skull, and could easily be Golgotha (‘the place of the skull’), is open to the elements and next to a bustling bus station. I found the second of these very helpful for understanding the meaning of Easter as a historical event, with relevance for us today in the midst of everyday life. In Jesus’ crucifixion, I discover the unconditional love of God, God’s forgiveness, and the offer of friendship with God, all of which I need to function as a person living in the 21st century.
Within this garden oasis, a tomb has been discovered that fulfils the description in the gospel accounts. It is like many other Jewish graves hewn in the rock and in that sense is not unique. However, I was very impressed by the conviction of the man explaining to our party about the evidence for the resurrection, and his openness that the risen life of Christ is making a difference to him today.
Just as Christ’s death on the cross enables us to connect with God, his resurrection gives us hope for our daily lives. When Jesus rose again, he won a victory over sin and death that can be ours too, when we accept it by faith.
For me, the greatest evidence for the historical truth of the events of Easter is changed lives. If you know about Jesus’ death and resurrection, but haven’t experienced the benefits for yourself, please get in touch with me so we can discuss these very important things further.
I look forward to welcoming you to our services this Easter.
Adrian
BBC1 will be broadcasting the last week of Jesus’ life in a series of programmes from 16th to 23rd March. The series is called “The Passion”. It has been made by award-winning drama producer Nigel Stafford-Clark, who was responsible for Bleak House and Warriors. The cast includes Cold Feet star James Nesbitt as Pilate and EastEnders actor Paul Nicholls as Judas Iscariot. The part of Jesus is played by the relatively unknown Joseph Mawle, who at 33 is the same age as Jesus during the events of the Passion.
The first episode starts with Jesus entering Jerusalem while the crowds are waving palm branches to welcome him and praise God. Then we see how the drama unfolds during the week until they call for his death. But death is not the last word. The final episode, to be broadcast on Easter Sunday 23rd March, shows his appearances after his death.
Andrew Graystone, Director of the Churches’ Media Council, comments on the series which he saw in preparation: “This is an extremely vivid piece of drama. You feel you are right there, in amongst the Passover crowds, alongside the disciples as Jesus comes out with these simple but earth-shattering messages. And then of course, he’s taken away and makes the ultimate sacrifice, and like the disciples, you’re left to decide what you are going to do about it.”
“What does Jesus mean to me?” “Did it really happen?” “What difference can his resurrection make in my life?” Do you have questions like that? The website www.rejesus.co.uk will have features for anyone who sees the series and wants to follow it up. We will also be exploring such questions in church services in Ickenham during that week. And on Friday 21st March there is the particular time to reflect on the significance of Jesus dying as we walk through the streets of Ickenham from one church to the other.
The times of the services and this walk of witness are listed here in ICN and are on the church notice boards. Join us, you will be very welcome. And make a date with your TV when the schedules are published.
Bernie
