τετέλεσται Tetelestai: It is finished

Oh that my head were waters,
    and my eyes a fountain of tears,
that I might weep day and night
    for the slain of the daughter of my people!

Jeremiah9:1

Today, Good Friday, Mary and I tuned in to our church's (Trinity)  Good Friday service. By the middle of the first hymn we were both in tears. The first hymn, " There is a green hill far away" a simple children's hymn that we had both sung from children, held many emotions for both of us. This time of lockdown and uncertainty for many of us has left many raw emotions. We have seen the death toll rise steadily, and we hear of friends infected and some killed by the virus.   

So why is today so important for us? How is a would-be Messiah dying on a cross, relevant to the situation we find ourselves in? As we look at a bloodied and half dead man on a cross, this looks like a total failure. His cry of "It is finished!" sounds like  the cry of a vanquished man admitting defeat. However, it is not a cry of despair but a victory shout. Jesus had achieved all that He had set out to do, triumphing over sin and the devil, and bringing all who believe in Him out of the deadness of their sinful disobedience into New Life with Him.
However I will leave Steve our vicar to explain as he can do it much better than I can.

Trinity live Good Friday Sermon

The sermon starts 27 minutes into the service.

      

                                                                                           

Gethsemane

4Surely, he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
5But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
6All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53.ESV

Several years ago we visited Jerusalem and the Garden of Gethsemane with  Amos trust . In the garden there are ancient olive trees, they say they may well have been the same trees that were there in Jesus's day, at least they were very old, the trunks were  very gnarled and distorted. with the eye of imagination you could almost make out a figure in the trunks convulsed in terrible agony.

39 And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.[g] 45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow

 Luke 22 ESV

Of course especially today, Maundy Thursday, we remember Christ's agony in the garden. In fact, the origin of the word Gethsemane means an olive press and we can link that with the passage in 

Isaiah 53, "He was crushed for our iniquities." 

Just as the olives have to be crushed to produce healing oil so Jesus had to be crushed for healing the sins of the world as his life drained away on the cross so we can receive all the benefits of what Christ had to go through on the cross.

 Jesus could have chosen not to die, in fact that is what every thought was telling Him as he sweated drops of blood in the garden, but He resolved, "not my will but your will be done", So we can remember all that Christ went through for us and our salvation, as we approach Good Friday. Of course it does not end there; tomorrow may be Friday but His Father did not leave Him in the grave. Easter Sunday is coming when we joyfully celebrate that Jesus rose from the dead.

    

An ambassador in chains

Pray also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6 ESV

A few years ago Mary and I visited Jerusalem with a group from Amos trust. Out of the many churches and sites we visited one that made a lasting impression on me was the House of the High priest and in particular the dungeon underneath. This was a tiny cell with an adjoining guard room, only accessed in Jesus' day by a hole through the roof. 

Here we heard some of the psalms of lament read to us in English and Aramaic, which would have been the language similar to what Jesus would have spoken. These psalms are real cries of woe, such as Psalm 130 " Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord." , but end we real expressions of confidence in God as Saviour and redeemer: "Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.

8 And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities."

Of course for Jesus this Psalm was really prophetic He really was the one who would redeem Israel and not just Israel but every one on earth who believed in Him.

Prison has in fact been a fertile place to spread the Gospel, a place of enforced quiet where freed from distractions creative forces can flow.

One example is John Bunyan, tinker and itinerant preacher who was repeatedly imprisoned for preaching the Gospel without a license. He wrote one of the most famous and influential books in the English language, Pilgrims Progress while in Bedford jail.

The most famous author who wrote some of his most amazing work in prison, was St Paul who was imprisoned on several occasions throughout his ministry but most famously in Rome imprisoned under house arrest chained to a Roman soldier all the time.

He wrote his famous prison letters: Ephesians, Philippians,Colossians and Philemon. Each letter is full of the deepest wisdom of God, particularly highlighting the love and grace of Jesus and Philippians especially brimming over with an amazing Gospel joy.   

So at the moment most of us are in self isolation and the challenge is how can we be ambassadors in chains? Everyone will have a different answer to this question as each of us have different skills and talents. We are so lucky in theses days to be connected to the internet so there  are still many ways to communicate, indeed local communities are interacting in more ways than ever before sharing shopping trips and little moments of fun and amusement.
it may be however that we are called on to just be alone spending time on communion with God.
Saint Paul like many great saints in the bible spent time in the desert after he was called getting to know the saviour who had appeared so miraculously to him on the Damascus road.
So let us all strive to come out of this lock-down period as better people with more love and concern for neighbours and friends and a deeper relationship with Jesus.

   

On butterflies wings

On our visit to Nicaragua with CEPAD we visited a butterfly sanctuary.
Butterflies are the most beautiful and fragile of creatures. Each a precious jewel, but most transient of nature's treasures. Each one perfectly honed to fit into its own microcosm, with bright wings designed to startle and confuse. Jagged stripes breaking up outlines; but folded wings perfect camouflage on one species of tree.

Butterflies are the most significant of creatures. Each tied to its own habitat. So once that habitat has gone so has the species. They say that one flap of a butterflies wings in the Amazon can kindle a hurricane on the other side of the world.
Each one of us are interconnected by threads more delicate than a spider's web and we should not forget that.
In February  we visited projects in Nicaragua run by a local organisation called CEPAD, it works with a community with local committees over 5 years. They help to build sustainability and self reliance so that they are reshaping their own future through training in agriculture and other skills.
After 5 years when CEPAD leaves there is a vibrant local community which pass on all the skills they have learnt to friends and neighbours.

Digging small basins to collect rainwater

 Planting seeds on ridges with plenty of home made compost incorporated

Rosa an amazing lady demonstrating how she collects and stores seeds to prevent insects and deterioration

This amazing fruit orchard was made possible by digging a well to harvest water deep 

underground to water the fruit trees which is needed regularly during the long dry season

Visiting the various communities we have all been significantly struck by how climate change is deeply affecting their lives. The rains are unpredictable, sometimes not coming at all. Then in torrents so that seeds are washed away and some communities are totally cut off from the outside world with no access to the outside world for example medical emergencies. Homes need to be rebuilt away from the river if funds were available, of course the river really needs to be near to give access to irrigation in an ever drying land.
Which takes me back to the spiders web and the butterflies wings. It is our actions on the other side of the world which are causing these problems and we have a responsibility to solve them. Life is becoming increasingly difficult for these people and our inaction in the richer countries is really deplorable. We all need to change and change rapidly before this most beautiful and intricate planet becomes uninhabitable. To make a donation from the UK visit the Amos Trust website, Or you can make a donation in dollars, visit CEPAD 

South Downs awakening, the heart of pilgrimage

Pilgrimage is becoming more and more part of my Spiritual life. The act of pilgrimage involves walking usually in or to a special place mostly with fellow pilgrims.
This year we are planning to do a pilgrimage along the South Downs  with two groups one starting at Winchester and the other at Eastbourne meeting for a final celebration at Chanctonbury ring.
The pilgrimage is focusing on prayer for our county and diocese inspired by the natural beauty of the South Downs national park.
Awakening is really a cry for "New Life" in the Church. a bringing heaven down to earth in the lives and loves of ordinary Christians in their normal work-a-day lives.
so as we prepare to go on pilgrimage here is a liturgy for every day pilgrims at the start of a day's
 walk.

“Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.”

Jesus says to each one of us: “If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross each day and follow me.”

Lord Jesus we walk this day, repentant of our shortcomings, seeking by the power of your Holy Spirit within us to walk in your footsteps of sacrificial love 

Pilgrims, the Father has shown us what is good, this is what the Father wants you to do, to act justly to love mercy and to walk humble with your God.

Lord Jesus, we walk this day in humble obedience to you.

Be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave Himself up for us.

We will walk in light, just as Jesus is the light.

Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord.

Come Holy Spirit, fill us, renew us, refresh us, let us walk this day in the power of your Spirit.

Walk softly upon God’s earth

May its wisdom delight you,

Its music invite you

May you love and be loved

May you know peace and practice compassion.

Rejoice in the earth and in all of creation. Rejoice in life.

Maranatha

Come Lord Jesus Come

(Leader: Light type.

Pilgrims bold type)

Sunday in Byumba

It is wonderful to wake up to the sound of birdsong and African voices chatting and singing.
Particularly striking are the African sun-birds emerald jewels glistening in the morning sunlight drinking nectar from the flowers outside our door.

Breakfast is African porridge sweet and satisfying, boiled eggs, papaya and passion fruit.

Then to the English service African style singing to a choir and drum accompaniment such wonderful rhythms singing using all of there bodies they enter into joyful praise and worship.
Today is a quieter day now after the excitement of arrival having finally recovered from a very tiring journey to be flung quickly into long trips along bumpy roads to see various parishes and projects which have been started on earlier trips now completed and new projects to be considered and planned for; as we travel we see many very poor dwellings made of mud brick in various states of repair and decay, depending on individual luck and circumstances. Life in rural Rwanda is very hard. One of the biggest challenges is the daily carrying of water. People of all ages from tiny tots to youths and mothers can be seen toiling up long steep hills with yellow Jerry cans full of water. The water sources are often polluted streams in the bottom of boggy valleys every drop has to be carried up steep tracks in hot sun or pouring rain. Then the search for firewood to boil the water to make it drinkable or toiling in the fields to  pay for charcoal.
Our projects initiated by Rob and Jan Hoy is to collect water from the roofs of churches and schools to supply water for the community and to provide them with the Griffaid acquafilter   which is a small devise to purify water to drinking standards. 

    One of the most striking things is the genuine warmth with which we are greeted on these trips: together with the joy of meeting old acquaintances again. There is an exuberance about the whole country with many smiling faces even though so many have to endure real hardship and poverty with many daily struggles to just make ends meet. As I write this there is wonderful worship coming from the cathedral next door as they dance and sing their hearts out.

Mary went with a group to visit the Mother's Union, they organise most of the social work and care in the Parishes. They help people to save and make small loans through micro-finance schemes so that people can start small businesses like this basket weaving for example.

Jesus the Suffering Servant

Sermon the suffering servant Isaiah 53

Has anyone believed us or seen the mighty power, of the Lord in action?

2 Like a young plant or a root that sprouts in dry ground, the servant grew up obeying the Lord.

He wasn’t some handsome king. Nothing about the way he looked made him attractive to us.

3 He was hated and rejected; his life was filled with sorrow and terrible suffering.

No one wanted to look at him. We despised him and said, “He is a nobody!”

4 He suffered and endured great pain for us, but we thought his suffering was punishment from God.

5 He was wounded and crushed because of our sins; by taking our punishment, he healed us and made us completely well.

6 All of us were like sheep  that had wandered off. We had each gone our own way, but the Lord gave him the punishment we deserved.

7 He was painfully abused, but he did not complain.

He was silent like a lamb being led to the butcher, as quiet as a sheep having its wool cut off.

8 He was condemned to death without a fair trial. Who could have imagined what would happen to him? His life was taken away because of the sinful things my people had done.

9 He wasn’t dishonest or violent, but he was buried in a tomb of cruel and rich people.

10 The Lord decided his servant would suffer as a sacrifice to take away the sin and guilt of others. Now the servant will live to see his own descendants. He did everything the Lord had planned.

11 By suffering, the servant will learn the true meaning of obeying the Lord. Although he is innocent, he will take the punishment for the sins of others, so that many of them will no longer be guilty.

12 The Lord will reward him with honour and power for sacrificing his life.

Others thought he was a sinner, but he suffered for our sins and asked God to forgive us.

John 13

12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant[c] is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Philippians 2

4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,[a] 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant,[b] being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Muraho

It is wonderful to be with you today and be given the opportunity to share something about the cross of Jesus Christ. As Paul said, I only want to preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

In Lewes our home town in England every 5 years we perform a passion play in the busy streets and market place for everyone to see.  It is a wonderful life changing experience for all who take part but many in our town will still mock us; for them the story of Jesus is still a fable and an offence. However, we believe that it is the story which will save us from all our pride and wickedness and give us access to all the wonders of a life lived with Jesus Christ in this world and the next.

So is the story of Jesus just a cleverly made up fable or is it the wonderful truth that shows us how to receive eternal life in Christ Jesus?

Just consider the passage we have just read; Isaiah was a prophet who lived 700 years before Jesus yet he accurately wrote about His death. Who was the suffering Messiah who Jesus described? it was not the people of Israel or the prophet himself it could only be the one also described in Psalm 22 where it also accurately writes the story of the cross.

As the passage describes Jesus was born not in a king’s palace but in a humble stable to a poor couple soon to be exiled from their native land.

Jesus was nothing special to look at in fact when the guards came to arrest Jesus in the garden Judas had to point Him out with a kiss.

This was no warlike Messiah, He entered Jerusalem not on a war horse but on a humble donkey, again all predicted in the Old Testament.

The King of the universe had to suffer a mock trial he was stripped and totally humiliated in front of the whole crowd in Jerusalem then He was flogged having the skin stripped from His back in the most painful fashion, this was all part of God’s plan as Isaiah writes by His stripes we are healed.

Crucifixion was devised by the Romans  to be the most humiliating and painful death every devised by man but Jesus was quite willing to go through all this suffering and death the innocent dying for the guilty. Jesus hung on that cross not for His own sins, he was the pure Pascal Lamb. He died for my sins and for everyone of your sins. He

paid the price that we should not have to die for our sins but could receive eternal life if we believe and trust in His saving work.

He died between two criminals one cursed Him but one cried out for mercy, he was the first one to freely receive entry into paradise to be with Jesus for ever.  

God did not leave Him on the cross Judas of Arimathea, went to Pilate to ask for his body. He was tenderly taken down and wrapped and place in the grave of this rich man.

The good news is that when the women and the disciples came to the grave, they did not find a dead body there but the great stone rolled away and an empty tomb. Mary was the first to see the risen Lord Jesus then the disciples then hundreds of others.

So what does this story mean for us? It means that if we come to Jesus there is no more condemnation for our sins for, He himself has taken our sins and all our burdens on the cross. This is the story of the great transfer. He has given us new life by His death because Jesus rose from the dead everyone who believes in Jesus will be raised from the dead. We can bring all our sicknesses all our burdens and sorrows to Jesu for He has already carried each on the cross, by his wounds we have been healed.

When our thoughts or Satan accuses  us of sins we can point to the risen Jesus in Heaven, still with the nail marks in His hands and the spear slash in His side and say, "The Lord gave Him the punishment I deserve."

So how do we live our lives in view of all this. We too have to take up our cross daily and follow Jesus, it means the end of our pride and a joyful willingness to be a servant to all; willing to suffer many things in quiet servanthood for the sake of Christ.

So let each of us look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Have this mind among ourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant.