It's at the centre of our faith: the extraordinary victory won by the lion, that has been achieved through the sacrifice of the lamb. It's a victory that is over everything that would destroy God’s creation, over every evil force, over death itself. We looked at this last week, in the talk to wrap up the Bible Course - where we also thought about how all this picture language can seem pretty confusing at first glance! (listen from 15mins in: https://stfrancis-valleypark.org.uk/talks/2022-04-03-sunday- service-from-st-francis-church). The rich images of the Bible help us to grasp truths so extraordinary that words alone don't do justice - and there are plenty such extraordinary truths in the Easter story. For example there's the fulfilment of so many Old Testament prophecies and the echoes of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt to freedom. Then there are are the characters in the story: denying disciples and heartbroken family members transformed by the astounding truth they discover.
Will you join us to find out more? Come along to our Easter services - there are lots to choose from. Maybe I always say this (probably I always will) - may I encourage you not to jump straight to the celebration of Easter Sunday? In a world that's so messed up, it's the story of the cross that uniquely relates to the brokenness of the world. Here's how the special prayer for this Palm Sunday puts it: 'True and humble king, hailed by the crowd as Messiah: grant us the faith to know you and love you, that we may be found beside you on the way of the cross, which is the path of glory.'
Here's the rest of the newsletter: Newsletter 070422
