Earlier this week a ministry staff member (who will not be named) confessed their inability to resist the humble Hot Cross Bun. They said that every time the go to the store, the buns are laid out right by the entrance, and they're unable to walk past with succumbing to buying at least one pack.
Now we might want to debate the various merits of the Hot Cross Bun. Should there be variations on the classic fruit and spice version? What role, if any, ought chocolate play? Why on earth do some places think it is ok to charge more than $10 for a pack of six? Can I have one with bacon in it? (If you're wondering, the answer is 'yes').
But what really defines the these buns are their mark - the cross. And that cross is a reminder to us all of the centrality of Jesus death - dying on the cross, giving his life as a ransom for sinners like you and me.
As Peter writes,
"When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:23-24)
When we remember that this is what is going on at the cross... well it them becomes irresistible. (Even more irresistible than Hot Cross Buns!) We have no where else to go if we want to live in peace with God and with each other.
John Stott, in his excellent book The Cross of Christ, puts it like this,
“God could quite justly have abandoned us to our fate. He could have left us alone to reap the fruit of our wrongdoing and to perish in our sins. It is what we deserved.
"But he did not. Because he loved us, he came after us in Christ. He pursued us even to the desolate anguish of the cross, where he bore our sins, guilt, judgement and death.
"It takes a hard and stony heart to remain unmoved by love like that.”
This Easter, why not spend some time reflecting on the cross and the irresistible grace God has shown you in Jesus? Why not take the opportunity to share that good news with those you will be with? Maybe even invite them along to church with you?
At all our Easter Services we will be sharing loud and clear the good news of Jesus and the moving grace God has shown us in him. We'd love to see you at both Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Grace & peace,
Andrew
P.S. We will be sharing the Lord's Supper together on Good Friday.
eNews - 6th April 2023