Delivering Love

Good Friday , the day Christian people around the world commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ . Churches and chapels will be filled with their people making observances and following traditions. From the stations of the cross to modern worship concerts , communion and prayers . For the rest of the world it’s all about bunny’s, rabbits and of course sweet treats . I fear those of faith among us have forgotten the reason for our celebrations and memorials. If not, then why is our beautiful country , so deeply and historically rooted in Christianity , deprived of the real joy and freedom of Easter ? Why has it become a religious holiday instead of a day of deep faith and a remembrance of the all inclusive love and sacrifice of Jesus ?

It’s not a secret, exclusive celebration for the worthy, for the chosen . For those “in the know” it should be a moment of deep and genuine thankfulness, a period of reflection and a tangible gratitude that is demonstrated by a shared faith that meets the needs of all hearts .

I cannot tell you the pain that many people feel in their perceived exclusion from the right to faith and to God . I say perceived because that it exactly what it is . It’s a perception perpetrated by centuries of religious piousness that has forgotten the purpose of Jesus’s sacrifice for mankind . Nobody on this earth is undeserving of a relationship with God . No person in God’s eyes supersedes another in their sinfulness, shames or disgraces. The wrongs of human beings are of deep and absolute sadness to a God who permitted free will for His children and who waits in longing to heal the brokenness of every heart that seeks Him . Not just the select few . Yes the abhorrent . Not just the adherents . Yes the shamed . Not just the obviously religious . Yes the man who opposes all things God . That’s the truth . Faith is for everyone . Why ?

We believe that Jesus paid the sacrifice , bore the shame, the humiliation , the extreme punishment for all who seek His forgiveness . That’s what the crucifixion means . A brutal, torturous , prolonged death from suffocation in the worst manner imaginable . Blood shed from hands and feet hammered to wood with foot long iron nails . A body torn and bloodied from floggings and beatings . This was an ugly , gruesome death . A death befitting the worst criminal of the most heinous nature . Why ? Because it was also for them . If they chose to seek it . If the want forgiveness . Their earthly legacy may be punitive but Jesus ensures their heavenly pardon.. IF they seek forgiveness . It is freely theirs .

But too often it is not the obviously ‘vile’ that feel excluded from faith. More often it’s the every day man, maligned by divorce or mistakes and marginalised to a life too shameful in its history for any real religious observation . God weeps. His love, His forgiveness, His eternal belonging is for EVERYONE. No exceptions . If they seek God , if they seek forgiveness , if they live by His side .. then it is for them . How that looks is between them and God . We are not as Christians asked to assess a person’s worthiness nor their sincerity of faith . We are however instructed to make sure that what we know .. they know . Without judgement . Without exclusion . Without prejudice . Love is for you ! Jesus is for you ! The old rugged cross was FOR YOU ! Let no man , no religion and no opinion tell you otherwise .

It is beautiful to celebrate and worship this significant moment in the Christian calendar with other like minded people . Surely , however , the greatest celebration of thankfulness we could offer God would be to share this with those who have no experience of the forgiveness of God ? The little church I work for this morning will not be holding an exclusive members celebration . Instead along with two other churches , one catholic , it will walk with a cross through our community , as it does every year . It will demonstrate visibly what this day is about , then it will throw open the doors and welcome ANYONE who wants or needs to know more . It will show them the ease with which they can commune with God . They will see that no excessive standards must be visible . In truth they will be invited to come , exactly as they are, to meet with God .

Love has no barriers . Love forgives the very worst in people even when it cannot comprehend the whys . Love embraces the broken , the maligned , the forgotten … love is for everyone . God is love . Do the math.

This Easter , wherever you are , whatever loneliness, shame, fear or sorrow pervades your heart , take it to God . No church is required . No pomp or circumstance necessary . No preemptive cleansing or rituals are needed . In the moment of right now you can seek God . I believe he waits patiently and anxiously for your call . He knows your name . He knows every moment and every secret of your life . There is no shame only belonging in the arms of God . There’s no magic , no trickery , no pilgrimage required . Just you .

I wish with all my heart that everyone in this world , ‘deserving’ or otherwise , could experience the peace and love of God . I pray that no human objection or affront will stop those who most need faith from seeking out the heavenly heart that longs for them . I desire that those who know God and believe will put religion and rules aside and remember that they too are loved in-spite of themselves . My prayer is for peace and belonging and for each one of you to feel that love that so many years ago ran red just for you !