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Rector’s Letter for Easter

Rector’s Letter

I love the meaningful words of the hymn – Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour. At a time when we’ve reflected on Jesus coming to us at Christmas, and looking towards what Easter will signify, it expresses what I would want to say.

“Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour,
All for love’s sake becamest poor;

Thrones for a manger
Sapphire-paved courts for stable floor.”

Giving up all that he knew and had already experienced of the closeness to his Father and the Holy Spirit, he came for me, and you. Driven by love, he came and gave of himself, when he deserved all things. Our need to encounter his love is a powerful driving force for our God, who will have nothing get in the way of our redemption, our rescue, our revival.

“Thou who art God beyond all praising,
All for love’s sake becamest man;

Stooping so low, but sinners raising
Heavenwards by thine eternal plan.”

And the plan was the suffering, torture and death of Jesus’ crucifixion. This raised us heavenward as he was lifted up. And as the collective gospel accounts tell us, this lifting up refers not just to his death but also his resurrection and ascension. This whole journey taken for each of us.

“Thou who art love beyond all telling,
Saviour and King, we worship thee.

Emmanuel, within us dwelling,
Make us what thou wouldst have us be.”

And God’s ongoing act of love is to dwell within those who say yes to his free gift of life. Moreover, he works in the lives of all people by his spirit, drawing them to himself. In commanding us to glorify him, as C. S. Lewis notes, God is inviting us to enjoy him. We reflected on this in our Lent Prayer Course. And when we seemingly have nothing, we can still bring our worship. As he dwells within us, God transforms us. He has a plan for us. Not just what we are called to do for him (which is amazing) but also who we are freed to be and become.

He gives all for us so we are free to give ourselves to him.

A Happy Easter to you all
With our love and every blessing
Simon