Thought for the week

by Rev Richard Walker

Vicar of St. John’s Church, Yeadon

FOR those of us with children at school in Leeds, this year presents us with an unusual situation regarding the Easter holidays. Next week is Holy Week, but children are at school except for Good Friday. They return to school for the following week and only then do the Easter school holidays begin. Of course, it’s easy to understand why. The timing of Easter changes each year and in 2016 is about as early as it can be. Yet, it is surely a reflection of an increasingly secular society that the timing of the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus has become an inconvenience to be sidestepped as and when necessary.

But, for Christians all over the world, this time of the year is the most wonderful of all. The apostle Paul summed up his life with these words, “I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). To think that Christ would go to such lengths to purchase salvation for you and me: his suffering for us was so much more than an inconvenience. He was betrayed and denied by his friends. He was beaten and mocked by his enemies. He was scourged and crucified by the governing authorities. And he was, apparently, abandoned by God his Father, as he carried the sins of all humankind upon the cross. Such was and is the great depths of his love for us; to give himself in this way for our sake.

This is the core belief held by two billion Christians all over the world. It’s so much more than an inconvenient truth. It’s the song in our hearts, the joy in our troubles and our reason for living. Whatever the dates of your holidays, do join in the celebrations at your local church this Eastertide. Happy Easter!