33. The Covering of Love

Wednesday 27th March

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This time last year I wrote this prayer for holy week:

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Today's reading: John 19. 23-24

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The darkness of the cross runs still yet deeper with one final indignity to endure.

Stripped naked on the cross, Jesus hears the soldiers discussing what to do with His final piece of earthly possessions: His undergarment.

It is woven in one piece and would fetch more if sold as a garment rather than torn and used for fabric. And so they decide to gamble for it - casting lots to see which of the four soldiers should keep it.

Unaffected by the suffering of the One on the cross.
Unmoved by the weeping of His mother, and the women with her.
Casting lots.
Gambling.

The darkness of the cross runs still yet deeper.

An unnamed soldier wins the bet.
He walks away from the cross with a quarter of Jesus' clothing - and a whole, untorn undergarment.
I wonder what happened to it.
I wonder what happened to the soldier.
I wonder what he made of Jesus - if he was affected at all by His cries of forgiveness, by the unexpected eclipse, the earthquake that shock the ground, the veil torn in the temple.

We may never know what he made of what he took away from the cross - but I wonder what we take away from it.
We often focus on what we leave at the cross... what is put to death in the death of Jesus; blotted away, and completely cleansed... by what do we then walk away with?

If in my foolishness I stray,
Returning empty and ashamed,
I love the way You father me.
Exchanging for my wretchedness
Your radiant robes of righteousness,
I love the way You father me.

GRAHAM KENDRICK

Your majesty, I can but bow,
I lay my all before You now
In royal robes I don’t deserve
I live to serve Your majesty.

JARED COOPER

Reflection:

Jesus takes away our filthy rags - our clothing stained, soiled and smelling of the places we should never have been, the things we should never have done, the mind contaminated, the heart scarred. But he doesn't leave us naked, destitute, vulnerable - He gives us the preciousness of His own righteousness! He exchanges our record for His own - He trades our pain, He takes our place - so that we might take His.

And it's not won on a wager - it's sealed with a promise: leave your rags, and take my robes.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life,
to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
to be made new in the attitude of your minds;
and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

EPHESIANS 4. 22-24

This too, was always part of the plan of salvation.
You don't have to take my word for it, it was foreseen long before - written into prophecy:

"This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled that said,
“They divided my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.” (Psalm 22.18)

JOHN 19. 24

Long before the cross
Long before you have heard of the cross
Long before you were even born
God was planning your rescue, your redemption, your robes

Question for today:

Take a moment to pick yourself standing before the cross.
Is there anything you need to lay down?
Look up at Jesus - look long into the face of love. Is there anything He wants to give you?
Thank Him afresh for His robes.

Prayer:

His robes for mine, O wonderful exchange
Clothed in my sin, Christ suffered beneath God's rage
Draped in His righteousness, I'm justified
In Christ I live, for in my place He died

I cling to Christ and marvel at the cost
Jesus forsaken, God estranged from God
Bought by such love, my life is not my own
My praise, my all, shall be for Christ alone

His robes for mine, such anguish none can know
Christ, God's beloved, condemned as though His foe
He, as though I, accursed and left alone
I, as though He, embraced and welcomed home

I cling to Christ and marvel at the cost
Jesus forsaken, God estranged from God
Bought by such love, my life is not my own
My praise, my all, shall be for Christ alone

CHRIS ANDERSON / GREG HABEGGER

I prayed this.

My prayer for today: (if you would like to, please feel free to add your own prayer here):

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Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello

Where and When

The church is open for activities throughout the week but if you are just seeking us out it is likely that you will want to come and be a part of our Sunday worship which is core to what we are about.
We meet in the main church building (details here) at 10:30 each week. See our calendar to find out plans for the next few weeks.

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There is wheelchair access and a sound loop for anyone who needs it. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up. There are disabled toilets in the main foyer and church lounge.

Our Sunday Services

Sunday morning services are structured but informal. They include a mix of both contemporary and traditional worship songs and hymns, prayers, readings from the Bible and a sermon that unpacks this. Occasionally we will also have specific updates about ways that God has been working through and in people and activities. Once a month we celebrate communion as part of the service. The last Sunday of the month is usually an Altogether Service when all ages are all together in one place for a more relaxed and activity based time of worship.

We aim to finish at about 11.45 to Midday when we serve free tea, coffee and cold drinks. This is a great opportunity to get to meet people.

Sunday Evening services, either in person or online, tend to be shorter and more reflective and are an opportunity to dig a little deeper into our relationship with God.

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Getting Connected

Small Groups

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If you are interested in joining a Small Group, let us know and we can put you in touch with the small group coordinator who will be more than happy to find a group that is convenient for you and introduce you to the group leader.

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