I wonder what causes you anxiety? Maybe you aren’t too keen on spiders, or heights. Maybe its thinking about the future, or worrying about the state of the world and those who are in power?
Our Lent studies this year have been based on the online TV series ‘The Chosen’. This first series begins to develop the characters of Jesus and those who were around him. Mary Magdalene is portrayed as a troubled woman who has had a difficult past and yet in the online series, Jesus meets her with words from Isaiah 42: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name. You are mine.”
Whatever our fears and anxieties, Jesus says the same to us also- Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name. You are mine.
This month sees the celebration of Easter, the heart of our faith. The season that we remember all that Jesus endured for love of us – crucifixion and death, but also resurrection and eternal life. It is human nature to be afraid and yet Jesus tells us that we are loved, we are precious – after all, he died to redeem us and he knows each of us by name. More than this, he overcame all the powers of this world to be the first fruits of an eternal kingdom.
So as we trust in him, we need not be afraid. Jesus holds all of us and the world in his hands.
May you and yours have a blessed Easer
Your friend and minister
Cath
NB May I just thank everyone for your kind messages, cards and prayers on the passing of my mum and weeks later, the passing of my mum in law. Your care and concern has made all the difference. Many thanks.
