FOCUS ON FAITH

REV James Gibson, vicar of Holy Trinity, Hurdsfield I WONDER what you are looking forward to this Easter? Extra days off work, lots of chocolate, a joke or two on April Fool’s day? Time to stop, remember and celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ?

The modern interpretation of Easter – where everything is about holidays, eggs, bunnies and this year’s new thing, Easter trees (to hang your chocolate eggs on I suppose?) seems to have forgotten the final suggestion – stopping and remembering does not seem to fit.

This year, Easter Sunday is on the same day as April Fool’s Day. Some might say that there is some divine humour in that.

The Bible has something to say about it too. It says: ‘For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.’ (1 Corinthians 1:18, The Bible).

The message of the cross is that Jesus died and then was brought back to life so that we might have the opportunity to know God again.

In his death and resurrection, Jesus shows us his power and his love for every single one of us, all of us, whether we believe or not.

I wonder what you make of this Easter message: Is it foolishness or power? This Easter I will be gathering with folk from Holy Trinity Church here in Hurdsfield, as will many others in churches across Macclesfield, to stop, remember and celebrate.

Why not come along and join us and experience for yourself the power and the love of God who said: ‘I have come that you may have life and have it to the full.’ (John 10:10: The Bible).