The bigger picture

DURING lockdown, I found myself with more time to complete a 1,000-piece jigsaw. When I approach a jigsaw, I like to turn the lid over, hiding the picture and then spread out the pieces face up.

There are some easy starting clues of edges and corners and the knowledge that sky is at the top and sea at the bottom.

But other than that, it is a careful consideration of the shapes and colours, to build the picture.

In the one just completed, there were several pieces that I was sure fit in one part of the picture, but try as I might, I couldn’t make them fit.

It was only as that part of the picture built up that I found that the pieces in question belonged in another, surprising part of the picture.

Many people view life in the same way as the jigsaw though, thinking they know what the big picture is.

Jesus Christ came into the world to show us the picture: ‘I am the way and the truth and the life’ (John 14:6).

Many people have a vague knowledge of who Jesus is and what he did as he walked the earth and then use that vague knowledge to help them fit together their understanding of life and God.

But there is far more to Jesus than Gentle Jesus, meek and mild, the great teacher and healer.

We need to delve deeply into understanding who he is and for that we invite you to explore by joining with us on one of our Christianity Explored courses at Christ Church Wokingham which give you an opportunity to ask questions and dig deeper.