March/April 2025

‘Many indeed are the wondrous happenings of that time: God hanging from a cross, the sun made dark, and again flaming out; for it was fitting that creation should mourn with its Creator. The temple veil rent, blood and water flowing from his side: the one as from a man, the other as from what was above man; the earth was shaken, the rocks shattered because of the Rock; the dead risen to bear witness of the final and universal resurrection of the dead.’
In these words, Gregory of Nazianzus explores how the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus were events that upended the cosmos. The sun darkens as if to put on funeral clothes to mourn the death of its Creator. The earth shakes, trembling in shock at this event taking place; some of the dead return to life eagerly catching a glimpse of this first resurrection which secures the final resurrection of all the dead. What a brilliant picture!
Yet, having wondered at these spectacles taking place around the death and resurrection of our Lord, Gregory then says this: ‘Yet not one of them can be compared to the miracle of my salvation.’ Wow! How true that is! That Jesus saved me, through his death and new life, is what makes me marvel the most. I know my sin and how unsavable I am. Yet the impossible is made possible as the Creator hangs on a cross to take my sin and rises again to give me new life.
As we approach Easter, we have included a selection of articles to help us marvel at this event. Pete Roberts writes about the Easter love that Jesus shows Peter and Sammy Davies explores the balancing of honesty and hope in Easter. Recounting how Handel’s Messiah came to be composed, Jonathan Hodgins draws out the happy ending we anticipate, and in ‘Forsaken for us’ Cath Cowton brilliantly shares her own experience in coming to realise how the cross helps us live through trials.
More than that, we have a range of articles on an assortment of topics and themes. We’re continuing our various series including a new one exploring how we live out our faith in our work and we have a selection of news and reviews to round it all up. May God bless you and do you good as you read on.