Easter 2004

April 1, 2004

137 people came to the service on Easter Day, more than double the number who attended the first Easter Sunday service last year. They brought with them flowers to transform the cross “From Tragedy to Triumph”. Throughout the Sundays of Lent symbols of the suffering of Jesus in his final days before his death are placed on or near the cross: crown of thorns, purple robe etc. On Good Friday nails are driven into the cross as we remember his brutal death. Then, as we celebrate his Resurrection on Easter Day, those symbols are removed and the cross (now wrapped in chicken wire) is transformed as the congregation come forward and place their flowers on the cross. The effect is visually stunning as the flowers transform the cross.

But it’s more than an impressive sight; it has deep theological meaning. The word “theology” literally means “God talk” and the significance of the transformed cross is that it speaks of God’s intimate love for each of us that can take our sufferings, our tragedies, our pains, and transform them through his grace and love.

As Christians we do not expect to be immune from the ups and downs of life; God does not “wrap us up in cotton wool” to insulate us from pain but he promises never to leave us nor forsake us but, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we might find the path to healing and wholeness and that, indeed, we might emerge stronger out of adversity.

In many times during our lives, our God enables us to transform our tragedies to triumphs.   Through our experiences of the grace of God, we can in turn support and encourage others.

This is a true Christian community:  a place where love is, and there is God!

Rev Fred Ireland