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02. The King of Love (pt1)

Tuesday 13th Feb 

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(for more details see here)

 

Pause:

Take rest in the strength and safety of Christ’s love surrounding and sustaining you.

O Lord, You are the God who is Love itself, love’s true source and constant driving force
So to encounter You is to enter the Powerful Presence of Passion - Pure, Precious Passion
A Passion that nothing in all creation can separate us from.
Nothing done to us and nothing done by us can slow it or stop it.
Nothing.
 
The worst-case scenario of our lives – to lose or to lessen the flow Your love – is not even a possibility.
It has never crossed Your mind as an option…
not even for a moment.
And yet, in moments of frailty, fragility, frostiness and fear – it has crossed our minds, like an unwanted trespasser, an uninvited guest, an unwelcome tenant.

So here in Your Presence, would you heal our hurts, hold our hearts, and help our unbelief?

 

Today's reading: John 12. 12-19 

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Streets throbbing with people – families, residents, pilgrims, strangers… and there amongst the multitude, on the street corners and at the town gates, the unwelcome presence of the ever-watchful Roman guard. There was never any let-up from them, but they were particularly alert during Festival times such as these. And who could blame them? It was the time we forgot all restraint and sang aloud our ancient promises, remembering and retelling in bold, bright symbolism our Freedom Story. A freedom their very existence now denied, spoiled and tainted.
 
Today though, the Guard are especially unsettled: this impromptu celebration centres around a single person… One the crowds hold as a Prophet. To the Guard, Jesus of Nazareth had been a trouble-maker from the very beginning - just three short years ago. He has the ability to birth in people that most dangerous thing of all – hope.
To Rome - hope is childish dream to be left behind; but to this Jesus – hope is living and breathing and present and available to all. To Rome – He is a merely another revolutionist, but to the people – He is King. And Rome is scared.
  
Today, He rides in to a rising avalanche of cheers and chants. His parade wakes up a long-forgotten dream - long-hushed words now bellow in the streets:
“Blessed is One who comes in the Name of the Lord…"
"Blessed is the King of Israel!”

 
The Pharisees look on too. A potent mix of disgust and anger is painted on their fuming faces. To us His Name on our lips is like sweet like wine, whilst the same name on theirs is a bitter vinegar: “Look at this! The whole world’s gone after Him!”
 

The King has come! His Kingdom is here! Not galloping through, high up on a War Horse: but low down at our level, among His people here.
Close enough to be touched.
Strong enough to save.
 
Finally, The Kingdom of Peace has come.
 
His song is exhilarating!
His presence is life-giving!
Long may it last!
Long may He reign!


Reflection:
In less than a week, these same streets will once more be lined with crowds. And Jesus’ journey through the streets will once again be the centre of attention. And the same crowds who once cried: “Hosanna!” (which means “Save us!”) will cry: “Crucify!”.
 
And yet in a strange way, although these two days couldn’t feel more different from each other, they are actually crying for the same thing.

Jesus will save us – but it will take His cross to do it.
Jesus is King – but His enthronement (or “lifting up”) will not on a throne of gold but a cross of wood.
He will wear the crown – but His will be made not of jewels but of thorns.


Question for Today:
Think about the places and the people that make up your day today. Ask yourself: “Lord Jesus, how might I welcome Your more of rule and more of Your peace in my world today?”



Prayer: 

King Jesus, would forgive us for all those times when we have welcomed You on our own terms
When we have called You King, but offered to You our own terms of appointment
When we have called You Lord but failed to obeyed Your word
Save us, King Jesus! By Your cross, save us.
Save us from the kingdoms of cynicism, pessimism and fear, may Your hope conquer us.
Save us from shallowness, and from a faith that is swept along by the crowd, when Your presence is near to all.
Save us from judgmentalism, tribalism and suspicion.
May Your peace pervade our hearts, and be the celebrated song on the streets once more.

 I prayed this.

My prayer for today: (if you would like to, please feel free to add your own prayer here)


 


Glenys
Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello 

 

Where and When

The church is open for activities throughout the week but if you are just seeking us out it is likely that you will want to come and be a part of our Sunday worship which is core to what we are about.
We meet in the main church building (details here) at 10:30 each week. See our calendar to find out plans for the next few weeks.

Accessibility

There is wheelchair access and a sound loop for anyone who needs it. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up. There are disabled toilets in the main foyer and church lounge.

Our Sunday Services


Sunday morning services are structured but informal. They include a mix of both contemporary and traditional worship songs and hymns, prayers, readings from the Bible and a sermon that unpacks this. Occasionally we will also have specific updates about ways that God has been working through and in people and activities. Once a month we celebrate communion as part of the service. The last Sunday of the month is usually an Altogether Service when all ages are all together in one place for a more relaxed and activity based time of worship.

We aim to finish at about 11.45 to Midday when we serve free tea, coffee and cold drinks. This is a great opportunity to get to meet people.

Sunday Evening services, either in person or online, tend to be shorter and more reflective and are an opportunity to dig a little deeper into our relationship with God.
 

What about the children and youth?

We have a great programme for children of all ages, for more information about what happens please visit our Children and Youth page.

Getting Connected

 

Small Groups

It is often in smaller gatherings that we can really get to know other people. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week, some in the afternoon and some in the evening either in the church, in peoples’ homes or online    .
If you are interested in joining a Small Group, let us know and we can put you in touch with the small group coordinator who will be more than happy to find a group that is convenient for you and introduce you to the group leader.

Get Involved

There are plenty of opportunities to get involved with the life of our church. If you'd like to find out more, please let us know.

Get in touch with us to plan your visit
If you would like to discuss anything before you visit the church, get in touch and we can arrange a time to chat with you.
 
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