The cross is key to everything. An instrument of torture and death, it is also a symbol of God’s love and peace. On the cross Jesus died to deal with our sin and defeat the powers of death and evil. He identified with our sufferings and set us an example of self-sacrificial love. The idea of substitution lies at the heart of understanding what Jesus did on the cross: ‘For the essence of sin is man substituting himself for God, while the essence of salvation is God substituting Himself for man. Man asserts himself against God and puts himself where only God deserves to be; God sacrifices Himself for man and puts Himself where only man deserves to be.’ (John Stott)

Thy Kingdom Come’ (TKC) global prayer movement marks ten years. This year the global prayer movement Thy Kingdom Come will take place from Thursday 14th to Sunday 24thMay.

Spanning 11 days between Ascension and Pentecost, TKC encourages Christians to pray for five people whom they know (friends, families, neighbours) to come to faith. This year is a special one for Thy Kingdom Come. It was ten years ago, in 2016, that it began as a call to prayer from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York.

TKC has since grown into a global wave of prayer, involving tens of millions of Christians, in dozens of denominations, in almost 90% countries worldwide. To mark these first ten years, the new archbishop, Sarah Mullally, has written a Novena for the initiative.

This year’s theme is ‘God With Us’. With the help of leaders from across the church traditions, TKC will explore a different Bible story each day, one which demonstrates God’s transformative presence, power and love at work in the lives of people and communities. More information at: https://www.thykingdomcome.global/

Palm Sunday

Now to the gate of my Jerusalem, the seething holy city of my heart, the saviour comes. But will I welcome him?

Oh crowds of easy feelings make a start; they raise their hands, get caught up in the singing, and think the battle won.

Too soon they’ll find the challenge, the reversal he is bringing changes their tune.

I know what lies behind the surface flourish that so quickly fades; self-interest, and fearful guardedness, the hardness of the heart, its barricades, and at the core, the dreadful emptiness of a perverted temple.

Jesus come break my resistance and make me your home.

by Malcolm Guite. Poet in residence - Church Times

pollybrown@mottramparish.org.uk

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