Jenny’s letter 13th April
Dear Friends,
A central theme of Lent is embracing humility over power. Jesus exemplified this through His life—washing His disciples’ feet and sacrificing Himself on the cross.
True greatness, He shows us, comes not from power but from serving others in love. In Philippians 2:3-8, Paul urges, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Lent, and Palm Sunday in particular, call us to embrace humility, letting go of selfish desires and focusing on serving others.
Looking Toward Easter: A Time of Hope
Easter is a celebration of Christ’s resurrection, the ultimate victory over death. Through His resurrection, we are promised new life and salvation. As Lent continues, we begin to look toward Easter with hope and anticipation.
In preparation for this great festival, a group of us gathered in fun and friendship, but also with the goal of increasing people’s confidence with flower arranging in preparation for decorating the church. Most people love to see flowers in church at this time, but we now have very few people who have ever arranged them. I am excited to say that after our evening, though there was no requirement on people, we have a little group keen to put their lessons into practice.
If you couldn’t come but want to be part of preparing the church for Easter do come along. Arranging flowers, is an opportunity to serve God and our church in a creative way. Just as flowers grow from the soil and bloom in spring we, too, experience growth after hardship. Easter brings a message of hope: new life follows dark seasons. Christ’s resurrection shows us that death does not have the final say—life does. As we prepare for Easter, we are reminded of this hope, central to the season.
Humility Over Power: The True Meaning of Easter
Easter teaches us that God’s kingdom is different from the world’s understanding of power. Jesus didn’t come to rule with force; He came to serve. He humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross. On Palm Sunday, He entered Jerusalem not on a mighty horse, but on a humble donkey. Lent has called us to reflect on this humility and consider how we can follow Jesus’s example. Palm Sunday is a significant reminder that true greatness doesn’t come from power or success, but from embracing humility and serving others.
Conclusion: A Heart Prepared for Easter
As we prepare for Easter, we are called to follow Christ’s example of sacrificial love and embrace humility. I wonder what journey you have been taken on during this Lenten season? I wonder how you are changed from the person you were six weeks ago? I wonder, what God asking of you now?
This weekend we have the baptism of Joshua. For all Christians, baptism marks the start of our spiritual journey. In baptism we are freed from the penalty of human sinfulness and made right or justified.
Sometimes, we need seasons like Lent or other restful times during the year to check the compass and see where we are heading. Eternity or glorification is a long way off. But, with an attitude of love and humility we enable glimpses of that resurrection life to enter into the world now. You may be the hope and joy for another. You may see that hope in the love and service given to you by others. You may be assisted in glimsping heaven in the beauty of flowers and the birdsong that is so prevelant at this time of year.
Looking ahead to Easter, let’s remember Matthew 21:9: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Just as flowers bloom in their season, may our hearts bloom in the humility of the crucifixion and the joy of the resurrection that follows.
With every blessing for you in this Holy week to come,
