Pastoral Letter
Dear Friends, - here is a story that tells us so much about the true meaning of
Easter.
An orphaned boy lived with his grandmother. One night their house caught fire. The grandmother, trying to rescue the little boy asleep upstairs, perished in the smoke and flames. A crowd gathered around the burning house. The boy's cries for help were heard above the crackling of the blaze. No one seemed to know what to do, for the front of the house was a mass of flames.
Suddenly a stranger rushed from the crowd and climbed up an iron pipe that reached an upstairs window. He disappeared into the burning house for a minute, then reappeared with the boy in his arms. Amid the cheers of the crowd, he climbed down the hot pipe as the boy hung around his neck.
Some time later a public hearing was held in the town hall to determine in whose custody the boy would be placed. Each person wanting to adopt the boy was allowed to speak briefly. The first man said, "I have a big farm. Everybody needs the out-of-doors." The second man told of the advantages he could provide. "I'm a teacher. I have a large library. He would get a good education." Others spoke. Finally the richest man in the community said, "I'm wealthy. I could give the boy everything mentioned tonight: farm, education, and more, including money and travel. I'd like him in my home."
The chairman asked, "Anyone else like to say a word?" From the backseat rose a stranger who had slipped in unnoticed. As he walked toward the front, deep suffering showed on his face. Reaching the front of the room, he stood directly in front of the little boy. Slowly the stranger removed his hands from his pockets. A gasp went up from the crowd. The little boy, whose eyes had been focused on the floor until now, looked up. The man's hands were terribly scarred. Suddenly the boy emitted a cry of recognition. Here was the man who had saved his life! His hands were scarred from climbing up and down the hot pipe. With a leap the boy threw himself around the stranger's neck and held on for life. The farmer rose and left. The teacher, too. Then the rich man. Everyone departed, leaving the boy and his rescuer who had won him withouta word. Those marred hands spoke more effectively than any words.
One day we shall meet Jesus in heaven, and we shall see the scars in his wrists andankles and side, and know that he has rescued us from the evil of sin - from all theways we have failed God - our selfishness, self-centredness and all the ways wehave let God and ourselves down. His scars remind us that he made the ultimatesacrifice by dying an agonising death on the cross. Through his unselfish sacrifice hehas ensured that God sees us as perfect in his eyes, and that we are able to dwell inheaven with Him in eternity. His sacrifice is the ultimate expression of His love forus.
But Easter reminds us that he achieved even more than that - He rose victoriousfrom the grave. His resurrection confirms the enormity of His victory, andestablishes in our hearts and minds the truth of just who He is - the Son of God. Aswe sing in Edmund Budry's famous hymn on Easter Day:
No more we doubt thee, glorious prince of life!
Life is nought without thee; aid us in our strife;
make us more than conquerors, through thy deathless love:
Bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above.
I wish you all a very happy and blessed Easter.