With deep sadness, the decision has been taken to close this Assembly from today, 19/03/2020, until the coronavirus Covid-19 has been conquered. The health of every one of our dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, both here in our own Assembl, and for the many who visit us, is of the utmost importance. Lord bless and keep you all safe and well, and we pray we will be able to gather again soon to further glorify His Name.
Friday 10 April 2020
Easter Message 10/04/20
A Man of Sorrows, and Aquainted with Grief”
It is truly heartbraking to see and hear of so many people across the world suffering from this awful disease, Covid-19. But it is ever good to consider and reflect upon The One who suffered more than any man ever has. His name is The Lord Jesus Christ, and His sufferings were for me, you, and all the people in the World.
He left His Father’s side and took flesh, being born of a virgin, and became the Saviour of sinners to all who would repent of their sins and believe His Gospel message of Salvation.
Jesus Christ - fully God, yet fully man - had great compassion on the people, healing everyone that came to Him carrying many diseases and ailments. We read in John’s Gospel account (chapter 11) that “Jesus wept” over a family bereaving the death of their brother.
Jesus Christ also wept over Jerusalem, (Luke’s Gospel account chapter 19) knowing of it’s forthcoming ruination.
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15)
Yet, this most lovely Man still had to go to Calvary’s Cross and lay down His sinless life, being crucified, that each of us can be forgiven for our own sins, know real peace with God and have eternal life in Heaven with Him.
The prophet Isaiah foretold (chapters 52 & 53) that Jesus Christ would be so scourged and brutalised at the hands of wicked men, to the extent that His form would literally be unrecognisable as that of a human being. These verses also tell us He would be known as “A Man of Sorrows, and aquainted with grief”. Further to these appalling physical atrocities, He suffered intensely, (Luke’s Gospel account chapter 22, and Matthew, Mark, John), anguished at fully knowing the horrors shortly to be when He would take all our sins upon Himself and all that entailed. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death”... “An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him”...”And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground”.
Yet even more suffering was still to come. The greatest suffering of all.
Hanging on The Cross, at the height of the day there became a darkness over all the land for three hours. The Father there punished His Son, who had taken upon Himself my sin, your sin, and the sin of every person in the world. Alone, rejected by men, Jesus Christ cried out with a loud voice “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?”. We cannot even begin to enter into the depth of these sufferings.
Isaiah, again speaking of Jesus Christ says “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted”... “Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin”.
What wonderful love beyond expression The Lord Jesus Christ has for you and I! “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2nd Corinthians 5:21).
His sinless sacrifice - once for all - was completely accepted by The Father and Jesus Christ arose from the grave fully justified. A living, loving Saviour!
“I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore” (The Revelation 1:18)
Yes, He indeed knows more about sufferings than anyone, ever, and I repeat - it was all for our sakes. If you still do not know this most wonderful Man personally as your own Lord and Saviour, I urge you with all my heart to accept Him today. He will never let you down!
- Thy suffering love, Lord Jesus,
Our hearts delight to trace;
The love that sought and claimed us,
In strong yet tender grace. - We think of Thy devotion,
Thy blest obedience rare;
Thy holy, deep emotion,
Thy grief that none could share. - Thus to our hearts Thou speakest;
Blest Lord, we hear Thy voice;
We know its charm, its sweetness,
And in Thy love rejoice. - We wait the consummation
Of love’s own work divine,
And now in adoration
We joy that we are Thine
(G.A.Lucas)
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