The heart of faith

At the heart of the Christian faith lies the crucifixion and ressurection of Jesus Christ. This one central act defines what Christianity is all about. It is in the crucifixion and ressurection that we come to understand who God is and how much he loves us.

It’s no mistake that Paul says that when he visits the people of Corinth the only thing he knows is Jesus Christ and him crucified (see 1 Corinthians 2:2).

It’s a sad truth that many Christians only ever think about the crucifixion during the Easter period (and even then few ever actually think about the cross).

In my days as a Methodist Minister I always did my best to encourage people to come to church on Good Friday (a public holiday of course in the UK). This was the day to bring your family (although to be fair it wouldn’t suit younger children because it was a preaching service) and think about the central theme of our faith. Invariably the congregation would be small.

Then on another occasion when Christmas was approaching I took the theme of the cross for one of my services. I was taken to one side by one of the important members of the congregation and asked why I had chosen to talk about the cross – which was an Easter theme – when we were approaching Christmas?

Sometimes Christians develop the attitude that the cross was a defeat that God put right on Easter day. This is not true. God was as active in the cross as we was in the events of Easter. Easter helps us understand what was happening on the cross but this is not turning to defeat to victory.

If you ever feel distant from God. Think of the cross. Remember the price that Jesus paid for you.

If you are suffering and feeling that God does not care. Remember the cross and the pain and anguish Jesus took on himself. Remember that God does understand suffering. Remember that suffering does not have the final word as you remember the ressurection.

May God bless you and help you.