It's only just begun

For Christians (and churches) that don't follow a liturgical calendar, it's easy to lose track of the fact that Easter is just the beginning. Most of us probably enjoyed the long Easter weekend, had an extra-special Sunday meeting, took new family photos and then went back to work. That's certainly what I did, and I don't begrudge anyone who did the same... but the fact remains, Easter is just the beginning. On Resurrection Sunday, Jesus is only getting started. Some of the most remarkable displays of what God is like come to us after the resurrection. And the new race of humanity that Jesus ushered in is just getting started too.

Jonathan PuddleApril 4, 2018easter, jesus, new beginningsComment

He came to be trampled on

The year is 1637. You are a priest, who has travelled to Japan to locate your former teacher. You travel from island to island, encouraging tiny groups of Christian believers, who are hiding for their lives. You are eventually captured by the Inquisitor, who tortures other believers in front of you in an attempt to make you renounce Christianity. Eventually the Inquisitor offers to end the torture if you will simply tread on an icon of Jesus.

Jonathan PuddleMarch 28, 2018easter, jesus, palm sunday, sufferingComment

At the feet of Jesus

We can interact with Jesus in many different ways. Spiritually, mystically, communally, obediently, bodily... but it's all a manifestation of the the same thing. Everything we do for one another is serving God himself, and when we serve God alone in worship and adoration, we also serve each other.

Jonathan PuddleFebruary 5, 2018jesus, church, communion, intimacyComment

Why am I here?

God created us (which includes you) to be the object of his love and affection. He created you just so that he could get to pour out his love on you. It's his joy and his privilege. He created you to be the recipient of his love, forever. And that means...

Jonathan PuddleJanuary 29, 2018empowerment, love, purpose, God's love, jesus, sacrificeComment