From the expectance of Palm Sunday, through the confusion, disbelief and horror of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, we have finally arrived at the moment which puts everything into perspective. That early morning discovery in the garden, the realisation, the elation, words really do fail to capture the immensity of what Mary found that day, what she would relate to others. What the other disciples would then need to verify and eventually mansplain to the wider population.
Taking my theme of Windswept across the UK there have been interesting conversations about trees in many unexpected places. I’m very much looking forward to being able to share some of those conversations and other thoughts with you at the May Assembly in Colchester. But one tree-based thought for you this Easter, as we prepare for chocolate eggs and spiced hot-cross buns (though I think my wife would prefer chocolate hot-cross buns and leaving eggs to one side). We often talk about our Saviour who hung and suffered “on the tree”, but where did that particular tree come from. In the “parable of the three trees” (if you weren’t at my initial Presidential church service at Taunton last May, please ask one of the many who were there), we are told that the plank of wood which Jesus was nailed to had been rejected by the craftsman as being too warped and knotty to be of any practical use and was therefore cast aside. Yet that piece of wood had been cut down by someone, had been processed in some way, human hands had transformed it into something without knowing the purpose for which it would be ultimately used.
When we as Christians are speaking to those who have not yet found faith, those who are exploring what it means to truly follow Christ, I like to think that we are “processing” them in some way, preparing them for the Lord’s greater purpose. Ready for the day when they can be used for mighty works in his name. In order for the plank to have been available, people must have been involved in planting, nurturing, mulching, chopping etc. so that when the time came, when the plank was sent for, it was there ready to be used.
You can’t have an empty cross without the initial tree. In order that we can ensure there are always trees available for the Lord’s purpose, we must keep working the forest; planting, pruning and tending.
Oliver Kinchin
Comentários