What on earth does it take to get us to listen – and then live our lives in the light of the message?

Everyone knows that smoking is linked with lung cancer, drink driving with accidents, casual sex with disease, and drug taking with a much-reduced quality of life.

Perhaps we don’t listen. Perhaps we don’t want to hear. Perhaps we don’t care. Or we might be living in a fantasy world believing it could never happen to us!

In fact we are no better at hearing the really serious messages of life! 

God has been calling to us since the beginning of time. Creation’s beauty, order and provision for our needs, all speak of his great power and goodness to us. But the state of society confirms that even this message isn’t getting through!

So God has spoken one last time – through his Son, Jesus Christ. 

It may be, of course, that we don’t understand the language God uses. That’s why, as a last resort, he uses signs – the signs of a Cross and an empty Grave!

These signs symbolise the best news of all.

The Cross

  

In the death of Jesus on the first Good Friday, God showed his love for us by punishing his innocent Son for our sin, instead of us. Now that’s love for you!

 

The Grave

In the resurrection of Jesus on the first Easter Day, God showed his power over death – and his ability to give eternal life to all who believe in him as a free gift!

 Is the message getting through? God loves you! Christ died for you – and rose again to save you! He asks for nothing in return – except that you listen to what he says, and believe what he promises. Then live in the light of it. Now that’s Easter for you! Michael Toogood ‘Tooled-up for the task’ series based on Ephesians Chapter 6 continues next month.