Famous Last Words
Australian icon and infamous outlaw Ned Kelly is reported to have uttered the phrase “Such is life” moments before he was hung in Melbourne Gaol on November 11, 1880. The words speak of an inevitability of death, and an acceptance that ultimately, you get what you deserve.
Ned Kelly was punished for his crimes by execution, yet every Good Friday we commemorate and celebrate a man who was punished unjustly. As Jesus hung on the cross, he died the death of an outlaw, yet we know that this man was innocent.
The Bible makes it clear that Jesus came with a mission. Jesus’ death on the cross is in our place for our sins meaning that we no longer have to face the wrath of God and suffer eternal separation from the One who gives life. When Jesus utters his final words, “It is finished”, his mission is complete. Those who put their trust in him get the exact opposite of what they deserve. Through his death Jesus gives us real hope that we don’t have to face the inevitable, because he has done it on our behalf. That is why Good Friday is so very good!
Why don’t you come along this Friday at 9am and hear more about the finished work of Jesus and the real hope that is available through him?
Our search for security
After the tragic crash of Germanwings flight 9525, we have now heard the awful news that this crash that killed 150 people was a deliberate act of murder by the co-pilot.
Ironically, the very security precautions that were introduced to prevent an intruder from entering the cockpit ended up enabling the co-pilot to commit this act of mass-murder.
When we fly in a commercial airline, we have trust and security in the pilots, but this is another reminder that the effects of sin leave us without any certainty in humans or institutions.
We make plans and pursue dreams, but in the end, we can never have full certainty in people and organisations.
The one exception to this is Jesus.
In the midst of tragedy and uncertainty, we must hold onto real hope in the real Jesus with full assurance and confidence.
Let us pray for the families and friends of the victims, “while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” (Titus 2:13-14).
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