“Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.”
Isaiah 53:4 NKJV
God Almighty,
It is no secret that Jesus suffered. From the beginning of His life as a refugee and then terribly, horribly mercilessly at his false trial and on the cross. Not just tiredness, hunger, thirst and threat of harm but the most physically challenging punishment and death imaginable. What could motivate anyone to go through that? And He was willing and committed and for people that didn’t care and those few who didn’t really understand? Yet, Your Son, who was there at creation, before we ruined it, and who saw the rebellion of those He created – was willing, committed and saw it through.
Lent is the season when we are challenged, given the opportunity, to again consider what our Salvation means and cost. In a wonderful, mysterious and yet unimaginable awful way he suffered in our place, enduring the pain that would bring our healing and peace. Amazing that Isaiah prophesied it all those years before ( about 700 years?) in the verses above.
We join with the writers of the song below in asking, what kind of love is this, that gave itself for me? And worship You. You are all encompassing love, that we can never fully know even if we spend a lifetime experiencing it! So long, wide, high and deep (Ephesians 3:18). We give You praise and worship and thanks today that Your Son set His face towards Jerusalem and completed what He left glory for. Our salvation.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Suggested for prayer . . .
God who knows suffering,
For our family, friends and neighbours. Your divine help for their needs today and ongoing.
For our church family. Our ministers and church leadership. Each local congregation to grow.
For the Royal family. Their well being and health.
For our government. House of commons, House of Lords, civil servants. Light the way ahead.
Our prisons, prison chaplains. Youth justice system and al those involved. Innovators.
For farmers at this busy time planting. Giving thanks for food grown in the UK.
For an end to the war in Ukraine. Remove the blockages to peace.
For Gaza. a way to end hostilities and broker peace. Safe delivery of medical and food aid.
For the many charities and missions we support around the world.
For us to know the joy of spring coming even if we cannot see lambs gambling in fields.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Sunday 17th March 2024
Story of this hymn, at the bottom, after the lyrics.
What kind of love is this
that gave itself for me?
I am the guilty one,
yet I go free.
What kind of love is this,
a love I’ve never known;
I didn’t even know his name –
what kind of love is this?
What kind of man is this,
that died in agony?
He who had done no wrong
was crucified for me.
What kind of man is this,
who laid aside his throne
that I may know the love of God –
what kind of man is this?
By grace I have been saved;
it is the gift of God.
He destined me to be his own
such is his love.
No eye has ever seen,
no ear has ever heard,
nor has the human heart conceived
what kind of love is this?
Lyrics: Bryn and Sally Haworth
Bryn was one of the UK’s foremost rock and blues guitarists. Playing with Led Zeppelin, Gerry Rafferty, jamming with Jimi Hendrix, and recording sessions for the BBC’s “The Old Grey Whistle Test”. He toured in America and eventually moved to Woodstock , New York where he met his wife, Sally. They returned to the UK in 1973, living in a remote cottage in North Wales, where a year later they started a journey together into Christian faith.
It began with a big tent Christian rally (Bryn says they thought the big top housed a circus, which is why they went in). They then wanted to write songs that spoke directly to the God of their experience and the prayerful conversations they were having with God-in-Jesus. Over the years, Bryn and Sally have worked in prisons, led worship and performed in Christian arenas throughout the world.