Hello and welcome,

I know I am not alone in asking where has the year gone?  Even with Easter taking place at the latest point possible, somehow it still seems to have arrived without warning.  There is satisfaction in being busy and perhaps you remember being told that “the devil makes work for idle hands”.  So, not just me then!  In this season of Holy Week and Easter, we are encouraged to journey wholeheartedly with Jesus through the challenges of the cross, the tomb, and the resurrection. 

One thing I have been considering over these past weeks, indeed months, is that Jesus knew disappointment and caused disappointment.  He disappointed people, including his disciples.  He didn’t go where they wanted him to.  He healed one person at a pool where there were lots waiting for healing.  Mary and Martha struggled to understand why he came so late to heal Lazarus. (That is one that does end well!). 

During Holy Week he disappointed a lot of people.  The religious leaders were disappointed the disciples of Jesus didn’t just ‘haud their wheesht’ and that Jesus didn’t fade away into the background.  Pilate was disappointed that Jesus didn’t defend himself and that the crowd picked Barabbas. Were the disciples disappointed that Jesus didn’t ‘save himself’? 

There are times when we are disappointed with God, wondering how, why, surely if… Holy Week is surely full of those moments including for Jesus.  And many of us wonder if God is ever disappointed with us.  Did you think “yes” to that? Often, we are incredibly hard on ourselves and somehow think that we should make God pleased with us first. 

However, Holy Week and Easter is our reminder that God loved us first.  God sent his Son for us in love.  And the words from the cross ‘Father, forgive them for they know not what they do’ are incredibly powerful.  For in these words, I am reminded that no matter how much I think I have disappointed God, he still loves me deeply.  And his love for me encompasses all my failures and forgives me, loving me into his Kingdom.  

Nevertheless, let me encourage you to find time just to sit with Jesus – on the donkey, in the temple, in the upper room, in the garden, courtyard, Pilate’s house, at the cross, at the tomb and on the beach.  Certainly, God doesn’t disappoint us at Easter!  He defeats death and resets the relationship between divinity and humanity.

You are very welcome to find out more at Moncreiff – come along to worship on a Sunday morning 10:30am or via YouTube anytime.  Also available on the telephone (01355 681230) for the price of a local call.  Drop into Kettle’s On every Thursday and meet folks, including me or get advice or support with cost of living, debt, form filling and more.  Check out the website or Facebook for details of the many things going on around the Church and within the community.  However, more than anything, we’d love to help you explore faith and meet God who loves you and isn’t disappointed in you! 

‘Blessed are those who have not seen and have yet believed.’ John 20:29

Have a blessed Easter season (all 7 weeks of it!)

Love Sarah