Daily ScripturePilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and said to them, ‘You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him.' (Luke 23.13-14)Daily ReflectionRoman officials like Pilate had the power and the duty to exercise summary justice when accusers brought an alleged criminal before them. This power was open, of course, to abuse, but it was generally practised responsibly. Pilate, a man well capable of harsh and provocative decisions, was not in sympathy with the baying mob of Judaeans who were ganging up on Jesus and gave his reasoned verdict – not guilty. Pilate was intimidated to override his conscience. The power of group think, the prejudice of invested interests can lead to terrible injustice. David Harmsworth
Daily Scripture:At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:60b-62)Daily Reflection:Jesus knew that Peter, one of the closest disciples of Jesus, would deny knowing him; that he would do so three times before the sun came the next day. Earlier they had shared the Passover meal together; Peter had been at Gethsemane as Jesus wept bitterly over what lay ahead; he’d been there when Jesus was arrested; he was there as Jesus is questioned at the start of the mock trial. After three years together, Peter denies having anything to do with Jesus - ‘Woman, I do not know him.’ All Jesus does is look at Peter, still with eyes of love, and Peter knows; he breaks down; he has let his Lord down. Don’t make the same mistake as Peter. If someone asks you about Jesus, if you know him, do not carry the guilt of denying him.And yet..... Jesus will continue to love you whatever you say. “Amazing love, how can it be?...” Revd David
Daily ScriptureBut this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. (Lamentations 3 v 21-24)Daily ReflectionThe Book of Lamentations is thought to have been written after the fall of the great city Jerusalem. Carnage was rife, suffering was immense for everyone there, and their situation was desperate. How then can the writer pen a verse so full of hope and joy? We have had our share of suffering in the last year, and this weekend we will remember the tremendous suffering that Jesus endured on the cross - but that's not all. We will also remember and celebrate the life-giving hope that we now have, because of his resurrection, and his conquering of death and suffering. In the Christian life, hope cannot be separated from suffering. Christians worship a God who does not watch us suffer from a distance, from the comfort of his heavenly throne - He is with us IN our suffering, He is the bearer OF our pain, and He IS the embodiment of hope. There truly is none like Him. Vicki Young
Daily ScriptureSix days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume…. Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. (John 12:1-3,7)Daily ReflectionMary’s love for Jesus is extravagant, over flowing and slightly embarrassing for the other people present. Her extraordinary gesture of anointing him with the most expensive perfume and wiping his feet with her hair must have seemed OTT even in that setting, where they had witnessed many things – not the least Lazarus’ resurrection from the dead. But before the week is over, Jesus himself will have died, been buried and finally resurrected. Not even his friends in Bethany could have foreseen what was about to happen. But Mary sensed that his death was drawing near and she wanted to prepare him, as best she could…Today is the start of Holy Week, when we walk with Jesus to his cross, his tomb and his resurrection. Will you join him on his road through pain to glory? Revd Ylva
