Demolition manBy the Revd David Burgess
I grew up in Croydon, South London, during the 1960s and early ’70s. You may know that, from the late ’50s onwards, the borough was a suburban experiment; virtually the entire town centre and its periphery were torn up and replaced with contemporary, high-rise architecture. Over those years you could constantly see signs of demolition – the old being replaced by the new.
The trouble is that it’s now acknowledged as being a failed experiment; demolition didn’t give rise to the better future that was hoped for, and the town is beset by problems. If the new replaces the old, the new must be better…
The heart of the Easter message is that Jesus breaks down the old order of things and establishes a new order. What exactly was it that Jesus demolished on the first Easter morning?
The two most common pictures for what Jesus did at the Cross and Resurrection are in fact pictures of demolition and reconstruction. Firstly, he broke down the barrier between us and God, and secondly, in its place he built (or better, he became) the bridge between God and ourselves. Both images are true, and together they give us a full picture of what Jesus actually accomplished at the first Easter.
How do you think of Easter? In terms of new life, spring, and celebration? There’s nothing wrong with that. But if we only think that way, perhaps we don’t fully appreciate the mighty hand of God at work in accomplishing the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. On the Cross, Jesus absorbed the full power of everything that sin, evil, and death could launch at him. And on Easter Day that power was utterly transformed and used for good.
We only have a record of the key events in the life of Jesus – his birth, his work and his teaching, Good Friday, Easter Day, and a few weeks beyond. But these events taken together form a dramatic and powerful whole. My hope and prayer is that all of us will fully appreciate this at Easter time above any other.
News of extra services
In Holy Week, ‘Contemplative Fire’, the Fresh Expressions group who have worshipped at The Lee Old Church in the past, are doing so again. They and I have made sure that their services complement ours and don’t clash with them.
They meet for a foot-washing and Communion service on Maundy Thursday at 7:00 pm, a walk of witness, based at the church, on Good Friday from 2:30 pm, and a Vigil service on Easter Eve at 7:00 pm. They’ve extended a welcome to anyone who wishes to attend.