“Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land to the ninth hour.”
(Matthew 27:45)
On that first Good Friday, from midday until 3pm, Christ entered into the most terrible darkness. The Light of the world was plunged into pitch black — so far did he wish to identify with us. He plumbed our depths. In the words of Stuart Townend, he “took the blame, bore the wrath: We stand forgiven at the cross!”
At Speak Life we have tried to put words (and images) to the glory of the cross and resurrection with our two special Easter videos for 2021. First we proclaim A Friend In The Darkness
This is the truth that Christ descended all the way down to our sin, shame and condemnation. As the true Friend of sinners, he joins us in our pit. But wonderfully, this is not the end of the story. On Easter Sunday we remember how he pioneers A Future In The Light.
Like a needle piercing the black shroud of death, Jesus came through to resurrection hope. And we, like thread, will be pulled through that same path — Hallelujah!
Please feel free to share these videos with loved ones. At the end the videos there are links to our Easter Means Hope website which is offering a free copy of my book Divine Comedy to interested enquirers.
Shining Light in Dark Places
Speaking of light in the darkness, Speak Life has been continuing to explore the sobering subject of abuse. From Ravi Zacharias to Jonathan Fletcher to John Smyth we have been confronted by the shocking reality of shepherds who harm their flocks. All our videos in the series can be found here including must-see interviews with Lori-Anne Thompson, Steve Baughman and Sam Allberry.
These are uncomfortable topics to address but we must not turn away. Those who seek lost sheep must be concerned for their provision and protection.
Please Pray For Us
We’re so grateful to those who give to our ministry (if you want to join with them, details can be found here) but even more we’d love your prayers. We feel the weight of the responsibility to lift up Christ and to shine the light into dark places. Will you ask our Father for his strengthening, wisdom and grace?
- Pray for our Easter outreach to bring good news to many. Pray especially for many to request Divine Comedy and meet Christ as they read.
- Pray for our ongoing engagement with the church abuse scandals. We need God’s wisdom, grace and courage. And pray that many wounded sheep might find again, through us and through others, reasons to trust again — to trust Christ and his church.
- Pray for me (Glen) as I write. There are a number of longer term projects I need to get ahead on including a book I think could do much good. More news to follow, but please pray.
Happy Easter everyone!
And remember: God loves you – pass it on!
