What would Tolkien think of his unknown success? Hollywood success that is! The tales of Middleearth have spread far and wide and would no doubt have surprised Tolkien himself. At least most of you who read this newsletter will have heard of “Lord of the Rings.” Whether you have read the book or not, you will probably have talked about the story and found yourself in conversation about the special effects in that visual struggle of good and evil.

Will God be as successful? A part of His Book, though put into film before has attracted great attention through “The Passion.” This presentation of Christ, whose story you will have often read, will be a talking point as it depicts His crucial struggle for mankind on planet earth. Christ’s words “it is finished” are wonderfully complemented by Christ’s presence at the Father’s right hand. Glorious success!

I am reminded of the success of His Passion in my own life by recently reading 2 Corinthians 5. The special effect that the death of Jesus had upon Paul, the Jewish writer of that letter sweeps through all that he has to say in the New Testament. Paul speaks of Christ’s compelling love so effective in him, His death for all and His life that changes living. Amidst the verses that speak of a new perspective because of that new life in Christ and the privilege of being a representative of a reconciling message, Paul reveals the depth of God’s passion. What apart from real love could make him who knew no sin to be sin for me?” What apart from real love could deal with the condemnation that was rightfully mine? What astounds me most of all is, where God was in all this. Where was He when the judgement for my sin fell upon Christ, when my condemnation and punishment under the law became His on that hill of death? Should I be amazed? More like overwhelmed, for God was in Christ reconciling me to himself! 2 Corinthians 5:19.

It was not the external physical agony alone that ended in death for the Man from heaven but surely an internal agony that pierced the very heart of God. He paid the penalty for my sin and no longer holds my sins against me. I can live forever in the good of His forgiveness and enjoy a life I did not deserve. The eternal love that God cannot help offering with outstretched arms to a needy world, is made mine through His suffering at Calvary. I shout “Hallelujah!” “Why did He die?” I ask. For me and you.

And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors as though God were making his appeal through us”—2 Corinthians 5:19,20.

Some message, and worth talking about!

Mark Thomas. Director, Capernwray Hall