. In Mark 15:33-34, we read that as He hung on the cross “at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” – which means, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?””But why did Jesus make such a cry and what does it reveal to us about the plan of the Father and the work of Christ to save us?Shockingly, Jesus’ cry was the result of Him experiencing God’s rejection of Him. It was the result of Him knowing that the Father had, for the 1st and the only time in eternity, turned His smiling face away from His beloved Son (Mark 1:11).Why did this happen? Well, this happened not because Jesus had done something that had displeased the Father but because God was judging sin – not Jesus’ sin because He knew no sin, but the sin that had been laid upon Him; our sin for which He was receiving the punishment in our place (2 Cor 5:21).Here, at the cross, we see in the most terrible and clearest of ways how it is that you and I have been saved from our sins. We see that we have escaped the judgement of God and have instead been forgiven and reconciled to God as sons and heirs because Jesus –  because God’s beloved and perfect Son – took our sins upon Himself and then suffered and died in our place! As John writes in 1John 2:2, “He [Jesus] is the atoning sacrifice / propitiation for our sins”. He was forsaken so we could be forgiven. He was rejected so we could be redeemed & reconciled! 

  1. “Man of Sorrows!” what a name
    For the Son of God, who came
    Ruined sinners to reclaim.
    Hallelujah! What a Saviour!
  2. Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
    In my place condemned He stood;
    Sealed my pardon with His blood.
    Hallelujah! What a Saviour!
  3. Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
    Spotless Lamb of God was He;
    “Full atonement!” can it be?
    Hallelujah! What a Saviour!
  4. Lifted up was He to die;
    “It is finished!” was His cry;
    Now in Heav’n exalted high.
    Hallelujah! What a Saviour!
  5. When He comes, our glorious King,
    All His ransomed home to bring,
    Then anew His song we’ll sing:
    Hallelujah! What a Saviour!
  6. As we look forward to Easter morning and rejoice in the glorious victory of Christ’ resurrection and all that it has secured for us, let us also take time to remember the terrible and awful cost of that victory and let us thank and praise Him for being willing to suffer and to die for us.

Notices and points for prayerAs you will be aware, we will be re-opening the building this week. We will have a Good Friday service at 11am and an Easter morning service at 11am on Sunday. Please note that due to Covid restrictions it is only those who have submitted their names to Dawn who will be able to attend. I would also remind you that you should not attend if you have any Covid symptoms (temperature, loss of sense of taste or smell or a new and persistent cough). If you are attending then please ensure that you dress appropriately – we will have to leave windows and doors open to ensure adequate ventilation and so it may be colder than usual. Please do not aim to arrive at the service too early  (5 mins before the start should suffice) and keep to the 2 metre rule at all times (pre / post and during the service). You will be allocated a seat by the stewards when you arrive and we would ask that you keep to the one way system of travelling around the building. We would also ask that you refrain from using the toilets but the disabled toilet will be open for those who will need it – instructions for cleaning after use and the requisite materials will be provided for you. Please note that you will not be allowed entry to the building without a mask and you must wear it throughout your time in the building.
Please pray that Chris Rogers (our speaker) will know the Lord’s help as He prepares and delivers the message. Please pray that these services will bring glory to Christ and that they will be a blessing to all that are able to attend, as well as to those who will hear the word via CD or on line.
Today is Hetty Thompson’s 96th birthday! We thank God for her and for all of His goodness to her; & we wish her great joy in Christ today and always!
Next month”s RBT is looking at 1 & 2 Corinthians – please see attached.
Every blessing

Rich–Richard Jenkins 1cor6v11@gmail.com; 07761979015

Knowing Christ and making him known. Searching for timeless truth that’s relevant today. Connecting with others in authentic ways.

Lonlas Gospel Mission — a place to experience real life.