Pastoral Letter 260
Dear Members of St. Andrew’s Uniting Church, Friends and Adherents,
Grace and peace to you all. I hope all is well.
We are in the last week of the Lent Season, as we continue the last part of our journey with Jesus, who knew that He was heading to Calvary, to the cross, to be a willing sacrifice for our sins and to gives us hope of salvation through His death and resurrection. Last Sunday we celebrated Palm Sunday, and we were privileged with the visit of the Sydney Central Coast Presbytery’s Chairman, Rev. Keith Garner, who shared with us the message of the Gospel with the title “The Crowd that Followed Him into the City”. Tomorrow, we gather at the foot of the Jesus’ Cross, to see His pain, His suffering and His death, expressing His sacrificial love for us all.
Last Sunday afternoon, at St. Stephen’s Uniting Church 197 Mcquarie Street Sydney, a special Prayer Vigil Service was held to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and the 10th anniversary of the Genocide recognition by the Uniting Church in Australia. The service was hosted by the National Assembly in partnership with the Armenian Missionary Association of Australia, the service brought together ecumenical leaders, members of the Armenian and Middle Eastern communities, and people of faith from across the Uniting Church. UCA President Rev. Charissa Suli preached a moving and prophetic sermon, reminding us that “even when the world is silent, the stones will shout” (Luke 19:40), and calling us to be a people of truth, justice, and memory. Heartfelt thanks to Rev. Ken Day, Minister at St. Stephen’s, for his generous hosting; the Beverly Hills Uniting Church Brass Band and Mark Woodward for their beautiful music; and to all who led and served. The program included prayers, hymns, Scripture Readings, brief messages, lighting of 10 candles, Silent reflections, Armenian chants “Der Voghormia” (Lord have Mercy) and “Hyre Mer” 9The Lord’s Prayer) both sang in Armenia. At the conclusion of the Vigil, I did the Closing Prayer, and the blessing was given by the UCA President Rev. Chariss Suli.
On Sunday morning we gather again at the usual time for our Easter morning Service, to raise our voices and praise, celebrating the glorious resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
If you are not able to join us tomorrow for worship, please light a candle and join us for worship following the Order of the Service.
Please let me know if you or anyone else has prayer points.
Here are some prayer points for this week:
- Pray as we come to the end our Lent journey and prepare to raise our praise because He is alive.
- Pray for those who are affected by wars and natural disasters.
- Pray for trusting God and asking that He protect those who need protection.
- Pray for the poor, the sick, the hungry, the struggling and the stressed.
- Pray for the coming Federal Election on 3 May 2025 hoping and praying that the right people are elected to serve our country.
In Christ
Krikor
MESSAGE
The Final Seven Words from the Cross
John 19:1-42
As we drive through our cities or travel along highways, we often notice small wooden or plastic crosses by the roadside. Many of them are decorated with flowers, photographs, and personal notes—memorials that mark the exact place where someone’s life came to a sudden and tragic end. Each of those crosses tells a story. They stand in silence, but they speak loudly: “Life is fragile. Life is short. Don’t take a single moment for granted.”
But today, I want to draw your attention to another cross. Not one made of plastic or placed at an accident site—but the cross that stood on a hill called Calvary. It, too, marks a place where someone died. It was a place of agony, suffering, and sorrow. But unlike those roadside crosses, this one was no accident. What happened there was planned long ago in the eternal counsel of God. It was God’s way of dealing with sin and saving souls.
Like the roadside crosses, the cross of Christ is a warning and a witness—a warning of what sin does, and a witness to the love of God poured out for all who believe.
The Seven Sayings of Jesus: Life Lessons from the Cross
As Jesus hung on the cross, He spoke seven profound statements. These were not random words—they were divine declarations. They reveal the heart of God and the hope of salvation. Let’s walk through each one and see what they teach us today.
1. Forgiveness
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)
From the very cross where He was dying, Jesus offered forgiveness. The very people who nailed Him there—He prayed for them. That’s grace! That’s mercy!
No matter who we are, no matter what we’ve done, there is forgiveness at the cross. There’s no sin too deep, no shame too great. If the Roman soldiers could be forgiven, so can we.
2. Faith
“I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
One thief mocked Jesus, but the other believed. And with that simple, sincere faith, Jesus gave him assurance of eternal life.
It wasn’t about church membership, good deeds, or religious rituals. It was faith—pure and simple. This shows us that salvation is not earned; it’s received. The cross is where faith comes alive.
3. Family
“Dear woman, here is your son… Here is your mother.” (John 19:26–27)
Even in His agony, Jesus was concerned about His mother. He entrusted her to the care of John. In that moment, He formed a new kind of family—a spiritual family of believers.
At the cross, we’re not just saved—we’re adopted into the family of God. We become brothers and sisters in Christ, united by grace.
4. Forsaken
“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46)
This is one of the most mysterious and heartbreaking cries in all of Scripture. Jesus, the Son of God, was momentarily forsaken by the Father as He bore the weight of our sin.
Why? Because our sin separates us from God. And Jesus took that separation on Himself so we would never have to be separated again. At the cross, we see the cost of our sin—and the depth of God’s love.
5. Fire
“I am thirsty.” (John 19:28)
The One who said, “I am the Living Water,” now thirsts. Why? Because He was enduring the fire of God’s judgment.
Sin dries up the soul. It leaves us parched and lifeless. But Jesus thirsted so that we could be filled. He endured judgment so we could receive mercy. At the cross, the fire of judgment fell—so it wouldn’t have to fall on us.
6. Finished
“It is finished.” (John 19:30)
This wasn’t a cry of defeat—it was a shout of victory! Jesus didn’t say “I am finished.” He said, “It is finished!”
The work of salvation was complete. The price for sin was fully paid. There’s nothing left for us to do but believe. We don’t have to earn God’s love. We don’t have to try to be “good enough.” Jesus paid it all.
7. Forever
“Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit.” (Luke 23:46)
With His final breath, Jesus entrusted His spirit to the Father. This shows us that death is not the end. Our souls live on into eternity.
You and I will spend eternity somewhere. The question is—will it be with God, or without Him? Jesus invites us to place our lives in God’s hands today—so that when our time comes, we’ll already know where we’re going.
Conclusion: A Cross That Calls You to Respond
The next time we see a cross on the side of the road, let it remind us to pray for the grieving, to treasure life, and to drive safely. But more than that—let it remind us of the cross, the one that truly changes everything.
It is a place of:
- Forgiveness – for our past
- Faith – for our present
- Forever – or your eternity
We don’t need to carry our guilt any longer. We don’t need to fear death or wonder if God loves us. The cross answers all of those questions.
Invitation: Come to the Cross
If we’ve never truly come to the cross—today is the day.
If we’ve been drifting—come back.
If we’re weary from carrying sin or shame—lay it down. The ground at the foot of the cross is level. There’s room for us.
Let the cross that stood on Calvary become the cross that stands in our heart. Amen!
Closing Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for the cross. Thank You for the love that held You there and the victory that rose from it. Today, we come in repentance and faith. We surrender our lives to You. Make us new. Give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts that believe. In Your precious name, Amen!