The Cross Brings Peace
The cross is the symbol of Christianity.
The cross is displayed prominently on almost every church. Christians often wear it and display it in their homes and when you see the cross you assume that it signifies something Christian. What exactly does this Christian symbol mean though? Most people recognize that the cross looks backward to the death and resurrection of Jesus. While there are many aspects of the cross and Jesus’ work on the cross, one of the major things that the cross means for Christians is peace. The cross brings peace into the lives of all believers. This may come across as a strange thing, because the cross was originally an ugly instrument on which men were hung to die. Yet today, for the Christian, this former instrument of death and torture means peace.
Peace is something that we all need. We have only to look at the news to recognize that our world is constantly in a state of strife. Nations are fighting against one another, men and women are scheming to defraud each other, many things are not as they should be. We do not even need to look beyond ourselves to recognize this: each of us has an inward sense that things are not quite right. We cannot control ourselves. Even at our best, we are still lacking. We have a sense that things should be better than they are.
Lenten Devotional by Dr Alvin Tey
What Is Lent?
The season of Lent is the period of 40 days before Easter. The word Lent is derived from the Old English word “lencten’ meaning springtime or spring, and also from the West Germanic word “langitinaz” meaning long-days or the lengthening of the day[1]. As suggested by its root words, the season of Lent not only coincides with the season of spring in the northern hemisphere, but it also signifies a period of spiritual renewal after death or after long days in the spiritual wilderness.
The season of Lent is upon us
The season of Lent is upon us, starting from 17 February 2021, which is Ash Wednesday. Lent is a 40-day period where believers take time to reflect upon Christ’s journey to the cross, death, burial and resurrection leading to Good Friday and Easter Sunday. This weekend, as preparation toward the start of Lent, here is an article published for last year’s Ash Wednesday but still remains relevant today.
Cru Singapore has produced a 2021 Lent devotional entitled, “Ashes to Resurrection,” which you can subscribed to here. They have also produced a series of downloadable wallpapers for smartphones with the Lenten theme here.
Above all else, Guard your heart
This week, we are showcasing a devotional clip from Cru Singapore, narrated by the National Director Lam Kok Hiang who is also on the Board of Directors at East Asia School of Theology. He reminds us to, “Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23). View his short devotional on video below or click here.
#SaturdayGoodClip this week is about Heart Renovation which can be messy and inconvenient. Clutter like distractions in life can choke our hearts. Take time this weekend to remove clutter, rest, reflect on everything excellent, praiseworthy and noble (Philippians 4:8), and renovate your heart.
Holy Week Audio Devotional Series
Would you consider using this audio devotional series during this Holy Week to prepare us for Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday?
The Holy Week Devotional series is a set of free, downloadable audio recordings of Scripture readings matched with related hymns to help believers meditate and reflect at any time during the day.
This devotional, based on the Revised Common Lectionary, begins on Palm Sunday and ends on Resurrection Sunday.
Sign up here: cru.org.sg/audiodevo
Come, slow down and journey with Jesus everyday towards His crucifixion, burial and resurrection.
EAST Library Catalogue
EAST Populi
National Library Board eResources
The Digital Theological Library
