Real Hope: The Passion - Week 2Sample

The Crown Of Thorns

Before starting one of the training sessions at the gym I used to go to, an instructor approached me and asked if I was a Christian. I said yes, and then she asked if I would meet her to have a coffee after my session because she had questions about God. Of course, I would do that. One of my deepest longings is that everyone would know there’s a God who truly loves them. The conversation over coffee was wonderful. This young woman had just seen the movie The Passion of the Christ. The scene with the tangible suffering of Jesus as He was whipped and the crown of thorns was forced down on His head made a life-changing impact on this young woman’s heart. For her, this act presented a God who suffered with all those who have ever suffered. It was also personal for her as she realised that a costly gift was given in Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection that was for her. She simply said, ‘Jesus died for me, and I want to understand why.’ We talked and prayed at that little café table, and then she signed up to do an Alpha course and started going to church. Along the way, she decided to believe Jesus’ death and resurrection were a gift to be lived now and for all eternity.

I still see her occasionally, and it’s wonderful to know her family is all leaning into their faith in God in the joys and sorrows that life brings. There is a different way of being that we can explore if we would ask this same question. Why did Jesus suffer and die for me? If you haven’t asked that question before, I hope you will today. As you seek the answer, I also hope you’ll find the God who loves you and always has.

Written by KATH HENRY