The Resurrection and the Life

15 Apr 2021 • From Bishop Richard Jackson

Bishop Richard reflects this week on the 'Good News' -- the Gospel -- the centrepiece of the Christian message being the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead at the first Easter.

The Apostle Paul writes to his friend Timothy, “Christ Jesus has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.”  In a world of hopelessness and anxiety, Bishop Richard considers that to be very good news indeed.

At Prince Philip’s funeral on Saturday 17 April, the triumphant words will ring out, “I am the resurrection and the life,” says the Lord. “Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”  All funerals remind us of our own mortality.  The resurrection of Jesus is our guarantor that this life is but a preparation for the eternal life that is to come.

The great prayer of commendation towards the end of the service will say,

God our creator and redeemer,
By your power Christ conquered death
And entered into glory.
Confident of his victory
And claiming his promises
We entrust Prince Philip to your mercy
In the name of Jesus our Lord,
Who died and is alive
And reigns with you,
Now and forever.
Amen.

Link to a transcript of this week's video message.