Devotion
Who likes Hot Cross Buns?
I enjoy hot cross buns. Have you ever wondered why we have Hot Cross Buns for Easter?
The cross on the top of the bun telling how Jesus died on the cross, how it looks like the stone rolled across the tomb, the spice inside reminding us of the care of Jesus’ body, and the yeast (and raisins) to make the bun rise like Jesus rose from the dead. Hot cross buns were traditionally eaten on Good Friday. Now we can enjoy them more often.
Why hot cross buns? Why do Australians celebrate Easter?
After teaching an English class to people from overseas about why Australians celebrate Easter, a couple from China asked, “Why did Jesus have to die on the cross?”
Why exactly. Why would someone who was completely innocent - even the judge said so - die sacrificially on a cruel cross?
Easter is a confronting story and a hopeful story, all at the same time. And it is more than a story. On the first Easter, Jesus was arrested on made up charges, given unfair trials, declared innocent, and yet was crucified on a cross. People threw accusations at him, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah whom God has chosen!”
It wasn’t nails that held Jesus to the cross. It was love. Love for you and me. Love for the whole world. It was through this incredibly painful act that Jesus took our lack of love, selfishness, guilt, shame, fear, regret, and brokenness onto the cross. It is his love for us and willingness to pay the price for our sin so that we are now free. What an amazing act of sacrifice to rescue, save and redeem people, including us, including the criminal on the cross beside Jesus.
The criminal said to the other criminal, “We are getting what we deserve for what we did; but Jesus has done no wrong.” And the criminal said to Jesus, “Remember me, Jesus, when you come as King!”
Jesus, while dying on the cross, responds with amazing words of grace, “I promise you that today you will be in paradise with me.” At Jesus’ most excruciating and painful moment of his life, Jesus gives the criminal, gives us, grace. What amazing grace and love Jesus gives us. Because of Jesus’ death, we too will be in paradise with him. This is why it is not Bad or Sad Friday. This is why it is Good Friday, because of God’s great love for you. And this is not the end of the story. 3 days later is the other side of this amazing story of grace, Jesus is risen!
So why do we celebrate Easter? Because of God’s great love for us that he gave his only son, Jesus Christ, to die for us so we live in God’s freedom, peace, hope, joy and love, forever.
Happy Easter!
Pastor Richard Fox
Easter Services at Good Shepherd
When your life begins again...
You are welcome to join us as we come together to reflect and celebrate God’s love for us and his gift of New Life...
Over Easter we will:
- reflect on Jesus’ call to love and serve on Maundy Thursday,
- witness an interpretation from some who experienced Jesus’ sacrifice firsthand and the effect it had on them on Good Friday,
- respond with joy as we celebrate Jesus’ victory over death and the New Life He offers to us.
Look forward to seeing you very soon!
Sunday Service Times at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Wild Goose Worship for Kids
Wild Good Worship is a cool name, don’t you think? A wild goose is actually a Celtic Christian symbol for the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit is wild like a goose. We can’t try to tame Him because He is unpredictable! The Holy Spirit is free; He has His own amazing plans for us instead of what we think should happen. Together we will unlock the gifts God has given us to release whatever the Holy Spirit wants us to. Come along kids and join us as we see the Holy Spirit’s plans for our gathering unfold! Let’s see the Wild Goose fly!
2026 Worship Song Playlist
Do you find yourself wondering what songs we sing in Wednesday Worship? Do your children come home singing some of the songs? We invite you to enjoy our Good Shepherd School Worship Song Playlist on YouTube. To find a selection of songs that we sing, click here and start singing along!