CRU Update

I wonder what your answer would be to the question, “How is your life going at the moment?” Perhaps you might talk about School and how you have a lot of assessments coming up, or you might talk about rowing and the quickly approaching Head of the River race. Others may be consumed by rehearsals for the upcoming musical. Whatever it may be, I wonder whether God was anywhere in your answer.

Huge crowds flocked to the Christian Studies centre last Friday to hear God’s Word from Isaiah 9. After a brief introduction from Mr Kellahan, Reverend Benn challenged us as we considered what God’s part in our lives is. We also heard how the people in Judah continued to reject God and go their own ways instead, which will eventually result in God’s judgement in allowing the enemies to invade Judah. However, God is not only just, but also merciful. As we considered the beginning of Chapter 9, we read about an important promise which has changed history forever. It spoke of a child who would be born and called “Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” God promised that He would send a great king who would reign forever in justice and righteousness, providing peace for the people. This was all pointing to the coming of Jesus. So, is Jesus part of your life? It is important to consider your response to Jesus carefully because, just like the people of Judah, we have all sinned and are cut off from God, but Jesus has the power and desire to save. Reverend Benn used an illustration to demonstrate this. In the analogy, Reverend Benn’s right hand represents each of us, while the left hand represents Jesus, and God is above. Imagine every time we have made a mistake, it is recorded in a book. The book recording our sin is on us (right hand) and separates us from God. But when Jesus died for us, the sin was placed on Him (left hand), and He takes the punishment for our sins, meaning the book is transferred to the left hand, which is Jesus. Now there is nothing in the way between us and God. It is because of Jesus that we can be in a relationship with Him and have the hope of eternal life, which is really something to be thankful for.

Daniel Becker
Year 11