"Lord, I am ready to go with thee..."

In today's sermon, the priest reminded us that Easter is no graduation for us.

This is something I have learned from the Bible's account of the events leading to the crucifixion of the Lord. Judas, one of the world's most condemned traitor, most certainly did not intend to play that role when he chose to become a disciple. Likewise, Peter did not never planned to deny Jesus, for three times, not once, before the cock crows on that fateful day. It was with total conviction that he said "Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death". Both of them could not see that they would go on to betray or disown their teacher. That was what made their remorse so strong - Judas killed himself while Peter wept bitterly. It was, in their own reflection, so out of character.

But Jesus knows them (and us) so well. He knows their (and our) weaknesses so well that He was able to predict what they (and we) would do. And His love for us is so great that He is not only ready to redeem our sins with His own blood but He also prays to God for our forgiveness on the cross: "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."

We must by now be very clear that, because of the weakness of our flesh and body, our belief when we were baptised one Easter many years ago that it was our graduation was a shaky one. We have to keep up our lifetime commitment and draw strength from our Lord Jesus to take our learning forward. This is well and truly lifelong learning.