Easter at All Saints
As winter arrives, I’m about to start up as the coach of my daughter’s netball team with the North Epping Rangers. I actually know very little about netball! Over time, I’ve been learning the rules of the game—where each position can go, the difference between contact and obstruction, and when pivoting turns into stepping. But one thing I didn’t need to learn is that performance matters. The better we play, the better our chances of winning. Of course kids sport is about more than just winning, but when you’re on the court, your goal is clear—you give it your all to win!
This focus on performance carries through to many areas of life. In our studies, careers, and daily routines, we know that effort leads to results. We study harder for better grades. We work more efficiently to earn recognition. Life often teaches us that success is based on how well we perform.
Easter presents a surprising challenge to that thinking. It’s easy to assume that our standing with God is also based on performance—if I’m a good person, if I help others, if I live the right way, then God will reward me. But Easter tells a different story.
Jesus came to die in our place because no matter how hard we try, we can never meet God’s perfect standard. Our hearts carry too much selfishness and pride. But here’s the incredible news: God’s love for us isn’t based on our performance. Instead of leaving us to struggle, he sent his Son, Jesus, to do what we could never do: to bring us to him. In his death, Jesus paid the penalty for our failures. In his resurrection, he won a victory that he invites us to share in.
This means that if we trust in Jesus, we don’t have to live under the performance pressure of trying to be “good enough” for God. We don’t have to carry guilt when we fall short. Instead, we can simply receive his love, knowing that Jesus has already won the greatest victory for us.
This Easter, I warmly invite you to join us at our church services. Come and hear more about this God who doesn’t judge you on your performance, but loves you completely through his Son, Jesus. You don’t have to earn it—just come and experience it for yourself.
— Anton Marquez
Senior Minister of All Saints
Good Friday, 18 April
- 9.30am A reflective service remembering Jesus’ saving death. Includes kids program.
Easter Sunday, 20 April
- 9.30am Morning Church a joyful service celebrating Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. Includes kids program.
- 6.30pm Easter on the Lawn. Come at 6pm for dinner before our fireside Easter service. Stay afterwards for marshmallows.