In the run up to Easter we’re taking a short break from Ephesians to walk the road to the cross — the events that changed the world. And we’re doing it through the eyes of John, “the disciple Jesus loved.”As John looks back, he notices the little clues, Easter Eggs, that Jesus left along the way — the signs that this was always the plan. The cross was not a tragic accident or a last-minute rescue mission. It was always how God intended to reconcile humanity to himself and renew the whole creation.This Sunday, we are in one of the most painfully relatable moments in John’s Gospel. Two grieving sisters reach out to Jesus with words many of us have felt ourselves: “Lord, if you had been here…”Who Jesus reveals himself to be in that moment - and what he does - remains our solid and confident hope today.

As history, experience and recent events show, people are really good at building walls - disagreements with others that turn into discord, separation and isolation. Making peace can feel almost impossible.But what if the cross of Jesus doesn't just reunite people with their Creator? What if it also brings separated, isolated, even hostile people back together?That's exactly what Paul is saying in Ephesians 2: 11-22. IN days where we are seeing so much hostility, here we find real hope!

What difference does Jesus actually make to our lives? Does he tidy us up around the edges, make us nicer, more rounded people? Or is the change altoegther more radical? Paul seems to think so! (Ephesians 2: 1-10)