Christians believe that the cross of Christ stands at the very center of human history – at the heart of God’s plans of redemption and at the core of our existence as a people of God. But what exactly did the cross achieve?

Have you ever watched a documentary on the opening of the American west in the mid-19th century? It’s all very fascinating and exciting – the story of the gold rush of 1849 and all the rest. But one cannot help but feel a sense of gratitude for the luxuries of the 21st century.

What is the right thing to do when you hear a fire alarm? Most of us know the correct answer: we should make your way safely and quickly out of the building by route of the designated exit.

It’s one thing to start well. It is quite another to finish well. We can all think of figures in the public realm – in politics or the arts or sport – who made an impressive-looking start, only to finish in shame and disaster.

In the world of mining, it’s often the deepest mines in the most challenging places that yield the richest treasure. And sometimes it’s like that with the Word of God. Sometimes the places where we have to do the most digging and work the hardest give us some of the greatest spiritual reward.