What it means to live in the light of Easter

Publishing Secretary Major Malcolm Martin reviews Easter People by Phil Needham

DEVOTIONAL resources covering the seasons of Advent and Lent are plentiful, but fewer books are dedicated to continuing the journey beyond Easter towards Pentecost.

The daily meditations that Commissioner Phil Needham offers within this volume will help readers reflect upon what it means to live in the light of Easter, immersing them in the transformative promises of Kingdom living and new creation in Christ Jesus.

Each daily meditation offers suggested Scripture passages, a reflection aligned with a weekly theme and a short prayer, helping the reader to consider how they might draw closer to Christ. Given the Eastertide season covered by the book, the selected Bible readings are understandably weighted heavily towards the New Testament, but the range is expansive enough to ensure that the reader is engaging with sufficient breadth of Scripture.

The readings also vary considerably in length, but this helps to guard against the dangers of a limited approach to engaging with Scripture, where we think we are ‘done’ after a requisite reading time has been reached. Many of the Bible readings will provide considerable scope for reflection and prayer from the outset.

The meditations themselves are written in a thoughtful and engaging style, offering some questions for ongoing reflection and incorporating a variety of supportive illustrations. These are primarily personal anecdotes drawn from Needham’s own experiences of the Christian journey, but these never feel exclusionary, and the reader may significance are contributions such as ‘Shine on Us’, ‘The Majesty and Glory of Your Name’, ‘Just Where He Needs Me’, ‘Lord of the Harvest’ and ‘Great, Great Morning’.

Excellent instrumental contributions have enhanced many of the songs, in particular the sensitive piano accompaniment of Susan Avison.

The 20 tracks provide ample opportunity to listen, sing along and share in the experience of enjoying the essentials of the album.

Beyond… is available from sps-shop.com as a CD priced £9.99 (plus postage and packing) and as a digital download priced £7.99 well identify similar moments in their own life.

There is an occasional nod towards helpful prompts for reflection offered within popular culture – I was willing to overlook the ascription of ‘The Sound of Silence’ to Bob Dylan rather than Paul Simon, as the point being made about the isolation of prophetic voices was a valuable one.

The book is mainly intended for individual use, although it offers suggestions as to how it might foster the sharing of insights with a group. Anyone wishing to reflect deeply upon what it means to share in the story of being ‘Easter people’ will find much to encourage them on their own journey of faith.

Easter People: Daily Meditations for the Eastertide Season is published by Crest Books