To celebrate Easter and share our message of hope and salvation with the local community of Ilford, where our office is located, The British Pakistani
Christian Association collaborated with local Christian printing company Ex-Nihilo and a local church Palm Tree Ministries, to create a stunning and
captivating window display.
The concept was a mutually agreed one and was a chance for all three groups to share the true meaning of Easter, which many people have forgotten.
Commercialism has removed Christ form the equation and now focuses on Easter Eggs and bunnies that have little to do with the long standing Christian
festival. Yet this massive traumatic event that occurred over 2000 years ago led to the creation of the largest monotheistic faith in the world which
is still represented in every country and has transformed and sustained the lives of many adherents.
Wilson Chowdhry Chairman of the BPCA, said:
“After the success of our Christmas window display in which we recreated a nativity scene we felt obliged to repeat the scope of the work for the Easter period. Our plain simple design full of symbolism and scripture has caught the eye of the local community and we have been surprised at the sheer large number of people who have stopped to view the display and read our banner. In times gone by, Churches up and down the country were involved in creating similar displays and we hope our small effort and the fact that our windows have not been vandalised, will inspire churches to reinvigorate the practice locally.”
The display contains a cross, a red sash, a crown of thorns and a lamb – which represent the love of Christ for his people, that he gave his life that
we might live. Christ was not king of the Jews but of the whole world, though He was as gentle as a lamb he had the authority of God as he was
the same God that created us.
At the back of the cross is a banner that contains three scriptural verses:
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
John 1:29
“Look, he is coming with the clouds,”
and “every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him”;
and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”
So shall it be! Amen.
Revelations 1:7
Our intention with this window display was to remind people of God’s ultimate sacrifice of His human life for His people. He came to earth as
a lowly human being suffered the ignominy of a brutal murder at the hands of his own creation so that we may be forgiven of our sins and no longer
have to follow the ritual practices of his old covenant, but live a life of love and hope in Him. Christ removed the blockage that prevented man having
a suitable relationship with him and told mankind they simply need to believe in Him to be saved and gain eternal life.
Christ rose form the dead was seen by many people and He will return once again at the final hour when he will be seen by all.