Dear Members of the Trinity Western University Community,
Holy Week, a series of seven days leading from Palm Sunday to Easter, invites us to follow Jesus' humble entry into Jerusalem to observe Passover, his condemnation, suffering and death on a cross, and celebration of his victorious resurrection. In Jesus' journey from Bethlehem to Golgotha, we encounter a loving, powerful, and merciful Lord. Yes, it's true that Jesus' death on the cross is an atonement (sacrificial payment) for our sins, but it is also much more than this.
Seeking to teach us about Jesus' exaltation, Luke says: "When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51). What a stunning difference between, "he set his face to go to Jerusalem," and the all too common view that this is the death of an innocent victim. Crucially, at every point, Jesus is Lord. He declares: "For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord" (John 10:17-18).
On this Good Friday, may you find hope in the knowledge that Jesus offered himself to save us from sin, darkness, and death so that we may experience forgiveness, freedom, and life.
May the crucified Lord grant you grace and peace,
President Mark Husbands
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier global Christian liberal arts university. We are dedicated to equipping students to discover meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. Drawing upon the riches of the Christian tradition, seeking to unite faith and reason through teaching and scholarship, Trinity Western University is a degree-granting research institution offering liberal arts and sciences as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has four campuses and locations: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, and Ottawa. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.