Welcome to Christ Church, Jebel Ali: Learning to Follow Jesus Together

These readings invite us to look to the Cross and discover there not defeat, but the surprising shape of God’s love, power and salvation.

Isaiah 45:21–25: God calls people from the ends of the earth to turn and be saved. Salvation is not reserved for one nation or group; the invitation reaches outward to all. God alone is God, and ultimately all creation will acknowledge him.

Psalm 98: The whole earth is invited to sing a new song because God has made salvation known. God’s faithfulness is not hidden or private—it is revealed before the nations, and all creation joins in praise.

Philippians 2:5–11: Paul describes the downward journey of Christ: although possessing divine glory, Jesus does not grasp at privilege but empties himself, becomes a servant and humbles himself even to death on a cross. The Cross reveals the character of God and becomes the pattern for Christian discipleship: “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.”

John 12:31–36a: As Jesus approaches his death, he speaks of being “lifted up” and drawing all people to himself. What appears to be humiliation and defeat becomes the place where God’s love is revealed and the power of evil is judged. Jesus calls his disciples to walk in the light while the light is among them.

Together, the readings ask a question that has been running through our journey in recent weeks: What kind of people is God forming us to become? The Cross is not simply something we believe happened to Jesus. It reveals the life into which Jesus calls us—a life shaped by humility, service, self-giving love and trust in God.

The Cross draws us to Christ—and then teaches us how to follow him.