HUNDREDS of people attended a special service to hear the Archbishop of York's Easter message,

Dr John Sentamu read his Easter sermon in a service at York Minster yesterday, and told how he explained the love of God for all people to his four-year-old granddaughter, and also told of Jesus' sacrifice.

He said: "The death of Jesus Christ on a cross is a scandal! A paradox! A contradiction! It’s wonderful and horrific; beautiful and unsightly; awesome and terrible; magnificent and cruel; sacred and sacrilegious; hopeless...and the very source of hope itself.

"At the age of ten I too encountered the Crucified and Risen Jesus Christ. He became and is my obsession. He is the one I live for, glorifying him, trusting Him, rejoicing in Him, revelling in Him."

"The object of my boasting or glorying in the death of my Lord fills my horizons, engrosses my attention, and absorbs my time and energy. I am obsessed with Jesus Christ, his death on the Cross and his Resurrection."

"Jesus Christ captivates me and fills me with joy and thanksgiving."

"I have come to realise that the gospel of the Salvation of Jesus Christ isn’t about the human quest after God (religion) but rather about the figure of Christ taking shape in a multitude of people: like you and me."

"Two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ came to earth not to start a new religion but to offer every human being a communion in God. A participation in the life of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit".

Dr Sentamu told the congregation to "step out into Resurrection light and joy. Know the new life he gives. Accept the peace he offers. And go and share the love he gives", and to "rejoice and be glad. For we are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song".