Lectionary For Sunday Easter 3
See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. 1 John 3:1
Reading. 1 John 3:1-7. This short passage describes the ongoing challenge in the Christian walk. There is great comfort in the opening verses, reminding us that we belong to a family. This is a special family namely it is God’s family. It reinforces the understanding that we are accepted by God and destined to be with God. There is both a present and a future hope within this destiny. Then, there is also the challenge of living a righteous life. No wonder Paul cries out in Romans 7:24, “Who will rescue me from this body of death?” John in our passage reminds us that God’s action towards us is determined by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus: Through this ministry we are included into the family as perfect children. That perfection may not be appreciated as yet but in the future what we are because of Gods’ work in us will be fully revealed. Remembering that we are already made perfect in God’s sight is one of the great mysteries of the Christian faith. However it is accepting this mystery that helps us live the life that God requires. We know and understand our propensity to fall short but as we remember what God through Jesus has done our longing to be obedient to God increases. Through the presence of the Holy Spirit we are born again and so we are given a new start. It is the Holy Spirit who helps and empowers us to live the Christian life. With the Holy Spirit’s urging and reminding, we are held in close relationship with Father God and from that relationship peace and love flow. The greater the peace and love, the easier it is to live in the way that God requires. Although each believer lives surrounded by the trials and temptations that this present world contains it is the Spirit that reminds us that no matter what happens nothing can separate us from the love of God and therefore because of Jesus our future with God is always assured. For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. 2 Co 5:14 NRSV.
Prayer. Holy Lord God; with every living thing we give you all praise and honour: with all we are we lift your name on high. We praise you for your faithfulness to your people through all generations. We thank you that by your grace Jesus Christ came for all to be both Lord and Saviour. We thank you for the victory that has been won for us by his total ministry on the cross. We thank you that by his everlasting love we have been united in one great family with You, the Lord of all creation. May we in all our ways acknowledge you the one true God whose love surrounds us even until eternity. Amen
Reading. Luke 24:36b-48. We are so used to the story of Jesus appearing to his disciples that we often fail to understand how terrifying it would have been to be suddenly standing alongside your friend: The very one who, only a few days previously you had seen die a horrible death. Like us they would not have been thinking that a return was likely, they would have been too consumed with grief to think in any sensible way. This passage follows on from the story of the walk to Emmaus and it is clear that the disciples are struggling to understand what is going on. Despite all those uncomfortable feelings here is Jesus standing with them in the locked upper room. Jesus’ message to them in the midst of all their grief and anguish is to “Be at peace” Though the disciples are still finding it hard to grasp what this all means, Jesus shares food with them and just as on previous occasions begin to teach them from the scriptures. Things had profoundly changed and yet Jesus was doing things which are so very normal. At the end of our passage is the command that the disciples are witnesses to the events that have just unfolded.
Luke is writing perhaps a whole generation or more after the resurrection by which time the events of Easter have been spoken about and thought about a great deal. Luke is adding his emphasis to this discussion. The first point that Luke notes is that Jesus came to assure them of his peace and presence. Luke also notes that the disciples took awhile to fully understand what had happened. The significance of Luke’s recollection is that Jesus is not only alive but is equipped with a body that can eat food and yet can also walk through a locked door. The resurrection of Jesus marks a new beginning, things have changed and will never be the same again. Then Luke reminds his readers that as they come to that point of belief that Jesus is alive, then they in turn are commanded to be witnesses to these world changing events.
Prayer. Lord we lift our hands and hearts to you in prayer. Lead us in our thinking and speaking. We thank you for the victories that Jesus won for us. We thank you that these were victories which have meaning in the events of every day. Through him our life and destiny has been changed. We pray for your church: that it may bear witness to the work of Jesus Christ your Son, revealing you to all humanity and reconciling all to you.
We pray that the gospel of Jesus may be known and believed by people across the world. May young and old, rich and poor, those of every race, nation and language realise what Jesus Christ has done for them. And because of Him, may we all recognise each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. Teach us to love each other as you have loved each of us. May we use your gifts of salvation and peace to your honour. Amen
Collect. O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of the bread: open the eyes of our faith that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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Crucified and risen Lord, you have fulfilled in your body the words of the prophets; you have brought the time of God’s reign to us, here and now. Graciously come to our side, and open the scriptures in our midst, for you are the Living One. Amen
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