Lectionary for Easter 6

Lectionary for Easter 6

In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your   defence to anyone who challenges you to account for the hope that is in you. 1 Peter 3:15

Collect. God our Father, you have redeemed us in Jesus your Son, and given to your Church the Holy Spirit, the Counsellor, to dwell with us for ever. Strengthen us by your Spirit of truth, that we may show our love for Christ by keeping his commandments, and by always being ready to give an account of the hope that is in us. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Reading. 1 Peter 3:13-22. The letter of Peter was probably written in Rome and some scholars suggest that the letter was present in the church some time after the death of James the brother of Jesus. This death seems to have caused a dispersion of believers during the reigns of Emperors Nero and Domitian and during this time persecution of the believers occurred. It is perhaps why a significant theme in this letter from Peter is that of suffering. No one by nature looks to experience suffering but Peter is recording that suffering is a real and present danger for believers at this time. The writer does not give an explanation or even a justification for suffering it is simply stated that Jesus suffered and so do believers. However as we see in this short passage despite suffering, believers at all times should choose to be virtuous and so honour the name of Jesus who did not kick against suffering but bore it with grace. Jesus’ forbearance not only fulfilled scripture (Isaiah 53:7) but it also signified his trust in God and so honoured God. In all his suffering Jesus demonstrated his reliance on God which enabled him to endure. Peter is urging all believers to emulate the action and attitude that Jesus showed by always being ready to do those things which are good. He is urging believers to accept suffering even when one is suffering for doing what is right. This acceptance will develop ones character and emphasise that our hope is not in self defence but in the lordship of Jesus. Furthermore, growing in this hope will provide an opportunity to witness our faith in Jesus Christ more effectively. The whole tone of this passage is that a believer should live out their lives in a gentle way, always ready to trust that God will provide all that is needed.

This passage is quite at odds with the expectations of modern society. Today we almost see it as our right not to suffer and see suffering as a bad thing. Yet the fact remains that suffering is a normal part of life. All of us will experience loss, failure and disappointments both slight and deep. How we respond to these events in life will reveal our character and the depth of our trust in God. Hebrews 13:5f reminds us, “Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?” (NRSV).  It is easy to say, “I trust God with all my heart” when things are going well but it takes character to truly believe those words when things are going badly. Peter recognizes that life will present us with bad times and for the sake of the faith, and for our own peace of mind, he wants us to develop character and so be ready!

Prayer. Holy Lord help us to remember that Jesus was often surrounded by experiences of suffering and constantly drew his strength from you. Help us to similarly rely on you to give us the strength to endure in all circumstances. We thank and praise you that Jesus has faced all the things in life that would hold us away from you. Grant that by your grace we may trust fully in your providential care for each moment of our lives. When a time of suffering comes may we have the courage to face it firm in our faith, always trusting in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; in whose name we pray. Amen

Reading. John 14:15-21. As is usual in this short passage John touches on many points. Here, Jesus as he comes to the completion of his ministry through his death on the cross, is transferring the task of ministry to the disciples. Thus the major emphasis in this passage is on faith. Ephesians reminds us that faith is a gift from God. (Ephesians 2:8). It is faith that guides us to believe in Jesus Christ and recognise what he has done on our behalf. This in turn leads us to love him and his work. It is love which moves us to keep the commandments of Jesus. We might think that because the disciples saw Jesus both before and after the crucifixion that love and belief for them would be much simpler: yet we need to understand that accepting the resurrection was just as challenging for them as it is for us. Only faith recognises that resurrection is God’s action and has accomplished so much more than bringing back to life someone who had died, wonderful though that is!

It is love that keeps each believer living in God’s way not in the world’s way, trusting in what Jesus has done. Keeping the commandments of Jesus is different from keeping the Law. It was keeping the Law which related you to God but it is first knowing and loving Jesus that keeps you obedient to the commandments of Jesus.

As we love and obey, Jesus has ask that we continue to receive the help of the Holy Spirit. We need the presence of the Holy Spirit in order to belong to Jesus. (Romans 8:9). Furthermore it is the Spirit who keeps us informed about the true message of Jesus as we live out our lives. It is the power of the Spirit which allows us to love and forgive those around us in the way that Jesus would want. John further reminds us that we live in a world where there will be those who know nothing of the Spirit’s existence so we should not be surprised when some are hard and unloving.

It is this unspiritual way of life that we see all around us at times that makes the promise of Jesus’ presence to be with us such a comfort. Knowing his presence gives us confidence in the future for it reminds us that God’s plans through Jesus will succeed. Additionally this encourages us to look forward to a time when like the first disciples we too will see the risen Christ in all his glory. Now when we see the state of the world we can only pray come soon Lord Jesus and yet if we reflect on our passage for this week from Peter we are reminded that sometimes simply enduring when times are tough is the best witness that we can give.

Prayer. Lord Jesus you are the author and the giver of peace for by your death on the cross and your victory all things have been reconciled back to God. Forgive us when we believe that things are getting worse, rather than trusting in your ongoing work against evil. Through your sacrifice we know that change is not only possible but necessary. So Lord we ask that you re-direct our lives, transforming us with the power that lies with God alone. Grant us your peace and grant peace to all those who struggle with their daily existence. By your Holy Spirit protect your people and bring about that harmony of purpose that always seeks to honour you and you alone. Let our hearts be as one as we pray, may our minds be focussed on gaining new understandings from your word, and may our lives be so changed by your radiant presence that life itself will for us be an even greater blessing. In all we do may your name be glorified, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Collect. Ever living God, in you we live and move, in you we have our being; may your Spirit of truth open to us the mind of Christ, that we love one another as he loved us, in whose name we pray. Amen.