Collect for Easter 4
Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life:
Raise us, who trust in him, from the death of sin to the life of righteousness,
that we may seek those things which are above, where he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Reflection
1 Peter 2:19-25
For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
How Deep is the Father’s Love For Us (Hymn 80)
Over these few weeks, we’re looking at Peter’s first letter, written in Rome towards the end of his life, and directed to the fast-growing number of followers of Christ (only later termed ‘Christians’). It is a letter of encouragement and takes the reader into a better understanding of what being a follower entails. In the letter, Peter talks firstly about the faith that shields us now and in the future; he goes on to talk about holiness and ‘reverent fear’ – an awareness of being in the presence of an awesome God.
And now he turns to suffering. There are those who are justly punished for the things they have done wrong; there are those whose punishment is undeserved and unjust. These latter refer directly to women and men who will be persecuted for their faith (of whom in Rome and other places in Asia Minor there would be thousands, and still are). Their tenacity is made possible by their faithful aspiration to do God’s will. But they are nonetheless imperfect and in need of forgiveness– human beings can never be without sin no matter how much good they do. They are His children, and in their deeds and words, like sheep they go astray.
Fortunately, God’s love is not restricted to those who do good. He sent His only Son to save sinners – whoever they may be, whatever they may have done wrong. He bears their sins without complaint despite rejection, insults, torture and crucifixion, and through His Cross offers the opportunity to start again with the slate wiped clean for those who repent and seek forgiveness. It’s Grace – never our deeds – that leads us home.
p.s. Last week’s Gospel was the story of the Disciples on the road to Emmaus, and wasn’t the basis for our meditation. However, as I was reminded, we missed the opportunity to include the following remarkable song – so here it is. Be blessed as you hear it.
Previous Posts
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These things are worth meditation and thought, as we enter this Holy Week – but the even more important question that we can only answer for ourselves, is embodied in twelve straightforward words written by Charles Wesley.
How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
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“Lazarus, come out.” He calls Lazarus by name. Even death cannot triumph, and so it is with sin. There is no depth or distance to which human being can go that can prevent them from hearing that call. It is up to them to choose to accept or deny it.
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Simeon, though, didn’t just hear about the Messiah being incarnate in the child – he also knew that the child’s destiny would involve pain and suffering in order to fulfil His mission. And Mary knew too. The consolation of Israel – of the world – would cost her the life of her child.
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And in turn, we are challenged to become messengers ourselves, however unsuitable or ill-equipped we might feel.
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If we are to appreciate the gentleness of a lamb, we need to know its opposite. If we are to understand what safety is, we need also to experience the possibility of danger.
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Perhaps, when we pray, we need to remember it is the Jesus on the Mountain to whom we address our prayers, the one whose face shines like the sun and transfigures our faces as we radiate in His light.
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Is Jesus suggesting, not to eat and drink? And is he saying we should not wear clothes but go naked?
How unrealistic is this, and how depressing – we need to eat and drink, and we need clothing.
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Christ’s words are given to all His people in the face of the difficulties we ourselves face in life. We claim them and are assured of Blessing. And that is all we need.