Good Morning Friends,
This year I am praying to believe a little more in myself and the called-out assembly of God. I am praying for the power found in the perfect peace of personal progress with the Paraclete. And the problem I am experiencing, and perhaps you are too, is that the ways I achieved some degree of peace in the past through collective worship have been derailed. But maybe it wasn’t me anyway and just God’s grace all along. Regardless, for me, the concepts of church and even the liturgical year, seem to have been torn like the curtain of the Holy of Holies. It seems like this year Lent never ended and the ways we loved on each other have changed and need a new concord. And though I am not wanting for anything physically, I do seek some kind of closure. For I still am waiting with a spiritual hunger not satisfied, in part because of my own inaction and in part because I am seeking God’s revelation in what is happening in the world before I do. But honestly a resolution is not what Christians are to expect out of Resurrection Sunday, even a virtual one, for the experience is not to be limited to one day but a season moving toward the birth of something new and for us all. For we are part of a phased plan of restarting and perhaps creating a new way, or perhaps recreating an old way of worship with new grace.
So, I am a bit trapped in the moment for I know God is doing something and that I can be part of it. But I think I need to reach a mental state that accommodates my lack of understanding in what God is actually doing. I am seeking my place, but I am finding it hard to be resolute without hard facts to base decisions. When Jesus came to the disciples after the crucifixion and resurrection, they must have had similar feelings. So, Do You Believe In The Personal Peace And Prosperity Of Pentecost For The Populist?
Scripture: When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
John 20: 19-31(NRSV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:3-9 (NRSV)
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Acts 2:42-47 (NRSV)
Message: Today as it looks like we are reaching a peak in the cases in the Covid-19 Pandemic, on this what is often called a low Sunday, we look at a major theme of the Bible…that Jesus is God and that absolutely nothing will be accomplished without His powerful presence. Friends, in the face of challenge and testing, this is a key to great life. There is a deep message here that is more than the resurrected Jesus appearing to His disciples. For here in this dynamic we discover the happy fellowship of those who follow the way. We feel it in our hearts, and it shines in our memories. And the important take away here is that the disciples, and even us today, are empowered to witness to others that forgiveness is indeed attainable…that doubt, and fear and anxiety is natural but can be overcome. For here when Jesus is in our midst doubt, fear and anxiety flee. In the presence of the power of Christ our purpose becomes clear. And so too, we are to give in to the joy of this day…we are to embrace the surprise of Shalom…. that when Christ is with us, we can be whole even from afar. We can be at peace with our past, present and future. Here when Jesus is saying “peace be with you,” He is giving us the Holy Hope we so desperately need in our continuing journey with the living Christ. By sharing this, and breathing into us the divine Spirit, Jesus is marking our lives with a purpose, meaning and direction. So, let us continue preparing during the journey from Eastertide to Pentecost. And of course, we struggle, the disciples struggled as well. They had been given training, authority and experience but doubt crept into their faith too. Regardless, let us rejoice in all of the surprises of grace… beyond an empty tomb, and a doubter’s fears and unbelief changed to a rebirth. Let us rejoice for our Savior has announced that His Peace will be with us.
And So, maybe unbelief cannot be victorious over evil and maybe unbelief cannot please God. But there is this thing of grace that births in us peace. And that is why Jesus the King comes to confront us in our unbelief and in His presence and testing we can become stronger and can rediscover the power of faith. It is only when it is beyond our abilities that we can measure our faith. It is only in the anguish we are brought to our knees in prayer and then raised up with Jesus. It is only when we become aware of our spiritual shortcomings… only when we honestly struggle with powerlessness that faith can grow. And it is in the grace of God in these moments that we are reborn. Trials, difficulties and defeat do not define the relationship, only God’s loving grace. Rejoice therefor because Jesus comes to those who are honest about their doubts and helps us face them so we might grow deeper. Press on to higher ground and experience God through greater faith in the power of grace. See and believe so that we might together, wherever we are, be victorious as Jesus empowers us to extend the Spirit of Forgiveness and Peace to others on a supernatural level. Friends, we are to share in the work of grace, and it is here in the middle of God’s mercy that Jesus brings new life. Restoration is occurring in us right now, so pay attention. Read through the Gospels if you doubt. Repeatedly in the Gospels we find that the one condition necessary to have eternal life is to believe in Jesus Christ. Religion is man trying to bring himself to God by human effort, by good works. Salvation is Christ bringing us to God based on what He did for us on the cross. Maybe we need to give up the thought that we can earn our salvation.
Pray we not just keep a focus on the letter of the law regarding our dealings with each other but abide by the spirit of the law of love in our relationship with God as well. Pray we recognize the divine authority of Christ. Pray we realize that inheriting eternal life is about becoming a child of God, dependent on God. Pray that our deepest desire is that Jesus will be in our midst…. the middle of our lives. Pray we realize that it is Jesus that makes us peaceful…surpassing everything we can expect. Pray that Jesus makes us joyful…rejoicing in the victory on the cross. Pray that Jesus makes us useful… witnessing to others the good news in our lives. Pray that Jesus makes us powerful…creating in us the very breath of our existence. Pray we never forget the message of peace. Pray we share with one another the healing and wholeness that God has shared with us through Jesus Christ His Son.
Pray that in the scars of life we discover peace. Pray that in the scars of life we discover a growing faith. Pray that in the scars of life we discover healing. Pray that in the scars of life we discover honor. Pray that in the scars of life we discover love. Pray therefor that God form us into a new community that blesses others with a peace shared. Pray God restores and reaffirms our shared vocation and role in God’s work and mission. Pray God guides us to participate in proclaiming and witnessing the divine healing of a forgiveness that frees and liberates us for a prosperity to be found in the Spirit of a purposeful peace.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 