16 April 2023 - Second Sunday of Easter

 

Theme

This week’s readings focus on the resurrection of Jesus and what the Resurrection means for those who claim to be his followers. In Acts, Peter explains how Jesus’ miracles and resurrection were a sign of his Messiahship. 1 Peter explains how Christians are born again through the resurrection of Christ, which comes with a promise of an eternal inheritance and a call to holy living. In John’s gospel, Jesus visits the disciples in the Upper Room and offers them peace, joy and the Holy Spirit.

Scripture Readings

  • Acts 2:14a, 22-32 - Peter addresses the crowds in Jerusalem. He describes how God endorsed Jesus through miracles and how his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed and crucified. However, God raised Jesus from the dead and fulfilled the prophecy that the Messiah would be resurrected. The passage also emphasizes that King David was not referring to himself in his prophecy, but rather to the Messiah.
  • Psalm 16 - This Psalm speaks of finding refuge in God, and the blessings and inheritance that come from Him. The Psalmist expresses joy and confidence in God's presence, and trusts in His guidance for the way of life.
  • 1 Peter 1:3-9 - Peter discusses the Christian belief in being born again through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It also emphasizes the importance of enduring trials to strengthen one's faith, and the reward of salvation and eternal inheritance for those who trust in Jesus Christ. Peter explains how born again Christians are called to be holy, just as God is holy.
  • John 20:19-31 - This document describes an encounter between Jesus and his disciples in the upper room after his resurrection. Jesus shows them his wounds and breathes the Holy Spirit onto them, and later appears to Thomas to prove his resurrection. Jesus performed many other miracles, but the ones recorded are so that people may believe that Jesus is the Messiah.

The Context

The Lectionary Readings during Eastertide focus on the resurrection on Jesus. Some of them include stories of the resurrected Jesus meeting with people such as this week’s reading from John. Others focus on the meaning of Jesus’ resurrection for modern day Christians, like this week’s readings from Acts and 1 Peter.

Personal Application

This week’s readings explain that those who choose to follow Jesus and have experienced the Good News of the resurrection are called to holy and righteous living.

Being holy does not mean that we live perfect lives. Holiness means being set apart. When we are born again, we are called to be set apart from the world. We become ambassadors of God’s kingdom in a world that lives contrary to it in many ways. John Wesley spoke about holiness as an ongoing journey towards Christian Perfection - being sanctified by the Holy Spirit in our walk with God.

Some examples of holy living for Christians include living a life of obedience to God's commands, practicing humility and forgiveness, serving others in love, and sharing the good news of the Gospel with others.

What is your understanding of holiness? How are you committed to becoming more and more holy in your walk of faith?

Communal Application

The resurrection of Jesus is Good News for Jesus’ followers in the world today. It does not mean that God’s people will never face struggles. 1 Peter explains how we will share in Christ’s suffering. However, in the midst of our suffering, we can still experience joy and hope because of Jesus’ resurrection.

Because of Jesus’ resurrection, we have access to God always in the person of the Holy Spirit. We also have the hope of an eternal inheritance with Christ.

Churches and faith communities have the sacred and challenging task of holding these tensions together. We cannot promise people a life without suffering. Rather, Christ comforts and empathizes with us in our struggles, as he himself experienced great suffering in his journey to the cross. And even in the midst of suffering, we have the opportunity to create and nurture resurrection communities of hope, joy, peace and love.

Are our churches living as alternate, resurrection communities in a world that is full of death, sin and evil? How can our churches become spaces that are rich with ressurection promise and hope?

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