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Up-to-the-minute jumping-off points for sermons, linking the reading to the latest news and global issues

Spoiler alert: Risen indeed!

God’s long-trailed plans are revealed in Christ, our living hope (John 20:19-31;
1 Peter 1:3-9).

Context

 

Ideas for sermons or interactive talks

Unless I see…

  • Curiosity is an incredibly strong human urge. We want to know Things we didn’t know before. The when, where, who, what and why. It’s how we learn and grow, form relationships, make progress. It’s why so many of us love to watch or read mysteries and thrillers, attend fan events for our special interests, or follow the latest scientific developments. It’s why journalism exists. And while it’s not always possible, we long to know and experience things for ourselves, first-hand, whenever we can. We want to be there in the room when the announcement is made; to watch the key scene before someone else tells us about it; to grasp whodunnit right as the detective does; to sit under the cherry tree as stray petals gently fall about us; to be pitch-side when the goal is scored. So, is it any wonder that Thomas, too, wanted to meet the risen Christ for himself, first-hand, before he would believe (John 20:24-25)?
  • We don’t always regard Thomas as a good example of faith, but are we always as eager to discover and meet with Jesus, or as quick to proclaim our belief once we have seen?

Spoilers or trailers?

  • Countries have always spied on each other and always will. They want to find out what’s going to happen next, so they can get ahead and prepare. Knowledge is power, jealously guarded to preserve advantage. Leaks like those recently exposed are at best embarrassing and at worst, dangerous. Thank goodness – thank God! – then, that this is not God’s way. Almighty yet gracious, our God sent us previews to announce the coming of the Messiah, like the prophecy in David’s Psalm (Psalm 16; Acts 2:25-32).
  • These previews weren’t spoilers but trailers to help us prepare to receive ‘an inheritance that is imperishable’ (1 Perter 1:4). This promise can’t be spoiled. Through Jesus’ life, God ‘attested’ further to that hope, ‘with deeds of power, wonders, and signs’ (Acts 2:22), many of them ‘written [in this book] 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 20:31).
  • Then, in Jesus’ death we see God give up power for our sake, with our reconciliation to God the victory prize, ‘a new birth into a living hope’ (1 Peter:3). We can’t be there in the room as Thomas finally grasps the truth but, as we read the denouement of this great locked-room mystery, we can ask God to unlock our hearts through his Spirit, so that we too can understand, and cry out with Thomas in response ‘My Lord and my God!’ (John 20:28).

Coming soon: Glorious joy!

  • What then, comes next, after the revelation? In all four of today’s readings, it’s joy. In Psalm 16 David takes refuge in God and is moved quickly from fear to delight: ‘Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure. … In your presence there is fullness of joy’ (Psalm 16:9,11). In Acts 2:22-32 Peter refers back to this. In John 20:29 Jesus talks of the joy of salvation: ‘Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’ And Peter writes in 1 Peter 1:3-9 to those who ‘believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy’, loving the Lord even though they have not seen him, ‘for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.’ You can feel the sense of joy and excitement overflowing from each of the passages.
  • In Japan the fleeting beauty of cherry blossom inspires people to gather together for hanami (flower-viewing) parties and picnics; while fans of the Star Wars movie franchise that began with ‘A New Hope’ in 1977 flocked to London at Easter to cheer trailers and get up close to props and performers. How much more then should we celebrate and share the news of the ‘living hope’ we have through our faith, ‘more precious than gold’? (1 Peter 1:3,7)

 

Questions for discussion

  • Movie trailers and tag lines, unlike spoilers, try to get people excited about an upcoming film without giving all of the story away. What would you put in a trailer for the Gospel, or use as a tag line on a poster, to encourage others to find out more for themselves? Or can you think of some famous tag lines you might want to rephrase or repurpose? (‘Who you gonna call?’ the Ghostbusters or Jesus? ‘We are not alone’: more reassuring if we’re meeting Jesus, rather than having Close Encounters of the Third Kind?)
  • When people discover something new about something they love they often want to share it with others, messaging friends, posting on social media, telling everyone they meet. Are we as enthusiastic about sharing our faith as we are about our other interests? If not, what holds us back?
  • It isn’t easy to believe without seeing. What helps you, or would help you, to see and recognise that Jesus is alive today?

Rebecca Froley has been involved with ROOTS since its launch and worships at a local Baptist church where she currently helps with a young people’s Bible study group. She works in online publishing, lives in the cherry-blossom-filled London Borough of Sutton, and will be watching all of the new Star Wars movies.

 

Check-in

Connecting faith with everyday, real-life issues for young people

As the King’s Coronation approaches, we read in the news of well-deserved invitees. Sahil Usman was diagnosed with leukaemia at 13 and, despite ongoing harsh treatment, he visited schools with a presentation to help pupils understand the disease and know how to support people with cancer. His inspiration came from meeting a younger cancer sufferer who had been bullied by children who falsely believed that it was infectious. During the pandemic Sahil was still battling his cancer aged 15, which made him extremely vulnerable to the dangers of Covid. However, his compassion for elderly people living alone was greater than his fear. Together with his Mum, Sahil made and delivered hundreds of hampers to the isolated elderly.

The disciples in the passage today knew personal fear, locking themselves in a room following the crucifixion of their friend. But when the risen Jesus appears with them, Jesus speaks peace into their fear. And he sends them out. We all feel fear in particular circumstances, but Jesus can give us his peace by his Holy Spirit. This gift of peace can still our fears.

What’s the one thing you feel most anxious or fearful about? It can help to share that with someone you trust. And pray that you may experience the peace of Jesus in that situation.

Research in recent years has demonstrated that deliberate acts of kindness and attending to the needs of others, significantly reduces anxiety and depression. As Jesus sent his disciples out, we can choose to be kingdom builders, depending on Jesus for the strength to help others around us.

Who do you know that especially needs a friend or helping hand this week? Pray that you can help them in the best way.

Dr. Angela Mak is a Licensed Lay Minister in the Ecumenical Partnership of West Swindon and Lydiard Tregoze. She is also a school’s worker, and retired biology teacher.

 

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