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Friends, one of my Bible Tutors at the Methodist Minister’s training college often said about the Gospel of John, ….it gives us space to be part of the story. Often, it provides us with many vantage points to either be an observer to watch the miracles or hear what is being said, or to embrace a central character’s role and engage with Jesus directly.
I wonder if this has helped you during Lent in a time of self-reflection, identifying things in your life that the Holy Spirit wants to take from you, as you prepare for Easter?
And now as we journey through Holy Week and the following weeks, where will you be in this familiar narrative, where will you meet with the Jesus?
“In the Eye of the Storm”, Max Lucado writes, “is the place of peace”.
The Easter story may feel like a storm is raging all around. Of arrests, and accusations, and trials, and crowds, and jeers, and crucifixion, and death, and then a numbing silence.
Throughout this, in the eye of the storm, in a place of peace, Jesus meets people.
The first to speak with the risen Jesus, a grieving Mary, hears her name.
To fearful disciples, behind locked doors, Jesus brings peace.
To Thomas who has questions, Jesus brings answers.
To Peter who disowned him, Jesus brings forgiveness.
And to those who were in the background, onlookers who were not named, they see the risen Jesus!
And so, wherever you find yourself through this Holy Week and onwards, I hope you meet with Jesus in the scripture and in your life.
I finish with words from the prophet Micah for us to reflect on:
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,
I wait for God my Saviour;
my God will hear me…..
Though I sit in darkness,
the Lord will be my light …
He will bring me out into the light;
I will see his righteousness.
Micah 7:7-9 (NIVUK)
Every blessing,
Jimmy
I wonder if this has helped you during Lent in a time of self-reflection, identifying things in your life that the Holy Spirit wants to take from you, as you prepare for Easter?
And now as we journey through Holy Week and the following weeks, where will you be in this familiar narrative, where will you meet with the Jesus?
“In the Eye of the Storm”, Max Lucado writes, “is the place of peace”.
The Easter story may feel like a storm is raging all around. Of arrests, and accusations, and trials, and crowds, and jeers, and crucifixion, and death, and then a numbing silence.
Throughout this, in the eye of the storm, in a place of peace, Jesus meets people.
The first to speak with the risen Jesus, a grieving Mary, hears her name.
To fearful disciples, behind locked doors, Jesus brings peace.
To Thomas who has questions, Jesus brings answers.
To Peter who disowned him, Jesus brings forgiveness.
And to those who were in the background, onlookers who were not named, they see the risen Jesus!
And so, wherever you find yourself through this Holy Week and onwards, I hope you meet with Jesus in the scripture and in your life.
I finish with words from the prophet Micah for us to reflect on:
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,
I wait for God my Saviour;
my God will hear me…..
Though I sit in darkness,
the Lord will be my light …
He will bring me out into the light;
I will see his righteousness.
Micah 7:7-9 (NIVUK)
Every blessing,
Jimmy
