Collect for Easter 2
1 Peter 1: 3-9
John 20: 19-31
You’ll have heard people tell you that they’ve ‘earned’ trust. Trust in you, trust in their leaders, trust in Jesus.
But that’s not how it works. In reality, trust can never be ‘earned’. I cannot insist that you should trust me, that I deserve your trust. We can’t tell people that they must trust Jesus, because He ‘earned’ their trust through His suffering and His cross. There’s no point in persuading them that they should – because even though they might say so, deep down, they probably won’t.
Trust is not ‘earned’. It can only be ‘awarded’. Doesn’t matter how much you think you should be trusted by someone – it’s entirely their choice, probably based on their perception, evidence and understanding, not of your words, but you behaviour and actions. You could say that ‘proof’, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.
That’s Thomas in a nutshell. He’s heard the others describe what they saw – but rather than making a superficial commitment because they say so, he wants proof. When he receives it, he awards Jesus his future, whatever that may be.
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.’
Those who have not seen? Physically seen, like Thomas? No. But they have seen in a different way. It might be in the jaw-dropping beauty of creation. It may be that they have seen the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, in the behaviours and actions of Christians they know personally, or those through the ages who have lived as Jesus body on Earth. Perhaps they’ve observed sacrificial love in action; commitment to truth and justice despite suffering and persecution. Faith opens their eyes, they ‘see’, and they believe.
However it may happen, when we see Him, we proclaim Him in the same words as Thomas – ‘My Lord and my God’ – and award Him our trust. Forever.
Previous Posts
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You may remember the song: ‘It ain’t what you do it’s the way that you do it, that’s what gets results.’ Catchy tune, catchy title. But wrong. Actually, it’s the other way round – ‘It ain’t the way that you do it, it’s what you do…’
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By the power of the same Spirit strengthen us to witness to your truth and to draw everyone to the fire of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Praying Together 12th May 2024
But in Christ, a much more reliable ‘Truth’ can be found. Truth in the ‘Logos’ – the Word. The Word made flesh.
Praying Together 5th May 2024
Collect for Easter 6 God our redeemer, you have delivered us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of your Son: Grant, that as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his continual presence in us he may raise us to eternal joy; through...
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‘If you love God, then you love your brothers and sisters’. You cannot have one without the other. If you do not love your brother and your sister, you cannot claim that you love God. No exclusions.
Praying Together 21st April 2024
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Praying Together 14th April 2024
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Praying Together 7th April 2024
We are challenged to decide what we need to ‘see’ to believe – and then to seek it in the power of the Holy Spirit.
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Praying Together 24th March 2024
But Jesus is aware of what He will have to endure in order to fulfil His mission of salvation – and He sets the necessary elements in motion.
Praying Together 17th March 2024
The Anglican Church of Ireland has produced an excellent example of the way in which St Patrick’s life embodies the Five marks of Mission – a real cause for celebration and a model for us to follow (And by the way, St. Patrick’s flag colour is blue, not green.)