April 12, 2023

This Jesus God Raised Up

Katherine Willis Pershey | Read John 20:19-23

(Image by: Pixabay)

Lectionary Week

April 10–16, 2023

Scripture Overview

Psalm 16 and Acts 2 fit together, since the latter quotes the former. Both celebrate God’s presence in human life and the powerful expression of that presence. In his Pentecost sermon Peter sees a messianic application of the psalm to the resurrection of Jesus. First Peter affirms that resurrection creates community, stressing the faith and love of Christians that arise without the experience of physical contact with Jesus. For later generations, belief and commitment are born out of the witness of others.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Acts 2:14a, 22-32. How should the reader (or preacher) acknowledge Peter’s troubling language of blame toward the Israelites without losing the point of the passage?
Read Psalm 16. In what way does God provide protection and refuge for you?
Read John 20:19-31. What does it mean for Jesus to bless “those who have not seen and yet have come to believe?”
Read 1 Peter 1:3-9. How do Peter’s words speak to Chris- tians who do not live with the threat of persecution?

Respond by posting a prayer.

The disciples cower behind locked doors, frightened and, I imagine, ashamed. They have failed their prophet, their teacher, their leader, their friend. If the tomb truly is empty and Jesus is walking the streets of Jerusalem again, are they ready to face him? Cowards in the hour of Jesus’ death,...

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Lord Jesus Christ, break into our hearts. Grant us the peace that delivers us from fear and the forgiveness that releases us from shame. Amen.

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