April 24, 2025

Unbelievable Truth

Mary Charlotte Johnson | Read Revelation 1:4-8

(Image by: Pixabay)

Lectionary Week

April 21–27, 2025

Scripture Overview

Humans struggle to believe the truths that God reveals. In Acts the apostles face a domineering council that has ordered them to be quiet about Jesus, but they find they cannot. In Psalm 118 we wonder at the truth that God is our salvation, and in Psalm 150 we celebrate the greatness of God. In the book of Revelation we catch a glimpse of the surprise of finding Christ’s grace and peace. In John we find the apostles after the Resurrection struggling to believe this unbelievable truth without proof.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

:
• Read Acts 5:27-32. When have you seen the world differently from those in authority? How did it feel to share a truth that others did not believe?
• Read Psalm 150. Remember a time when you praised God fully, when you sang or played an instrument or danced before the Lord or served the Lord with gladness. How do you experience the presence of God in these praises?
• Read Revelation 1:4-8. Sit and soak up God’s unmerited favor and wholeness, Christ’s grace and peace. Imagine it enveloping your family, your friends, your enemies and those who have brought harm to your life.
• Read John 20:19-31. What questions are you struggling with? What would you like Jesus to show you? explain to you? reveal to you?

Respond by posting a prayer.

John shares with the seven churches of Asia and with us an unbelievable truth: Grace and peace are God’s gifts to us. When we behold God, grace and peace are not exactly what we are expecting to receive. We are expecting to experience divine punishment, some sort of retribution. We...

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God, thank you for the grace and peace Christ offers to us all—even to those who pierced him. We rest freed from all our sins. Amen.

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