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A printable version of Fire, Faith, Fruits (pdf)

FIRE FAITH FRUITS
John 20:19-31 Acts 10:32-35 1 John 1:1-2:2
By Richard Hogue

They were hiding out in the upper room all curled up in a ball of fear - every one struggling with their own demons, every one in turn checking the lock on the door.

Why were they so afraid? Had they heard rumors of the authorities coming after them? Were they imagining themselves hanging in agony on a cross? They needed sanctuary, so they huddled behind closed doors.

Those doors were no barrier to Jesus, of course. No lock could keep him from claiming his own.

Previously, he had promised them 'I will not leave you desolate. I will come to you.' (John 14:18)

Jesus is a promise keeper. He comes and stands among them and blesses them: 'Peace be with you. Shalom ... I confer upon you the perfect wholeness and a joy that no one can take from you.'

Then he shows them his hands and side. His crucifixion scars are the identifying marks that enable them to know and to trust him. The signs of that which they feared the most - the violent brutality of the authorities - have become now for them and for us the identifying marks of his victory over sin and death. God has transformed the wounds Jesus bore into the emblems of his triumph.

Then Jesus commissions them, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to go out and to begin their own ministries of forgiveness and healing. 'As the Father sent me, so I send you.'

Jesus? blessing always includes a commission. He gives them peace and joy to enable them to set aside their fears and to fling open the doors and to emerge from their hiding place into the mission field of forgiveness. Those who have looked at Jesus? hands and side understand the magnitude of God?s forgiving love and are fully equipped to offer God?s forgiveness to others.

At age 30, Florence Nightingale made this entry into her diary: 'I am now 30 years of age, the age at which Christ began his mission. Now, no more childish things, no more vain things. Now, Lord, let me think only of Thy will.'

Someone asked her years later at the end of her illustrious career of service, 'What is the secret of your good life?'

She replied, 'I can offer only one explanation and it is this, I have held nothing back from God.'

Easter blows wide open the doors of our hearts and thrusts us unreservedly out into the world as stewards and bearers of forgiveness. Into our fear-filled, locked-door places, the risen Lord comes - to bless and commission us.

May we experience always the unshakable peace and irrepressible joy of living as his forgiven and spirit-filled agents. Shalom.

The Rev. Richard Hogue is pastor of Liberty Grove UMC in Burtonsville.

A DEVOTIONAL
for the Discipleship Adventure
By Vivian McCarthy

Celebrate: Learn a new hymn of joy! 'O, Look and Wonder' is the Psalm text for this week and this lovely, sprightly melody expresses the joy of being part of the Easter community. You can find the text and tune in The Faith We Sing, #2231.

Connect: Richard Hogue reminds us that Jesus has made us partners in the ministry of forgiveness and reconciliation and that our lives are full when we 'hold nothing back from God.' Identify a relationship in your life that is in need of mending. Spend time in prayer each day, asking God to help you find a way to forgive the person if necessary or engage in an act that will heal your relationship - until you have the confidence that you know how to approach the other person. Then, reach out and see what happens. (You might also ask a trusted friend to pray for you as you take these steps. It always helps to have support when you do something that is a challenge.)

Develop: The Acts lesson for this week also focuses on how the community of the first century church sought peace and wholeness. What would it be like if your faith community truly lived in one accord? What would it take to share everything? Where could your faith community begin a deeper sharing?

Serve: Take a step into the 'mission field of forgiveness.' This week take a food offering of some kind (a casserole or food pantry items) to a shelter or other feeding program and include a Scripture passage pamphlet from the Maryland Bible Society that focuses on how much God loves the recipient.

Share: Ask your small group or Sunday School class leader if you may have a moment to share how you felt when you reached out to heal your relationship. Share with your class how God gbwc_superusered you in taking these steps.