God's encouragement

Since the story of the resurrection has been known it has been an encouragement for those who are experiencing suffering, whatever its cause. There are several places in the gospels which seem to indicate that Jesus knew that he would rise again after three days. Why then was he so distressed at this time? After all, it would soon be all over! If we believe that Jesus was truly human he could not have had this knowledge and scholars believe these passages were written with the benefit of hindsight.

It can be encouraging for people to read of the experiences of how others coped with adversity two and a half thousand years ago and how Jesus did two thousand years ago, but it is also encouraging to hear stories since then and in particular, in our time. Feelings associated with difficult times are similar today to those experienced by the Psalmist, by Isaiah and by Jesus. It is good to know God is with us in these experiences now.

We may speak of the encouragement we have received through experiences of God’s action in the lives of others. These people may be seen as special, not ordinary folk like us. We are often reluctant to tell of the encouragement we have received through the experience of God’s love in our own lives even though we know it will help others because we fear being ridiculed as Isaiah was. God still wakens our ears to listen, to be strengthened, to have the words to encourage and sustain the weary. God answers our desperate prayers with encouraging reassurances that all we will need for this day will be provided.

Rev Julianne Parker 

(for full sermon see sermons page)

Passion Sunday - ready for resurrection life!

Uniquely in our Lectionary, we have such a choice for this Sunday. We can celebrate this day as either Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday. We may prefer Palm Sunday because it is a happy day. Passion Sunday calls us to confront the pain and suffering of the Crucifixion and in the world.

We are not called to the pursuit of happiness in following Christ.  Joy is a Fruit of the Holy Spirit living in us. In the Good News Bible, an American interpretation, maybe influenced by their constitution, the word that is “blessed” for us is translated as happiness. But “blessed” and “happy” are not synonymous. We can still feel blessed even when we may be suffering. Suffering is part of the human condition. Some suffering comes in following God’s Way. It is usually a result of God’s Way colliding with powerful forces such as self-interest, greed and control. This is the type of suffering Jesus endured.

Some believe we should suffer as penance for our sins. Another form of suffering comes because choosing to do wrong robs us of life. There is pain in guilt and shame. Much suffering is the result of others doing wrong; in seeking power and wealth and failing to care or share, we hurt others. Much suffering is inexplicable and it is painful to live with this. Some comes from so called “acts of God”. We may try to avoid suffering by avoiding the suffering of others and pretending to ourselves it can’t be as bad as people say.

It can be a relief for those suffering to know that others have felt as they are feeling and that it is okay to cry out to God. In the reading from Isaiah 50, the writer has been disgraced, intimidated, bullied and insulted, but is still able to praise God because God helps and strengthens him. The Psalm [31] contains an incredible list. The psalmist laments that his eye, soul, bones and body have wasted away and strength failed because of his misery.  

God doesn't tell us very often to stop complaining. Nor does God tell us to pull our socks up when we are in pain. God is far more likely to invite us to rest and to be gentle with ourselves as God is gentle with us, or to offer us strength to persevere. Suffering shared with God is suffering halved. Let us be honest about agony; that of God, that of others and also that of ourselves. Then we too, can heal and help and ease burdens ready for resurrection life!

Rev Julianne Parker