Revised Common Lectionary Reflection for the Third Sunday of Easter, Year B
April 14, 2024
Key verse: Jesus told the disciples on the beach, “You are witnesses of these things.” –Luke 24:48
Recently while taking a walk I bumped into a man named Jonathan who, after some small talk, told me Jesus had cured him of alcoholism that had been leading him to destruction. “I gave my life to Jesus nine years ago, and things haven’t been the same since,” he said with a smile and a strong handshake.
Telling his story to a complete stranger, Jonathan witnessed about the power of Jesus to heal, reform, renew and transform our lives. As stewards of our very lives, we all ought to call upon and trust the power of Jesus to help us live the fullest and best lives as children of God.
A good sermon could point out transformations that we have witnessed in our faith communities, as well as the people whose lives and stories witness to the power of God.
Think about it: People like Jonathan are all around. You will certainly find them in the 12-step meetings that meet in church basements across the land, but also upstairs in the pews where folks worship every Sunday. Their stories are perhaps not as dramatic as someone being rescued from deadly substance abuse, but just as valid.
Perhaps it’s the woman or couple couple that had prayed for a child and then became pregnant. Or the isolated, depressed man who found community and healing in your fellowship. Or the guilt-shamed member who believed God could never forgive her but now knows she has been justified by grace through faith. And haven’t we all been there? After all, Lutherans confess every week that “we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves” (Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 95).
This week’s lections offer plenty of entry points to talk about how we can all be not only witnesses of the power of Jesus in the people around us, but also witnesses to that power. This week’s lections offer plenty of entry points for this sermon.
The passage from Acts opens (verse 12) as Peter talks to the crowd of unbelievers who have just witnessed a lame-from-birth beggar fully healed and “walking and leaping and praising God” (verse 9). (The healing itself was not included in the Lectionary passage, but adding some of the preceding verses would certainly help the lection be clearer.) Peter explains about who Jesus is and declares, “By faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you” (v. 16).
A preacher could talk about the transforming power of faith and invite listeners to think of healings and blessings, big and small, they have experienced or witnessed. And then, how could they be witnesses to the power of Jesus to others around them.
Similarly, Luke’s pericope for this week describes the disciples’ encounter with the risen Christ. Jesus empowers them, as witnesses of the risen Christ, to witness to the world about what they have seen and heard: That Christ is risen from the dead and therefore repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed everywhere (Luke 24:47).
The theme of repentance and forgiveness is clear in the 1 John passage as well, with an emphasis on what we are now as a result of the power of the risen Christ. As children of God, justified and forgiven through God’s love and mercy, we live in peace and hope for what will come. The “now and not yet” message presents a useful context in which to understand the power of Jesus working in our lives.
As disciples on our earthly pilgrimage, we witness and witness to what Jesus has done for us and our community now, as we live in hope and expectation for what lies ahead for God’s faithful people.
In Worship
Find someone like Jonathan, the man I bumped into, who has a powerful story to tell of Jesus’ saving. Invite that person to briefly share the experience with the congregation. Perhaps as an “offering” moment, during announcements, or before the sermon. And/or ask congregants to reflect on how Jesus has helped them to live better, healthier, more fulfilling lives. If time permits during your sermon, invite them to turn to their neighbor in the pews and share.
With youth
Teens and pre-teens are often trying to figure out what this life of faith is all about, and whether it’s worth prioritizing amid the more-alluring distractions offered in entertainment, by their school and athletics and social circles. Review Acts 3:1-16 and ask them what happened to the man born lame, and why. Discuss the power of faith in Jesus to heal, restore and renew us to have happier, healthier lives. Looking in particular at verse 16, invite them to reflect and share about the occasions they have seen people’s lives changed by faith. Invite them to reflect (but not necessarily share) how they would like Jesus to help them to change for the better.
With children
At a time with children, tell them about the appearance of the risen Jesus on the beach with his disciples. Ask them how they would react if Jesus came to them while they were outside playing. Listen to their responses. Explain that Jesus doesn’t come to us as a physical person anymore, but ask them where they think Jesus can be found today? Listen to answers but suggest that Jesus can be found in our hearts, the way we keep our parents and loved ones in our heart. End by invitignb them to sing the second verse of the song, “Down in my heart.” It goes:
I have the love of Jesus, love of Jesus,
Down in my heart, (where?)
Down in my heart, (where?)
Down in my heart!
I have the love of Jesus, love of Jesus,
Down in my heart, (where?)
Down in my heart to stay!
End with a prayer.
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