Welcome to Weobley & Staunton Joint Benefice

Our Easter lectionary readings include passages from the book of Acts. It’s worth considering the way in which the disciples are presented.

In the reading set for the 4th Sunday of Easter (Acts 4: 5-12), Peter and John are arrested by the temple authorities in Jerusalem for speaking to a crowd after they heal a lame man near one of the temple gates. What was it that so annoyed the authorities? It was not the healing itself, but the insistence of the disciples that the man’s healing had come through the power of the risen Christ.

Once arrested, Peter and John are not cowed into submission by their captors. Rather, they take the opportunity to speak up boldly for their faith and its working: ‘if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man was healed, let it be known to all of you…that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God has raised from the dead.’  

When we read the book of Acts, we see the power of the resurrection lived out in the actions and words of the disciples. They appear transformed, in terms of their vision, their courage and their faith. Perhaps this is not so much a case of what they know, but the Lord and master they have come to know, who now emboldens them to find a way forward, even in the midst of misunderstanding and opposition. May we also find courage in, and be encouraged by, the same risen Lord.

Rev’d Philip

We all know the Easter story so well, it's tempting to think all was balloons and bunting from the 'get go' of the first Easter morning. The Gospels show us otherwise! Jesus' friends had watched the drama of Good Friday unfold with horror. Now they were both grief stricken and (the men, at least) in hiding, fearful of arrest. They were sure their much loved leader and friend had died and that it was all over. 

On the Sunday morning, some of the women had gone to the tomb where Jesus' body had been buried so hastily - but found it empty. The Gospel writers have slightly differing accounts of what happened next, but it seems those women encountered strangers, messengers (angels, literally) at the tomb who told them Jesus was not there - in fact that he was alive, risen from death. Unsurprisingly, they were not sure what to make of this! In Mark's Gospel they run away frightened. In Luke, they go back to the men who (shamefully!) dismiss their report as nonsense!

Many would be lucky enough to meet the risen Jesus over the next few weeks, although they might not easily recognise him at first. Others would hear of the resurrection but not believe until they saw Jesus with their own eyes. Others still would see and believe but not quite   understand. In those early, crazy moments after Easter, there was simply too much to take in — even though Jesus had sought to prepare them by his teaching. It took the disciples days, weeks, maybe months to begin to get to grips with what it all meant! The Gospel writers had years to think it all through before they gave us their accounts. 

Over the next several Sundays we spend time in our Sunday Services listening to the different   experiences of Jesus' friends all those years ago. We too take time to ponder what the Resurrection means for us as we work our way through to the mystery of The Ascension and then the wonder of Pentecost Sunday. 

If you'd like to read this for yourselves, look at the final chapters of each of the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) in the New Testament. 

Wishing you all a joyful Easter!

Rural Dean Mike Kneen