Pictures from around the world show us what is happening.
But experiencing it is another matter.
I have never been to the Glastonbury music festival, but I know people who have. Their excitement at what they have experienced is quite startling.
Watching protesters in Egypt, Brazil, and Turkey reveals a passion in their lives that shames our political apathy. Their experiences clearly drive them onwards.
St. John, writing to encourage first generation Christians who had never met Jesus, points to his own first-hand experiences of being with Jesus.
'We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us. We proclaim to you what we have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.' (1 John 1.1-4)
It is striking how many times he refers back to personal experiences - We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands (v.1) , and we have seen him (v.2), what we have actually seen and heard (v.3)
John's own experience of the life of Jesus and what that life communicated was the basis for his own life being transformed. To discover that Jesus brings us into relationship with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ is a miracle which is open to all of us. The shared experience of Jesus transforming our lives is what links us as Christians with our sisters and brother around the world and across the centuries.
In St. Andrew's Church this week, we are hosting the 'One Way Experience', which is an interactive exhibition on the life of Jesus. Many of us had a brief encounter yesterday, as part of our worship, and may wish to have more time to experience the life of Jesus in this way again.
My prayer is that as children and adults take time to encounter Jesus this week, they too will be transformed.
Best wishes,
Richard
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