We were reminded yesterday, by Paul Bryer, the Archdeacon of Dorking, that many of us have also engaged in a disgraceful cover up. In reminding us that followers of Jesus have to 'Go Tell' of the resurrection of Jesus, he also told us that 'not a lot of people know that' (as Michael Caine would say!). We could discuss the percentage of Waitrose shoppers who do or don't know that Jesus is alive, but the focus of our activity and very being should be on telling others of the message of the living Jesus.
But the truth is that ordinary Christians like you and me have not been very forthright about telling of a living Saviour. Our cover up of this foundational fact is a serious omission, verging on the disgraceful.
St. Paul put the story simply.'I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him. ' (1 Corinthians 15.3-8)
As the Archdeacon reminded us, unless we are solidly rooted in the astonishing victory of Jesus over death and decay in all its forms, the Church of St. Andrew's has no reason to exist.
If we forget to share the very reason for our existence, we are forgetting to focus on God's love and mercy. It is the story of God's grace and love which the world is dying to hear, and we need to find effective ways to share that story with those around us. The people we shall meet today, on our Frontlines, all need to know that Jesus is alive.
Best wishes,
Richard
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