The United Church of Canandaigua

As we continue to explore John’s description of love, we are challenged in our understanding of love. Love begins with God and is only possible as He lives in and through us. If we fail to love, we should reconsider our relationship with God. When Christians read John’s words, they strive to live lives of perfect love that impact the world around them.

John, in his first epistle, defines love as sacrificial acts rooted in a belief in Jesus. In a world that often defines love shallowly as acceptance or kind words, John’s description of true love challenges us to live out God’s love for us. As the Spirit of God lives in us, love becomes the natural outflow.

As we study the third encounter of the Risen Christ in Luke 24, we find a group of faithless, fearful disciples gathered together. Yet, when Jesus appears to them, he brings peace to their strife. He brings clarity to God’s story and their role in it. As we study this encounter, we are reminded of our role as followers of Jesus. We are called to believe, to trust, and to wait on the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives as we join God in His mission in our world.

Jesus' appearance to the disciples turns fear into joy. However, a missing disciple doubts. Jesus does not leave him in his doubt, but returns offering a challenge to all who would follow. "Stop doubting and believe." (John 20:27 NIV)

Mark describes the women venturing to Jesus’ tomb to anoint His body. To their astonishment, the stone has been rolled away, and an angel informs them of Jesus’ resurrection. However, they leave the tomb fearful and timid. In time, Jesus will transform this group of disciples. Our failures and our fears do not disqualify us from being revolutionized by Jesus.

When Jesus returns from the Transfiguration, he steps into a conflict situation. The disciples and the religious leaders argue while an evil spirit is tormenting a boy. The disciples are failing to bring healing. Jesus acts and moves with the small faith of the boy's father. The challenge is for us to recognize our insufficiency and depend on Jesus to heal and restore.

In Mark 5, we witness two connected miracles in which Jesus reveals His power in hopeless situations, even death. Jesus’ love and compassion overcome the desperate circumstances of our lives. We are called to ‘not fear, but believe’ as we trust in Jesus’ Lordship over all the difficulties of life.

Power to Provide

In Mark 5, we witness two connected miracles in which Jesus reveals His power in hopeless situations, even death. Jesus’ love and compassion overcome the desperate circumstances of our lives. We are called to ‘not fear, but believe’ as we trust in Jesus’ Lordship over all the difficulties of life.

Jesus and his disciples are making their way across the Sea of Galilee at night. While Jesus is sleeping in the hull of the boat, a furious storm begins to toss the boat. The disciples wake Jesus in fear, and he speaks to the storm, causing it to cease. This demonstrates his power over the forces of nature, proving his divinity. We are challenged to trust God in the tumultuous circumstances of our lives, as he has the power and authority to bring calm to our troubled world. May we choose faith over fear.