The Vicarage March 2008

Dear Friends,

It was the very least idea that they had expected. Even though he had told them numerous times, they could not, or would not embrace it. All their upbringing, culture and education, all their hopes, all that they were, militated against it. So when Jesus, again and again, told them that the Son of man, the anointed one, the Christ, the Messiah, should be rejected by the elders and the chief priests, should suffer many things and be crucified – they could not, or would not embrace it. (see eg Matthew 16: 21 – 23)

It was the same with the Resurrection. As good Jews they believed in a final resurrection ‘at the last day’ (see John 11:24). But the very idea of Jesus being raised to life, new life, resurrection life, ‘on the third day’ was a concept that was totally foreign to them. (This is, incidentally, another pointer to the authenticity of the Resurrection). But they could not embrace it. No wonder the women’s reports of having seen the risen Jesus were

as "idle tales". But they came through, the Cross and Resurrection transformed people.

There are many today in our society who cannot, or will not, embrace the unexpected – nay the ‘impossible’. Genuine doubt is totally understandable. But the serious person will have the courage to confront his or her doubts and be open to the God of surprises. Thomas’ doubts were not evidence for a refusal to believe; they were symptomatic of a longing to believe but a fear, also, of disappointment, of being let down, of disillusionment. He got through it and never needed ‘proof’; he didn’t need to place his hands in Christ’s wounds - he was the first disciple to say ‘My Lord andmy God’.

Our suffering and risen Lord waits for us, once again, to meet with Him. However hard our roads, whatever doubts and disillusionments we may have experienced on life’s pathway, He is there to surprise us. The unexpected is waiting for us round the next corner.

With the huge privilege of the presence among us of the Bishop of Gloucester, let us also embrace all the special services which he will be leading in Holy Week. I doubt very much if any of us will have had similar opportunities before. I for one, have never been in Palm Sunday procession, have never taken Holy Communion on Good Friday, and have never experienced an Easter Eve service similar to the one we shall be having this year. But I am eagerly looking forward to embracing the unexpected.

Jesus is truly the Lord of surprises. He waits for us all with arms outstretched. Let us go forward ‘into Galilee’ for there we shall truly see Him.

David Cook