Preparing for Worship - May 1, 2022

Our Easter celebration continues this Sunday, the Third Sunday of Easter. In the Gospel lesson, from John 20:1-19, the Risen Lord Jesus appeared to some of the disciples for a third time, at the Sea of Tiberius (Galilee). He helps them catch a huge number of big fish and provides a meal for them. Then, as Peter had three times denied Jesus, Jesus three times renews him in his mission to feed and care for his sheep, God’s people, but also predicts his death at the hands of those opposed to Jesus.

In the first reading, from Acts 9:1-22, the Risen Lord Jesus also appeared to Saul, an enemy and persecutor of Christians, and through Jesus and the reluctant witness of Ananias, Saul is brought to faith and is baptized, and soon becomes a strong witness for Jesus as the Christ, the promised Savior and the Son of God.

In the Epistle, the apostle John sees a vision of the Risen Lord Jesus, now ascended into heaven in glory, being praised for being the Lamb who was slain in order to pay the ransom price for people, so that they could have eternal life in heaven. Jesus is also called the “Lion of the tribe of Judah and the Root of David” and the One who was worthy to break the seals and open the scroll that John sees. (This reading is also one that forms the basis for the hymn in the liturgy, “This is the Feast.”)

In the Psalm, Psalm 30, David had done wrong and displeased God and faced death for himself and other Jews. David pleads for mercy and forgiveness, and God gives it to him and many others. David then praises God in this psalm for new life and joy and says he will give thanks to the Lord forever, (as we will, too, in heaven because of God’s mercy also for us, in Jesus).