Over the last 2 years I have been meeting with friends from around the Ipswich Circuit and beyond for a time of Reflection & Prayer, led by Sue France. This has been done from the comfort of our own homes on a Monday morning, some of us eating our porridge, (and possibly some of us still in our pyjamas – shh!) We reflect on a word and associated images and then share in a time of open prayer both spoken and silent. This series of T4TD is based on this idea.
RISEN
Today is Easter Monday when we remember the risen Lord. Christ came to earth to live amongst us, he came to set us free from our wrongdoings, and took upon himself all our sin. He paid the price for us, by dying on the cross, suffering humiliation and pain, for our sakes.
But that was not the end!
Three days later Jesus came back to life, resurrected not resuscitated.
When we give our lives to following Jesus, we are offered payment for our wrongdoings through Jesus’ death and a new life with Him.
Another meaning of the word RISEN, is related to baking bread.
I have attempted to bake bread using old yeast, and the result seems to resemble a house brick rather than a nutritious loaf. Fresh healthy yeast causes the dough to double if not treble in size, with the resultant delicious warm bread ready to be broken and shared.
Are our lives sometimes like bad yeast, spoiling what we could be and do, and even affecting others, like a bad batch of dough ? Do we sometimes spread our sinfulness on to others?
Or are our lives like risen bread, spreading goodness, peace and calm, encouraging truth and sincerity, through our words and our actions?
Next time you smell or taste a freshly baked slice of bread, take a moment to reflect on what the word risen means to you.