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Take the Next Step
- Date: Fri, Apr 9, 2010
- Author: Linda Roddis
I was climbing Carlton Peak in Northern Minnesota with some friends. It was one of the first times I attempted the rigorous sport of rock climbing. As we began the first climb we got to a steep ridge and I had to take the next step.
The drop was about 300 feet, the rock before me was smooth. The only way to continue was to trust the climber in front and behind me. After a deep breath and a prayer and some peer pressure, I took that next step and the climb continued for the whole group. Each climber’s choice to go further or to stop affected the whole group.
Our choice in life to take the next step often affects the group, or community, in which we live.
When we choose to deepen a relationship by taking the next step towards marriage, it affects our families and friends. When we take the next step at work by asking for a raise or increased responsibility, we can change our company. At home when we can take the next step by recycling, we start to protect the whole environment.
This idea applies to our relationship to our faith community. Taking the next step may mean that we share our ideas, or join a committee or commission. It may also mean that we grab the rope of trust, say a prayer, and then speak our truth. Taking the next step may mean we turn to a fellow member and tell them we need help or thank them for their warm smile Sunday after Sunday.
Jesus took the next step by entering Jerusalem when things were getting politically rough for him. And again Jesus took a bold step when he spoke his truth to Pilate. Last Sunday we celebrated Easter, the day Jesus stepped out of the grave and into new life. Let’s follow him and take the next step for it will change not only our lives but will also bring new life to those around us.
These are the scripture readings in the Revised Common Lectionary for the forthcoming Sunday:
Acts 5:27-32
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
Psalm 150
Let Everything Praise the Lord
150:1 Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens!
2 Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his excellent greatness!
3 Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
4 Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
5 Praise him with sounding cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
John 20:19-31
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
Jesus and Thomas
24 Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
The Purpose of This Book
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
