From Rev’d Caroline Symcox – 01285 712467 – carolinesymcox@googlemail.com
Readings for Sunday: Acts 2.42-47; 1 Peter 2.19-25; John 10.1-10
There is no sermon as this Sunday is a Family Service.
The following is taken from the Parish Newsletter for Sunday 26th April 2026
There is one question that comes up again and again when we as believers talk about our faith with others. Nor is it a shallow or a foolish question, but a fundamental one, which cuts at the heart of the belief we might want to share. And that question? “So what?”
So what, if you think there is a God out there who created the world and everything else? So what, if you believe that he came to live with us as a human being, and died on a cross? So what, if he rose again? What difference does that make to you? What difference should it make to me? Often the question comes with a particular edge – the assumption that to be a Christian is to be boring, or strait-laced, or weighed down with guilt. The assumption that being a Christian is basically unrewarding.
To some extent, we might allow that they have a point. Jesus never promised that following him would be a walk in the park. He would lead us forward, certainly, like a shepherd with his sheep, but that path was not going to be safe and smooth. Peter, in his letter to the churches that we read from on Sunday, makes no bones about it: “If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.”
Following Jesus means embracing suffering, because the world is unjust, and yet must seek to live righteous lives within it. Jealousy and anger will come our way, because we mark ourselves as different, and as everyone knows, to be different is to be targeted.
But of course, this is only one side of the life we are called to when we believe in and follow Jesus. The other side is the answer to that ‘so what’ question. Why should I follow him? Because “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly”. Jesus brings life with him, in all its fullness. Life, with purpose, and meaning, and rich understanding. Life, with its promise of death defeated, and eternity opened up to those who believe. Life, shaped by joy and the peace that comes from knowing that we are becoming who we were always meant to be.
To be a Christian isn’t to be dull, or boring, or joyless. It should be the opposite. And if it currently isn’t? Well then something has become twisted somewhere down the line, and it’s time to return to the Good Shepherd who will lead us to the fresh water and rich pastures he knows we need.
This week we renew our commitment to choose life, and life in abundance. And if we have the opportunity to share why it is we follow Jesus? Let this be our answer!
Rev’d Caroline
Updated 27th April 2026