That you may come to believe It was an early copy of Good News for Modern Man. My parents gave it to me when I was about twelve or thirteen. It was a paraphrase of the New Testament in contemporary language, and I devoured it…at least the Gospels and the book of Acts. For the first time in my life the scriptures came alive and a part of me came alive with them. John tells us that the reason he writes his gospel is so that we might come to believe. In fact, all of the gospels are there to help us believe. Because WE were not there… And even some of those who were there struggled to believe. Thomas, who said he would need physical proof of the risen Jesus, wasn’t the only one who doubted (see Matthew 28:16-17 and Luke 24:36-43). Maybe you too have struggled with doubt. John wants the world not only to know about Jesus, the way we might read about someone in history and have an educated interest in them…but to believe in Him. And not just to believe in Him…but by believing, to be made alive in Him. To have life in his name. It is this life, a living hope in Jesus that we proclaim. Every time we gather to worship; to hear the scriptures and pray…and break bread together, we let the story (our story) of our redemption and salvation seep into our bones. Sometimes to remind us of what we know. And sometimes, in our doubts, to help us come to believe. This is my prayer for us this holy season of Easter: That as we read and hear the words of scripture, they may continue to come alive to us…and that we may come more and more alive in them! Blessings,
Matthew+ Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP p. 224) | 
