In Luke’s Gospel there’s a story of two disciples walking to the village of Emmaus after Jesus’ crucifixion. They were discouraged, weighed down with disappointment. They had hoped Jesus was the one to redeem Israel, but now he was gone. As they walked, a stranger joined them. It was Jesus himself, but they didn’t recognise him.
What did he do? He began to explain the scriptures to them. He opened up the ancient writings of the Old Testament, showing how they pointed to him – to his suffering, his death, and his rising again. Later, when they broke bread with him, their eyes were opened. But first, it was the word of God that rekindled their hope.
That story is why scripture is central to our worship. When the Bible is read in church, it is not just old words from long ago. It is God speaking now. It prepares our hearts, opens our eyes, and draws us deeper into Christ.
The readings we hear aren’t chosen at random. They follow the lectionary – a cycle of readings used by churches across the world. The lectionary ensures that week by week, we hear from the whole sweep of scripture – not just our favourite parts. Wherever you worship, in Canterbury or Cape Town, there’s a good chance the same passages are being read.
On Sundays there are usually four readings. The Old Testament reading roots us in God’s covenant promises and his dealings with Israel. The psalm is both scripture and prayer – words we can take on our own lips as our response to God. The New Testament reading, often from the letters, shows how the first Christians wrestled with following Christ in their own time. And the Gospel is always the climax – the words and deeds of Jesus himself.
That balance matters. The Bible is not one book with one voice. It is a library of many voices, telling the story of God’s love across centuries. Listening to all those voices together stops us narrowing God’s word to fit our own preferences. Instead, it invites us to hear the whole story of creation, covenant, Christ, and new life.
And we don’t just listen silently. After the first two readings, the reader says: “This is the word of the Lord.” And we reply: “Thanks be to God.” It’s our way of saying: what we have just heard is not just information – it is God’s word, alive for us today.
The Gospel is given even greater honour. We stand to hear it, showing respect and readiness to listen. The reader announces: “Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to…” And we reply: “Glory to you, O Lord.” At the end we respond: “Praise to you, O Christ.” Here we recognise that in the Gospel we encounter not just teaching but Christ himself.
Back to Emmaus: those disciples first heard the scriptures explained, and only then were ready to recognise Jesus in the breaking of bread. Word and sacrament belong together. In the same way, we listen to the scriptures to rekindle our faith, so that when we come to communion we recognise Christ who is with us.
So when the Bible is read in church, don’t just hear it as history. Hear it as invitation – God’s living word, calling us to trust, to hope, and to recognise Christ in our midst.