Reading With the People of God #13 Nicene CreedSample

Focus of the month: The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God,

the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,

the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary,
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father [and the Son],
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Faithfulness and Betrayal

In 2 Kings 23:1-30, King Josiah leads a reform, purging Judah of idolatry and renewing the covenant with God. His passion for righteousness and obedience to God’s law contrasts sharply with the wickedness of past kings. However, despite his efforts, the people’s hearts remain far from God, and Judah's downfall becomes inevitable. Josiah’s reforms remind us of the importance of authentic, heartfelt devotion to God.

In Matthew 26:57-75, we witness the betrayal and denial of Jesus—His closest followers abandon Him in His hour of need. Peter, despite his earlier promises, denies knowing Jesus three times. This painful contrast highlights the human tendency to falter in faith and loyalty when faced with fear or pressure.

The Nicene Creed affirms Jesus as the “only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father,” who, despite facing rejection and betrayal, remained faithful to His mission. While human faithfulness often fails, Jesus’ faithfulness is unwavering, even unto death. As we reflect on these passages, we are invited to examine our own faithfulness—do we, like Josiah, renew our commitment to God, or, like Peter, find ourselves failing when it matters most? Jesus’ ultimate faithfulness to us calls us to trust in His grace and strength.