Year C

Dec 10 2024

Scripture Study for

The apostolic mission has extended beyond Jerusalem and Judea and is making its way along the Mediterranean coast. Paul and Barnabas are now in the southern regions of modern-day Turkey. As we have come to expect, they are not favorably received by all Jews. In response, the apostles announce that they are now taking the gospel to the Gentiles, which has been God’s plan all along, once the gospel had been announced to Israel. The Gentiles in the crowd are delighted to hear that the gracious gift of life offered first to the Jews is available also to them, and through them the message begins to spread even further. Once again, even though they have been rejected and persecuted, the apostles are filled with joy that they are fulfilling their mission.

The Lamb seated on the throne receives worship not only from the angels and elders, but also from the multitude from every nation who have remained faithful to Christ in the face of persecution. The fact that they “survived the time of great distress” may mean either that they lived through the persecution without apostasizing or that they died faithfully as martyrs, and thus survived into eternal life. In either case, they are now in the Lamb’s presence, washed clean in his blood and ready to receive their reward. Although they suffered much on earth, now they can rest in his shelter. The vision is clearly intended to encourage those in John’s audience who struggle to stay faithful under the Romans. That time of struggle will end, he assures them, if only they will persevere in Christ.

The metaphor of shepherd is used often in the Old Testament to describe religious and royal leaders in Israel, as well as to describe God (Ezekiel 34, Psalm 23). The image evokes care and protection, especially against predatory animals. Yet in Israel, human leaders often failed in their task, abusing their “sheep” rather than caring for them. In response, God promises either to shepherd them personally or to raise up a proper shepherd (Ezekiel 34:16, 23–24). Jesus, of course, is this Good Shepherd, who protects them not necessarily from physical harm in this world but from eternal harm. Unlike regular sheep, which can be stolen, none of Jesus’ sheep can be taken from him because they are guarded by divine power, that of the Father, which the Son shares because they are one.

Dec 10 2024

“It is the Lord!”

There is something transcendent about early morning. The cold of the air begins to warm. The stars fade as new light emerges in the east. The dew on the grass glistens in the glimmer of the first rays of the sun. In the dawn, there is a sense of Presence, a perception that there is Something More here than you and I can see and hear and touch and taste and smell.

The disciples have had a night of fruitless toil. The sun is now coming up. Last night’s refuge of “I am going fishing” has turned into this morning’s forlorn “I have caught nothing.”

The One-who-is-Something-More stands on the shore. He has been on that shore before, calling them to follow him. He has told them to throw out their nets before. He has given them a huge catch before. All of this feels vaguely familiar. The Beloved Disciple recognizes the stranger: “It is the Lord!”

“It is the Lord!” every creature on earth also sings. “It is the Lord!” the elders and the living creatures of heaven sing.

For the disciples, this morning is the new day. The forlorn night is over. This is Jesus’ last appearance in the Gospel of John. Jesus makes all things new, including the broken heart of Peter: “Yes, Lord, I really love you!” “Follow me,” he says. A new era is about to begin.

The disciples do not just give up fishing. With Peter, they plunge wholeheartedly into the water; they offer their whole strength and the last drop of their heart’s blood for the truth of that resurrection. They are willing to give all they have for the sake of that name.

Each new day gives us that opportunity as well. At today’s sunrise, Jesus says to you and me as well, “Follow me.”

Consider/Discuss

At what time of day does the Spirit of God touch you most? Different people thrive at different times. Are you an early-morning person like I am? Do you share that same elation of the new day? If you are a night person, the joy of morning may not be yours; is there something transcendent, something more, about the night for you? Talk to someone with a different biorhythm than yours. How does God move you and at what time of day?
The early martyrs gave all that they had for Jesus. Christians in many parts of the world are persecuted for their faith. That may or may not be your experience. What does it mean to you to give all that you have for God?

Living and Praying with the Word

Lord, today we begin again. It is the Easter season, the time to rejoice in newness. You give us the morning. You give us the evening. You give us the night. We really do love you. We want to follow you. Let us put no limit on where we allow you to lead us, no end to our faithfulness in following you. We do not know what we are capable of, for your vision for this new day is grander than our own. Today, this day, help us to start anew.

Dec 10 2024

Scripture Study for

Although, as we saw last week, many of the Jews in Jerusalem “esteemed” the apostles for the healing and preaching, the religious leaders are suspicious of the apostles and their message. Accordingly, the apostles have been summoned before the Sanhedrin, which once again commands them to cease teaching in the name of Jesus (see 4:17–18). Here the Sanhedrin objects in particular to the claims that it is somehow responsible for the death of Jesus. Peter announces that of course it does not have the authority to stop them from teaching, because they are acting in obedience to a higher authority. They must preach the gospel, even if it brings them “dishonor,” which they joyfully accept as the price of their fidelity to God.

Having written letters of encouragement and admonition to the seven churches of Asia (2:1–3:22), John now recounts his vision of the heavenly liturgy, in which Christ, as the Lamb, receives the worship of countless angels, elders, and others. They acknowledge with one voice that the slain Paschal Lamb is worthy of worship, adoration, praise, and thanksgiving for his sacrifice on behalf of all creation. The entire creation, without exception, rightfully acknowledges Christ’s right to sit on the throne and rule that creation, receiving everlasting obedience and fidelity. The four living creatures are hybrid creatures (4:6–8), a clear reference to the four creatures in Ezekiel’s vision of the divine chariot throne, who are in fact cherubim (Ezekiel 1:5–21; 10:20).

In his final conversation with the disciples in John’s Gospel, Jesus appears to them at the Sea of Tiberias as they are fishing. Having caught nothing all night, they prepare to go ashore when Jesus sends them back out. The haul of fish, numbered at 153, is most likely symbolic, but readers through the centuries have been unsure of exactly what. More importantly, the threefold confession of Peter that he loves Jesus represents his rehabilitation after his threefold denial on Holy Thursday (John 18:17, 25, 27). Peter is now the shepherd who will tend Christ’s flock, caring for them as Christ did. The final verses point to the crucifixion of Peter, once again reminding readers that even those most in Christ’s favor (or perhaps especially those) cannot escape suffering in his service.

Dec 10 2024

Locked Doors

The door was locked. Not even a crack of light could get through. The teenager inside didn’t want to talk. She just wanted to be left alone. I felt pretty powerless. There wasn’t anything that I could do until she herself chose to open that door. I just sat on the carpet in the hallway, and prayed, “O God, help.”

The disciples had locked the door, too. They were afraid. They didn’t want to be found.

Jesus could have knocked the door down. He could have removed the hinges. He had the power to do that. But he didn’t. He used power differently. He set aside earthly physics. He “came” into their midst. There he was. The door didn’t open at all. Jesus brought his friends peace and reconciliation.

But he also had a bigger vision. He poured power into these people for a purpose—for them to burst open those doors and pour out into the streets to bring peace and healing. “Receive the Holy Spirit!” the Lord said.

And what a bursting forth! In today’s story from Acts, Peter and the apostles are running on God’s power—not power for power’s sake, but power to heal. People haul the sick out onto the streets so that Peter’s shadow can fall upon them and they are cured.

I cannot pop through walls. I had to wait. But the Holy Spirit must have oozed in through the cracks here as well. That bedroom door did eventually open. The teenager smiled through her tears. We had a good talk, peaceful and healing. I hope that she discovers her mission to bring peace and healing to this world as well, for she has much to offer. O God, help!

Consider/Discuss

Power is sometimes considered to be a dirty word. Historically, power has been abused and used to hurt. But power can also be used to heal. In Jesus’ divine mercy for the world, there is much healing to be done. What kind of Spirit-filled power would you like to pray for today, in order to fulfill the mission that you are called to?
I have a friend who is not very tall. But she is a fireball of prayer. She expects God to act. Do we live in expectation of God’s power? Jesus says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Are we eager for the movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives?

Living and Praying with the Word

Holy Spirit, you know that there are times when we sit powerlessly on the floor, helpless to open locked doors. We ask for your power, not for ourselves, but to be your gift to this world. Purify us, convert us, transform us, so that we can be filled with your goodness; make us magnetic, loving, and giving people. It is you who pop into unlikely places. Ooze your love into hearts that we love, no matter how closed. Your love is so beautiful, wanting us all to be fully alive. Help us to share in that mission of yours, to radiate your openness and pass it on. Breathe on our world, Breath of God!

Dec 10 2024

Scripture Study for

The apostles of Jesus have been sent by him to continue his mission of proclaiming God’s reign, God’s exercise of sovereign power to heal all deformations of the divine will for the flourishing of all creation. In addition to the forgiveness of sins, the apostles proclaim God’s reign by acting as instruments of physical healing and deliverance from demons. At the Jerusalem temple many have gathered to see the apostles. Although they are hesitant to “join them,” that is, to become disciples of Jesus and be baptized, they nevertheless “esteem” the apostles (in contrast to many of the religious leaders). The power of the apostles to heal is matched by the powerful faith of the people, who trust that even Peter’s shadow will bring healing!

The larger context of the book of Revelation is the persecution of Christians by the Roman Empire. The book begins with an introduction by the author, John, who is on the Roman penal colony of Patmos because of his witness to Christ. He recounts here how he was called to give prophetic witness and encouragement to other Christians from his imprisonment. The scene of seven lampstands calls to mind the interior of the Jerusalem temple (1 Kings 7:49); we are thus in the divine realm. The “one like a son of man” (see Daniel 7:13) is the glorified Christ dressed in royal garb. Christ, who encompasses all of reality (first and last), is master over death. The message for faithful persecuted Christians is clear: Christ reigns and they have nothing to fear.

The fearful disciples have hidden from the world. Into their fear comes Christ, who twice proclaims peace and sends them back out into the world. Their mission is not only to forgive (or retain) sins, but to proclaim Jesus as God’s Messiah, proof of which claim is his resurrection. While the disciples have the advantage of actually seeing the resurrected Christ, those to whom they are sent will not. The story of Thomas emphasizes the necessity for those who are not able to “see the mark of the nails in his hands” to believe on the strength of the witness of others that Jesus of Nazareth, crucified as a criminal, is in fact “Lord and God.”