Second Sunday of Easter

Dec 16 2024

Scripture Study for

“Signs and wonders” refers to the miracles that the apostles were able to accomplish through the divine power bestowed on them by Jesus. This passage is probably a collection of motifs rather than a coherent summary. It states that some people were afraid to join the community of believers; it then contradicts itself by claiming that great numbers were added to their ranks. Actually, both were probably true. The great accomplishments of the early Christians certainly struck fear in the hearts of some, while at the same time they attracted others. Fear and admiration can and do exist side by side, especially when the power of God is evident.

John is caught up by the Spirit and is commissioned by God as were the prophets of old. The function of his vision is twofold: it clarifies the nature of his task, and it confers divine authority on it. John is gripped with fear, literally frightened to death. The figure in the vision responds with the standard declaration of reassurance: Fear not! Do not be afraid! The figure then identifies himself with the classic divine self-revelation: I am! (égó eími). The figure in the vision clearly takes to himself divine characteristics. This vision is not merely for John; it is clearly meant for the churches as well.

It is on the evening of the Resurrection day itself that the Holy Spirit is bestowed on the disciples, who are then commissioned to go forth and declare salvation and judgment. The absent Thomas represents the second generation of Christians, those called to believe through the testimony of others. The faith required of him is, in a way, more demanding than that required of those who actually encountered the risen Lord. Viewed in this way, his doubt might be more understandable. According to Jesus, as profound as was Thomas’ ultimate faith, it does not compare with the faith of those who do not enjoy the kind of experience of the Lord described here.

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.”