Ken Wood, pastor of Holy Nativity Evangelical Lutheran in Endicott, wrote in that church’s newsletter about the Great Fifty Days: “The spiritual history of these days is the story of Jesus’ followers to ‘resurrection’….We followers of Jesus are to use these great fifty days to recognize what it means to live with resurrection.” Dare we believe that this Easter-event involves US? So what’s the catch? Is salvation really this free? Readings for this weekend continue the wide-eyed amazement of Jesus’ disciples–and invite us to join with them in Holy Awe.
The Authorities in Jerusalem were indignant when Peter & John offered Jesus’ healing to a beggar! (He musta been evil, since God made him a beggar. Why should these Galileans overthrow the established order? Who do they think they are!?) Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ…” (Acts 4:9-10) And then he suggests that Wholeness is Salvation!
The First Letter of John is written to give a positive spin to what was then an underground and often illegal movement. He writes, “…we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him….And this is [God’s] commandment, that we should believe in the name of [God’s] Son Jesus Christ and love one another…” (3:22-23) William L. Self writes, “Being downcast is not sin, but it is destructive. Our churches need the encouragement of faith so despair does not take root.” (Feasting on the Word) But aren’t there more spiritual acrobatics for us to perform?
Ah, finally: the sheep. “I am the Good Shepherd”, Jesus announces. (John 10:11) The difference between the Lord and the hired help is that the Shepherd cares enough about keeping the flock whole to jump into the fray to snatch each lamb from the jaws of the wolf! Even if that means severe wounds; even if the Shepherd should die. Not because we’re so loveable, but because the Shepherd has power to expend his life where he will… Conversation point: what did he mean by saying, “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also…”? Are these Gentiles? Or Muslims, or Hindi, or Bhuddist? Street people, too? How far shall we take the preceding words of 3:16??
Easter’s wonder is because God has initiated it. Easter breaks into the World God Loves without depending upon Hard Work, Perfect Goodness, elaborate rituals or acceptable prayer routines. The result is an ageless community of hopeful sinners struggling to believe that they are beloved. The Christian symbiosis is the energy flowing around this Flock and its ever-present Shepherd.
God Bless Us,Every One Horace Brown King
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