Why did the chicken cross the road half-way? She wanted to lay it on the line! Scripture readings for this coming weekend are all written to specific audiences, having the common thread of the person/name of Jesus, who cared enough that he laid his own life on the line for his people. They remind our own communities of God’s involvement with our own needs. They remind each hearer that God cares enough to go though death to emphasize this Steadfast Love.
Before Acts 4:5-12 is read, some sort of prologue is necessary: Peter & John are in jail for healing a lame man “in the name of Jesus”. This has annoyed the Sadducees and other Temple leaders, who want Jesus to be not only dead, but forgotten. The text finds Peter & John on trial, which gives Peter opportunity: “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 of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead.” (Remember that the Sadducees don’t believe in life after death. ) The authorities brought death, but God has trumped them by bringing life! Peter, John and our present saints are enjoined to announce this life-giving involvement.
Study-leaders should be advised that there’s little context in the three letters attributed to John; and that the many pearls therein may easily stand alone, a few verses at a time. In the First Letter, 3:16-18, we little children are urged to respond to God’s munificence by laying down our own lives for each other. “How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?” As God in Jesus has risked, so Believers are called to imitate God by putting our own worldly wealth on the line.
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) And then in vv. 15, 17 &18 he reiterates this, concluding, “No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again.” Exegetes should remember that this was recorded early in the recently-formed Church experience, when the concept of dying/living “Christ” was still wet behind the ears. Current Believers need to know by this passage that Jesus the Christ is standing up for them even when the wolf comes!
The question always remains: how do we move from these fairly metaphysical statements to an actual hard-copy? What of my well-endowed life shall I put on the line? Shall I vette each charity that sends appeals daily, or the unkept drifter in the PriceChopper parking lot? Besieged as we are with worthy causes, will I give in to mercy-fatigue and withdraw from all sharing? “I’ve been poor, and I’ve been rich–and I like rich better!” Besides, I don’t like pain… My LIFE, on the line??
God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King
My wrestling with scripture assigned to the upcoming weekend can be found each Tuesday at this spot on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com
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