One of the lasting marks of the COVID plague is loneliness: most of us feel in some way excluded from the rest of the herd. Sure, there’s ZOOM and other social media–but it’s just not the same as interacting with the rest of you flesh’n’blood humans. Scriptures to be heard on the upcoming weekend tell tales of how the COMMUNITY of Jesus rallied for healing and support. I often need to be reminded that I’m not alone, that there are others who dare proclaim Life in the face of Death.
In Luke’s account of The ACTS of the Apostles, 9:36-43, we hear about Peter’s bringing an Easter message to Joppa in the raising of Tabitha from the dead. Although Peter and Tabitha are the main characters, the story is really about the faithful community of Jesus’ disciples who were not content with The Way Things Are, and who pressed forward to bring life and wholeness. These good folks understood that illness and brokenness are not in the blueprint of Creation, and joined in mutual support to proclaim that.
REVELATION 7:9-17 tells about the great community of Heaven, banded together in praise: “there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages…” Does this mean that even “those other people” are included within Jesus’ community? (But I sometimes fear those who live on the other side of the mountain.) Here is the fulfillment of Creation’s promise–always diverse, yet united around the Lamb. Like the author, we too are compelled to announce this Happy Ending; all of us/them have come through a great ordeal…
JOHN 10:22-30 is a rather enigmatic passage–don’t get lost in detail. Like all of this gospel, the worldly authorities (the Jewish Temple leaders) here oppose the Kingdom of Heaven in a power struggle meant to preserve the Old Ways and also their own skins… Jesus uses the metaphor of the sheep who know his voice/presence/leadership, and the rest who are not yet members of this community. (By the time this gospel was inscribed, several cells of Jesus-followers were functioning, and the Temple/Judaism had been recently destroyed.) More than interesting history, this passage should help the hearers renew their own understanding of the strength of the Jesus community and proclaim Easter by their stance and service.
Family is important. We have an inborn need to be with like-minded people, to affirm our own names. Easter People are urged to experience the common dependency and give’n’take of the Body of Christ at worship and in mission.
In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King
Please join me every Tuesday to explore the lessons assigned to worship during the upcoming weekend; horacebrownking.com
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