You Will Receive Power

Sounds like something NYSEG would say after a heavy storm. Actually, compared to my childhood home, our power rarely goes out. It’s a terrible thing, to feel powerless. In our digitalized age, we feel helpless and frustrated when things don’t come on, or when our clocks flash, or when there’s no reassuring light when we flick the switch. Did the Apostles feel this way when Jesus was crucified? Do folks sitting in the pews feel powerless when the storms of life are raging? Scriptures to be heard this weekend explore our perceived lack of power–and may hopefully result in its restoration, strength to live this week, this year.

The passage from ACTS 1;6-11 is a fairly familiar story of the post-resurrection Jesus, as he ascended into heaven among his friends. The Apostles are all agog, yet Jesus says to them, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses…to the ends of the earth”. Just you wait and see what you’ll be doing! I particularly like the part about the two angels who tell the wide-eyed disciples to stop staring into the heavens, to go and DO something! Or do we really expect God’s power to be shared by an invisible Spirit?

The literal conclusion of I PETER 5:6-11is the “last word” to reassure those being persecuted for their Christian lives that God is still in charge. “And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of fall grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever.” So the power really isn’t ours, except by Grace and an extension of the Godhead. When we of this century say, “It’s too much: I’m at the end of my rope!” we can be reassured that God’s still sharing Power, which is Good News indeed!

How important the Last Supper in the Upper Room is to JOHN! Nearly a third of his Gospel remembers this occasion and the words of Jesus. Chapter 17:1-5 continues this understanding as John ascribes the beginning of a holy community to the sacrament Jesus makes of himself. The “oneness” described here speaks not only of the mystery of Jesus being one with the Father, but also of the way in which the disciples have become one with each other. This is one basis of the Church: that any relationship we might have with God includes a relationship with God’s People! As Jesus is empowered by the Father, so are we empowered by each other…

Our lives are buffeted by many competing powers. The concepts and names may change, but the devilish power is still the same, lying at the heart of the matter. Some of these may even have virtue, although they end up not bringing satisfaction. You know what your vices are! But the bottom-line is God, the only Power we can trust…

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Please come join us every Tuesday at horacebrownking.com as we explore sacred texts to be read on the upcoming weekend. (‘cept for next Tuesday, May 23, since I’ll be away in New England)