So now that you’ve met the Risen Lord on Easter–now what? Will your attitude be expanded to include those around you, especially the disenfranchised and the homeless searchers in the night? Scripture lessons to be read and heard on this Fourth Week of Easter call us (the religious establishment!?) to open our hearts even further to greet the unlikely bearers of the image of God.
We begin by hearing the upshot of the story in ACTS 4 about Peter & John, the Do-er and the Be-er, who have just figured in healing a lame man by invoking the Name of Jesus. Enraged that they’ve helped in healing without a Temple license, the authorities imprisoned them and dragged them before a large council in the morning. “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Peter’s rebuttal was filled with the Holy Spirit, breaking down the System of state religion. The Disciples do not stand alone when questioned. Their heirs–we ourselves–don’t either.
We’re then challenged by I JOHN 3:16-24, exhorted to stand up for the unjustly treated and those whose relationships have hit rock bottom. “Let us love, not in word or speech [only], but in truth and action.” Love is a response to the evils ignored by the System in all ages and places. The love commanded by Jesus is knowable, touchable, even inspiring terror in those daring to leave their comfort zone–unless, of course, we stand in the Spirit and in the Name of Jesus. Must Jesus bear the cross alone?
The Gospel continues to examine the poetic work of JOHN:11-18. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” This metaphor my be strange to us urban folks, but look at it as a description of how the Lord identifies with those on the fringes. The words speak of the intimacy developed between the trusted leader and those who will follow. The sheep and the shepherd have lived together and have been rescued often by steadfast love. “There are many voices out there vying for our attention. Many distractions lure us from the path….{but} the sheep feel secure just to hear the voice of the shepherd.” (Nancy R. Blakely, in FEASTING on the WORD, B 2:452)
So where does that leave us? Hopefully as trusting disciples, nibbling our way through the world, and speaking comfortably to those abused by the System. We don’t travel alone. The presence of the Christ shows itself in our exhortations towards cultural holiness (wholeness?); guided by God’s Holy Spirit, the path is before us.
In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King
We continue to explore texts and lessons to be presented to us during worship on the upcoming weekend. Please join us each Tuesday at horacebrownking.com
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