Eastertide
April 17, 2018

Scripture Reading: Acts 4:5-12

This Jesus is
“the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;
   it has become the cornerstone.”
There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.’ –Acts 4:10-11

In the scripture above Luke, the author of Acts quotes from Psalm 118:22 which seems to call religious leaders to task for not maintaining their alignment with the key foundation of their faith. While it would be easy for us to write this off as Christ followers chastising the Jewish leaders who rejected him, I think it very much has a message for we religious leaders today who can so easily slip into forming and worshiping a deity to meet our desires. The ancients called it idolatry.  As J. B. Phillips put it in the title and substance of his classic book Your God is too Small.

The next part of the scripture follows with the statement that salvation is through that cornerstone, Jesus Christ. I accept this statement fully and I find no place in scripture where any of Christ’s followers received the assignment to judge another’s relationship with God. Matthew 25:31+ clearly illustrates that Christ is the judge. Christ followers are to be living examples of God’s love as modeled by Christ to all of God’s children and trust in God who is greater than all to know their hearts and minds.

Jesus did say, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6) but he did not describe the many ways he may be manifested to others. He did say

I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. (John 10:16) Calling us to be one in our love.

Prayer: God of Mercy and Grace, help me perfect my ability to love like Jesus and leave any judgment up to him. Amen.