Eastertide
April 17, 2017
Scripture Reading: Acts 2:14, 22-32
For David says concerning him,
“I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken;
therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
moreover, my flesh will live in hope.
For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One experience corruption.
You have made known to me the ways of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.” –Acts 2:25-28
Peter quotes Psalms 16:8-11 as he addresses the crowd on Pentecost who wonder what in the world is going on with these followers of Jesus. Acts 2 reports the events of the Disciples of Jesus being filled with the spirit and speaking in such a way that those in attendance understood what the Disciples were saying, although the crowd included people from places with differing languages. The quote is David’s testimony to God’s presence always being with him.
Seven weeks or so had passed since the resurrection of Jesus. The disciples were most likely in a fog during much of that time wondering where did they go from here. Having been with Jesus they could never recover the life they once led. In fact, he had commissioned them to take his message to the entire world. Fishermen, a tax collectors, a zealot were an unlikely team expected to complete such a challenging mission. One can understand why the crowd was questioning their credentials.
The thing is that is you and I now. Some 2000 years later, we are called to tell the world through our lives as well as our words the message Jesus shared. A social worker here, a farmer there, a bank president, an athlete, a recovered alcoholic, people of every nation, color, language, and skill make up the Body of Christ active and engaged in the world today. We are called to be faithful despite danger, bring hope when all seems lost, and most importantly live love.
Prayer: Lord, we do need thee every hour as we attempt in our weakness to be the strength you have called us to be. Amen.