Daily Devotion for Lent 2020 - Day 29

Scripture Reading: Acts 21:17-36 (NRSV)

Paul may be in trouble.  He's stirred up trouble among Jews all across the Mediterranean because of his liberal views concerning Gentiles.  When he comes back, he visits with James, the brother of Jesus who was the leader of the church in Jerusalem.  James was known for his preservation of Judaism within Christianity and so the critique of Paul's message to the Gentiles may have been closer than Luke indicates in this passage.

Did Paul tell Gentiles to forsake Moses? 

Not exactly.  The preservation of Judaic law was not Paul's mission.  His mission was to introduce people to the living Lord be they Jew or Gentile.

Paul does state in 1 Corinthians 10:23-26:

“All things are lawful,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other. Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience, for “the earth and its fullness are the Lord’s.”

So in this instance, he allows the eating of meat offered to idols and not slaughtered with kosher methods.  He later adds that if you are with someone who has difficulty with this, then you are to refrain from eating.   So technically, while his mission is not to forsake Moses, someone who is committed to the dietary laws could certainly phrase it this way.

Paul has a different mindset.  Earlier in 1 Corinthians (9:19-23), he explains this explicitly:

For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law) so that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some.  I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings. 

Paul begins to live out, "To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews" in following the Jerusalem leadership's instructions to join in the purification rites.  Unfortunately, this was not enough.  When those zealous for the law are stirred up, they seize Paul and begin to beat him.  The violence is contagious as they contend that he has violated the temple by bringing in a Gentile.  Archaeologists have actually discovered an engraving from the time of Herod that forbids the entry of Gentiles to the temple which was punishable by death.

Fortunately for Paul, Roman soldiers intervene.  While they were the executioners of his Lord, they would ironically be his lifeline on this day.

What feelings does this photo engender?

This is a blatant reminder that our views can be misconstrued.  Paul was not interested in tearing down the law for the Jewish population.  He was actually exposing the wider world to quite a bit of it.  But his main reason for doing this was to share the resurrected Christ with all that he could.  If the law got in the way, he was not opposed to laying it aside for his main purpose.  But others saw him as an enemy to God.  This is a great irony because the very people who were beating him were simply a version of his younger self.

How do we come across with our words?  In such a diverse setting as today, would Paul have said, "To the Republicans, I became as a Republican, in order to win Republicans.  To the Democrats, I became as a Democrat, in order to win Democrats"?  While this sounds rather wishy-washy, for Paul, it was about getting his message across effectively. 

When you hear the words of someone and you disagree with their position, do you give the benefit of the doubt or are you more likely to stir the pot?  We must be careful not to misconstrue people's positions or we join in the mob mentality that is unfortunately a part of the human condition.  Sometimes it is good for us to review, "What is my main objective as a follower of Jesus?

Prayer for the day:

Lord, since you exist, we exist.
Since you are beautiful, we are beautiful.
Since you are good, we are good.
By our existence we honor you.
By our beauty we glorify you.
By our goodness we love you.
Lord, through your power all things were made.
Through your wisdom all things are governed.
Through your grace all things are sustained.
Give us power to serve you, wisdom to discern your laws,
and grace to obey those at all times.
Amen.

Prayer by Edmund of Abingdon, Archbishop of Canterbury, 13th century

Photo by Pete Souza, Official White House photo, November 10, 2016. 

All scripture quoted is from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Daily Devotion for Lent 2020 - Day 26

Scripture Reading: Acts 19:1-20 (NRSV)

It may be surprising to some that John the Baptist still had disciples that were following in his way.  Paul encounters them in Ephesus and they seem very amenable to becoming Christians.   So Paul baptizes them and they receive the Holy Spirit.  Interestingly enough, there were twelve of John's disciples who convert to Christianity.  Could this be allegorical as a reference to the twelve disciples of Jesus?

For United Methodists, we ask the question, "Is this re-baptism?"  We are clear that we do not re-baptize those who have already been baptized as Christians.  Specifically, the 2016 Book of Discipline states in paragraph 341.7:

No pastor shall re-baptize. The practice of re-baptism does not conform with God’s action in baptism and is not consistent with Wesleyan tradition and the historic teaching of the church. Therefore, the pastor should counsel any person seeking re-baptism to participate in a rite of reaffirmation of baptismal vows.

Here I am baptizing a youth at someone's pool.
The rest of the congregation is gathered with the photographer.
The owners of the pool later claimed that they were swimming
in Holy Water!

But what our polity is talking about is Christian baptism that resonates with our theology of the Trinity.  Since John's disciples had no understanding of the Holy Spirit (at least from the perspective of the early church), we would say that they were not really baptized as Christians and so this doesn't count as re-baptism.

Some traditions that emphasize adult baptism may wonder at the United Methodist prohibition on re-baptism.  We do not think that those in other traditions who re-baptize are sinning, we are just putting the emphasis on different things.

Adult baptism or Believer's baptism is where someone makes their own repentance of sin and profession of faith in Jesus Christ.  In infant or children's baptism, this is done by parents or guardians and the newly baptized will complete this for themselves at their confirmation.  For those who re-baptize, the emphasis is on the decision the individual is making publicly for Jesus Christ.  It is a commitment of the individual in faith to God through Jesus Christ.

A United Methodist understanding places the emphasis in baptism on God's commitment to that individual.  If God has committed to us, God remains faithful to us even though we may stray.

Our United Methodist understanding of Baptism, By Water and the Spirit makes this point clearly:

The claim that baptism is unrepeatable rests on the steadfast faithfulness of God. God’s initiative establishes the covenant of grace into which we are incorporated in baptism. By misusing our God-given freedom, we may live in neglect or defiance of that covenant, but we cannot destroy God’s love for us. When we repent and return to God, the covenant does not need to be remade, because God has always remained faithful to it. What is needed is renewal of our commitment and reaffirmation of our side of the covenant.

We also see the sons of Sceva, Jewish itinerant exorcists, using the name of Jesus to cast out demons.  This may remind us of Luke's gospel story in 9:49-50:

John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him; for whoever is not against you is for you.”

Moses had similar feelings for those who are doing good things for God.  However, the effectiveness of these would-be exorcists in Acts is less than they would desire.

Both of these stories - the baptism of John's followers and the ineffectiveness of the Jewish exorcists - point toward an authority that is found in the early church.  Luke is making clear that God is working through this new thing and if you want to really be connected with God, you will get on board!

How do we ascribe authority to the church today?  How is our prayer life more effective when we join with other believers?  How does our knowledge and understanding of scripture increase?  I believe that these latter two questions are two of the ways that we see the Holy Spirit at work in our lives today.  And as we pursue these things, we live out our baptismal covenant and try to be as faithful to God as God is to us.

Prayer for the day:

God, with your help, we will proclaim the good news
   and live according to the example of Christ.
God, with your help, we will surround the others in our congregation
    with a community of love and forgiveness,
    that we all may grow in our service to others.
God, with your help, we will pray for the others in our congregation
  that we all may be true disciples who walk in the way that leads to life.
Amen.

Prayer based on the congregational baptismal response of The United Methodist Church.

All scripture quoted is from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Daily Devotion for Lent 2020 - Day 20

Scripture Reading: Acts 13:26-52 (NRSV)

Paul continues his preaching to the Galatians of Antioch in Pisidia.  Note that he is speaking primarily to Jews living in that region along with God-fearers - Gentiles who have adopted the Jewish faith.  He speaks of the ignorance of those religious leaders in their faith in Jerusalem.  Some might not take offense at this (being so far away) but others likely would. 

Paul speaks of the resurrection of Jesus.  He lifts up various Hebrew scriptures to show that this already aligns within their belief structure.  First he lifts up Psalm 2:7 to declare that this was actually talking about Jesus.  Psalm 2 was originally used as an enthronement hymn - likely used in the coronation ceremony of Israel's kings.

Next Paul turns to the release from corruption (as a corpse) by quoting Isaiah 55:3:

Incline your ear, and come to me;
    listen, so that you may live.
I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
    my steadfast, sure love for David.

This indicates the Messianic line that will emerge and which Christians see fulfilled in Jesus.  Then Paul continues with the resurrection from Psalm 16:10 which states:

For you do not give me up to Sheol,
    or let your faithful one see the Pit.

This psalm first expressed the idea that the faithful will not perish in the current turmoil they are experiencing.  Paul relates it specifically to Jesus.

Finally Paul recognizes that this may be incredulous to many.  This evidently isn't the first time God has worked in the world only to be ignored.  Paul quotes Habakkuk 1:5:

Look at the nations, and see!
    Be astonished! Be astounded!
For a work is being done in your days
    that you would not believe if you were told.  

The fact that these scriptures originally referred to other points or contexts is more of a 21st Century critique that wouldn't have held water in the first century.  For Paul, all things point to Christ.  It is something he doesn't have to justify, rather this lens justifies everything else.

As predicted, Paul encounters significant opposition.  While some Jews would have adopted this new lens as well, Paul recognizes that it may be the Gentiles that actually have less reservations to this new turn in God's story.  With this split, we may see how God continued to work with the Jews who remained in their faith and also with the Christians who were starting something new.

Paul turns once again to Isaiah, quoting 49:6:

(God) says,
“It is too light a thing that you should be my servant
    to raise up the tribes of Jacob
    and to restore the survivors of Israel;
I will give you as a light to the nations,
    that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”  

This "light to the nations" theology continues to push the church into new territories.  If there are places that won't listen, we must move forward.  As Paul and Barnabas shake off the dust of their feet, it reminds us that Jesus told his disciples to do this if they were not appreciated in Luke 10:11 when they were going from town to town:

But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’

Some places take more clapping off than others!

This custom comes from those Jewish people re-entering the Promised Land.  Because the dust from a foreign country was considered unclean, they were to shake it off their sandals before tracking it into God's holy region.  So by doing this, the disciples are making a point that those who did not receive them are not real Jews and have more in common with heathens.

This last response (leaving) may be challenging to us.  There are many places or times when we want to stay and fight.  Certainly, we need to make our point.  But if it is not being regarded, could it be that we need to shake the dust off our feet and move on?  Where have I stayed too long in argument?  When have I stayed not to change minds or convey my point but rather to get as many barbs in as possible?  If the lens of Christ is our primary reality, how do we not only share the resurrection but also live out the resurrection in the everyday?

Prayer for the day:

Lord God almighty, open my heart and enlighten by the grace of your Holy Spirit, that I may seek what is well-pleasing to your will;
direct my thoughts and affections to think and to do such things as may make me worthy to attain to your unending joys in heaven;
and so order my doings after your commandments that I may be ever diligent to fulfill them, and be found everlastingly rewarded from you.  Amen.

Prayer by Bede, England, 8th Century

Photo by drgillybean via Flickr.com.  Used under the Creative Commons license.

All scripture quoted is from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Daily Devotion for Lent 2020 - Day 16

Scripture Reading: Acts 10:24-48 (NRSV)

Peter meets up with Cornelius in today's reading and I find it interesting that he begins to worship Peter.  If he really thought he was divine, it seems a bit presumptuous to have those under you to fetch him to you rather than go to him.  This makes me re-evaluate how I treat God on a daily basis.

It may be surprising to see how Jews really thought of Gentiles.  The sense of separation that they were supposed to have was from one school of thought within Judaism.  That was the sense that they were set aside as a holy people.  To interact with Gentiles would profane them and thus their ability to be God's covenant people.

Deuteronomy 7:1-6 lines this out quite clearly with lines that stand out when interacting with outside tribes like, "you must utterly destroy them", "show them no mercy", and "do not intermarry with them".  Of course, this reads differently if you are a minority, persecuted people.

Another school of thought was the idea that God's people were to be a light to the nations.  This occurs within the Suffering Servant passages in Isaiah that many Christians reinterpret to represent Jesus.  So it is no surprise that Christianity tends to fall more along the lines of this philosophy.  We see it as we are to witness to the ends of the earth.

Isaiah 42:6-7 reads:

I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness,
    I have taken you by the hand and kept you;
I have given you as a covenant to the people,
    a light to the nations,
       to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
    from the prison those who sit in darkness.

Of course, this sounds like the ministry of Jesus.  Would it be that much of a stretch to see the Gentiles as a people imprisoned "who sit in darkness"?

So when you have two schools of thought that sometimes clash, something has to give.  For Peter, it is their separation from Gentiles.  When he states that "God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him" in verses 34-35 of chapter 10 of Acts, we see him putting the controversy over God-fearers to bed.  There must have been some who would have questioned whether God would even hear the prayers of a Gentile in that day.  There always seems to be this limiting of God as we have had prominent Christian pastors question whether God receives the prayers of Jews today.

This understanding that God is universal is a part of the theology of prevenient or preceding grace.  It is a generosity of spirit and allows for God to be present in places that may be foreign to you. 

Jesus reminds us, "I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold."

So when Peter asks the question, "Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" it reminds us of the similarly loaded question that the Ethiopian eunuch asked of Philip.  Luke includes these questions in Acts because they are still being worked out practically in the churches of that day.  Some people would say "No, of course not" but others would undoubtedly say, "Yes, they are heathens and undeserving of baptism."

This would have us ponder the entire idea of grace.  Who does deserve baptism?

I do like the wonderful reminder as a United Methodist within our doctrinal document, By Water and the Spirit, which states, "There are no conditions of human life that exclude persons from the sacrament of baptism." 

While this may be aspirational for us today, I do think it is good to lift up what we're striving for and see that it comes from our very beginnings as a church.

Prayer for the day:

Gracious God, 
it is through the Sacrament of Baptism
that you initiate us into Christ's holy Church.
We are incorporated into your mighty acts of salvation
and given new birth through water and the Spirit.
All this is your gift, offered to us without price.
May we reaffirm our faith and renew the covenant declared at our baptism,
acknowledging what you are doing for us,
and affirming our commitment to Christ's holy Church.
Amen.

Prayer adapted from The United Methodist Church's Introduction to the Baptismal Service.

Photo by Jeff Ashton via Flickr.com.  Used under the Creative Commons license.

All scripture quoted is from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Daily Devotion for Lent 2020 - Day 15

Scripture Reading: Acts 10:1-23 (NRSV)

Luke has really been softening us up in the previous chapters.

We see Samaritans who are admitted into the fellowship.

The the Ethiopian eunuch.

Now, we have this Cornelius who is a Roman Centurion.  He was an officer who would have been in charge of 100 men.  Christian or Jewish zealots would have been opposed to ministry with any Roman soldiers and probably the higher the chain of command, the worse the opposition.  This would have been due to the fact that Roman soldiers were instrumental in their oppression rather than freedom.

Luke seems to have positive interactions with other centurions in his Gospel. 

In chapter 7, we see the story of Jesus not only healing a centurion's servant, but praising him for his faith.

Then at the crucifixion, Luke reports in a similar fashion to Mark and Matthew that a centurion speaks favorably of Jesus after his death:

When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent.”  (Luke 23:47)

In any event, we see Cornelius having a vision at three o'clock.  I wrote in an earlier blog about a healing happening at this time and how this time was associated with the death of Jesus.  Cornelius is portrayed as a righteous Gentile - a God-fearer.  Will there be a place for him in the new fellowship?

There is often more freedom from today's
dietary laws at the kids' table.

Peter has his own vision prior to the arrival of the men from Cornelius.  It seems to be a vision that grants permission to the eating of unclean animals.  I wrote yesterday about Peter staying with a tanner who would have been considered unclean himself.  Now he is having this permissive dream concerning the Jewish dietary laws.  For many in his day, this would be too much. 

Rather than a vision from God, they would likely say that if his vision is contrary to scripture, you better check its source.

The greater commission seems to come from Jesus.  We are to be witnesses to the end of the earth.   

If this is the prime directive, it seems that other competing claims may be in jeopardy.  What are the things that may stand in our way today?  What is difficult to let go in order to reach the next generations? 

Prayer for the Day:

Jesus, my feet are dirty. Come even as a slave to me, pour water into your bowl, come and wash my feet. In asking such a thing I know I am overbold, but I dread what was threatened when you said to me, “If I do not wash your feet I have no fellowship with you.” Wash my feet then, because I long for your companionship.  Amen.

Prayer by Origen of Alexandria, 3rd Century

Photo by Greg Walters via Flickr.com.  Used under the Creative Commons license.

All scripture quoted is from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Daily Devotion for Lent 2020 - Day 12

Scripture Reading: Acts 8:26-40 (NRSV)

We see Philip the Evangelist continue in his witness.  He is led by an angel and encounters an Ethiopian eunuch that worked in the treasury of his queen - a prominent position.  He seems to be a follower of Judaism even though he was a Gentile.  These were known as God-fearers by Jews of that time and were known across the Mediterranean world.

The Ethiopian was studying Isaiah and we see 53:7-8 quoted.  This is a part of the passage of the Suffering Servant motif in Isaiah which Christians often interpret to be Jesus.  The silence of the Suffering Servant can be seen in the questioning of Jesus by Herod.  We see this recorded in Luke 23:9:

"He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer." (NRSV)

Philip then begins to witness to this Gentile about Jesus.

It is interesting that the eunuch said that he had come to Jerusalem to worship and was now returning home.  We are unsure whether or not he was successful in his attempt to worship.

The Hebrew Law was clear on forbidding eunuchs entry into the assembly.

So when he asks Philip, "What is to prevent me from being baptized?" it is a loaded question.

Well, it could be your status as an Ethiopian.  Would Gentiles receive baptism?  We have seen Samaritans receive baptism but they are somewhat related.  Ethiopians are further removed culturally.

It could also be your status as a eunuch.  Their sexual ambiguity made them a target of ridicule in the ancient world.  People were not comfortable with them and did not see them as equals.  His occupation as a court treasurer would confer higher status on him certainly but this might make him even lonelier as other eunuchs would likely not feel high enough in status to associate with him.

Water is cleansing and life giving to all people.
There is good reason we utilize it in baptism.

Philip decided that these things would not prevent his baptism.  This single baptism (and Luke's record of it) opens the body of Christ up to a wider world.  It moves God's grace even beyond the rules recorded in the Hebrew scriptures.  It could have been seen as a subversive act by the Jewish Christians of the day.  It may have been controversial among the apostles.  But it was done and Luke lifts it up as an example of how the church will operate in the world.

As The United Methodist Church debates how we will be in ministry with the LGBTQ+ community, this passage may challenge the church just as it did for the first century Christians.  It seems to remind us that God's love transcends our social boundaries and often pushes us past our comfort zones.  If you think about baptism in your local church, can you imagine your pastor baptizing anyone that would make you uncomfortable?

This would be undoubtedly similar to feelings that early Christians would have had when Philip related what he had done.


Prayer for the day:

God, we give thanks for the gifts you have already given the baptized.
Helps us to welcome them in Christian love.
May we renew our covenant to faithfully participate in the ministries of the Church with them.
Let us be united in our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service and our witness
that in everything, you may be glorified in Jesus Christ.  Amen.


Prayer based on the United Methodist baptismal covenant response.

Photo by Javier Morales via Flickr.com.  Used under the Creative Commons license.

Daily Devotion for Lent 2020 - Day 11

Scripture Reading: Acts 8:1-25 (NRSV)

We see Philip the Evangelist (one of the seven deacons commissioned in chapter six) breaking boundaries by sharing the faith in Samaria.  He is sometimes confused with Philip, one of the twelve apostles but tradition separates the two men.

Samaritans would likely be considered closely related to the Jews of that day genetically but sometimes our closest family makes the bitterest enemies.  Culturally, they were divided with each likely looking down on the other.

The movement of Jesus seems to favor the outcast within society.  Those considered ritually unclean are given new life through this lens.  Samaria may test the boundaries of who they are willing to accept.  As we see which gospel writers mention the movement of Jesus into Samaria, we see Luke and John only sharing these stories.  Only Luke, of course, has the parable of the Good Samaritan which even impacts those outside Christianity still today.

We see that the gift of the Holy Spirit seems to come from the apostles rather than a deacon like Philip.  We see the baptism in the name of Jesus rather than in the Trinity, a later Christian development.  The Samaritans receive the Holy Spirit after the laying on of hands from the apostles.  In current practice within The United Methodist Church, the Holy Spirit is received at one's baptism with the laying on of hands. 

Simon Magus (the magician) also converts to Christianity and we see that we haven't had to wait long until someone wants to profit from the attraction and power people are encountering.  He may think that if he could grant the gift of the Holy Spirit to others, there would be a fortune to be made here!

Ironically, Peter who is also named Simon quickly rids Simon Magus of this notion.  Peter of all people knows that even though he had been tempted, he was not beyond redemption.  Simon Magus still doesn't understand the power dynamics of the faith.  While Peter bids him to pray for repentance, Simon asks Peter to pray to God on his behalf.  If Peter would intercede for him with Jesus, he saw that his chances of avoiding the pit would improve.

This is a perfectly human notion.  I need intervention with the really powerful.  Christianity has moved in and out of this notion throughout its history.  Modern prayer to the saints is not really prayer to them as much as the request for intervention on their behalf.

Sometimes the social barriers we erect
are more impenetrable than the physical ones.

But we see from the apostles that we can pray to God directly - even when we are in the midst of sin.  We see that even a Samaritan who practiced who knows what kind of magic - and here Luke is painting a pretty low picture for Christian Jews in his day - even this person might find redemption in the Lord. 

In this way, the revolution of Christianity is to break down hierarchy (even as we see it present through the apostles over the deacons in sharing the gift of the Holy Spirit).  If Samaritans can receive the Holy Spirit, then our own notion of who is beneath us shatters.

As we think of our own culture in the 21st century, which categories of people would we hesitate to name as recipients of the Holy Spirit?  Who would you be shocked to see accepting Jesus as the Lord?  One thing that remains constant is humans love their status and their boundaries.  How does our faith belie these things?

Prayer for the day:

We thank you for your church, founded upon your Word, that challenges us to do more than sing and pray, but go out and work as though the very answer to our prayers depended on us and not upon you. Help us to realize that humanity was created to shine like the stars and live on through all eternity. Keep us, we pray, in perfect peace. Help us to walk together, pray together, sing together, and live together until that day when all God's children -- Black, White, Red, Brown and Yellow -- will rejoice in one common band of humanity in the reign of our Lord and of our God, we pray. Amen.

Prayer by Martin Luther King, Jr., 20th Century

Photo by Nico Kaiser via Flickr.com. Used under the Creative Commons license.

Daily Devotion for Lent 2020 - Day 10

Scripture Reading: Acts 7:1-34 (NRSV)

In the last chapter, we are introduced to Stephen as one of the seven who were devoted to the care of the Christian community.  He was listed as "a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit."  Stephen performed signs and wonders and he argued in the synagogue.  He was arrested and brought before the council and they charged him with blasphemy.

This is no small charge.  Leviticus 24:16 states:

One who blasphemes the name of the Lord shall be put to death; the whole congregation shall stone the blasphemer.

Stephen is left to defend himself.  And so he begins to remind the council of their shared history.

While they would already know all of this by heart (and may be thinking, "Get on with it, Stephen"), Luke may recount this here for the sake of his Gentile readers who would need a reminder in Jewish history.  Interestingly enough, Luke does not omit the covenant of circumcision that God makes with Abraham.  He could easily have left this part out as it was controversial among Gentile converts as we shall see unfold in future chapters of Acts.

Luke also specifically refers to the circumcision of John the Baptist and Jesus in his gospel.  This may be to show that Christianity has not broken so far from this covenant with God.

Stephen reminds them of the betrayal of Joseph by his brothers as well as the lack of appreciation of Moses by his fellow Jews.  We see that in spite of how his brothers treated him, Joseph is a forgiving man and brings salvation to the people that enslaved him.  We then see that God will send Moses to rescue the very people that tried to throw him under the bus when he was trying to help them.

Justice should be blind to our wealth, power and status.
Jealousy and envy should not influence it.

Stephen is beginning to craft the story to remind the council that their people have not always got it right.  In fact, the righteous have often been misunderstood and abused.  We'll see how this works out for Stephen as we finish out the chapter tomorrow.

All people have a common history or ancestry if we go back far enough.  There are commonalities among all humanity such as jealousies and envies as well as the striving for security and the love of family.  The preservation of one's community may be one of the strongest drives that we have.  We are social beings and we have formal and informal laws that help us to be able to live together.

When someone breaks these rules, we attempt to pull them back into community.  Sometimes we punish them and sometimes we exile them through either imprisonment or banishment.  If the threat seems great enough, we sometimes exercise a lethal sentence. 

How do we preserve our Christian community today?  What things do we tolerate and what do we find intolerable?   How do we examine ourselves to make sure that we are not ignoring or persecuting the prophets God is sending today? 

Prayer for the day:

Steer the ship of my life, good Lord, to your quiet harbor, where I can be safe from the storms of sin and conflict. Show me the course I should take. Renew in me the gift of discernment, so that I can always see the right direction in which I should go. And give me the strength and the courage to choose the right course, even when the sea is rough and the waves are high, knowing that through enduring hardship and danger in your name we shall find comfort and peace.  Amen.


Prayer by Basil of Caesarea, 4th Century

Photo by Tim Evanson via Flickr.com.  Used under the Creative Commons license.