THE BIBLE – LISTENING TO MATTHEW
COMMENT FOR EASTER 3 – 06.04.08
1 Peter 1: 17-23
This letter reminds the Christians in areas of modern Turkey that the God of the resurrection is the God with whom all people finally have to deal; so the one whom they call “our Father” is the Father of all. They are called on to remember all the events of the cross, (especially the Cross) the resurrection and Pentecost, all so deliberate and all so expressive of the heart of the good news that came to the whole human family through the man from Nazareth.
Psalm 116: 1-4, 12-19
There is heartfelt thanksgiving in this Psalm as the poet recalls what happened and in the way he or she feels to have been raised from the approach of death. Throughout the time of some prolonged illness or persecution the writer has these conversations with God. The threat was real, as was the feeling of being alone and without support. But stronger and deeper still is the conviction of being heard. So with a heart full of gratitude he or she takes up the cup of salvation as a refreshing drink when the ordeal is over.
Acts 2: 14a, 36-41
This second chapter in Acts describes how Peter, for the disciples, understood the Pentecost event. The resurrection proved that it was the God of Hebrew history who made this Jesus of Nazareth for all Jews. Such was the spiritual energy of that day, that all who heard were convinced and publicly declared their decision, claiming the offered grace and forgiveness, and asking to be baptised. We are reminded of the reality and power of this event each time the Christian Year calls us to understand this action of God.
Luke 24: 13-33
This delightful story captures the atmosphere for the disciples as the Day of Resurrection wore on. These two were sad, as they explained, because their hopes for a free Israel were dashed as Jesus died and Roman power was everywhere. Against these hard facts the morning’s story from the women was not very convincing. But their companion’s explanation of Hebrew prophetic history so warmed their hearts that, after discovering his identity over the evening meal, they set out on the seven mile walk back to Jerusalem in the Easter moonlight and learned that the men had finally discovered the risen Christ too.
THE BIBLE – LISTENING TO MATTHEW
COMMENT FOR EASTER 4 – 13.04.08
1 Peter 2: 19-25
The writer is arguing for a very orderly world but worries about the slaves. They have equal status in the Christian group, but are at the very bottom of society day by day. It was that same world, without justice or compassion, that God, in the Man from Nazareth, challenged and suffered for. All who bear the image of the Eternal Spiritual power we call God are called to follow in his steps. For his way makes non-violence and art form of intelligent love.
Psalm 23
This Psalm has grown out of Hebrew shepherding tradition and now has universal appeal. People who have been strangers to the Christian story can begin their Bible reading with this Psalm. It is personal in its language. There is no hangover from the past, only the experience of restoration and acceptance. It has gathered about it countless stories, known and unknown, where people in times of loneliness, danger and anxiety have found spiritual strength. It is a Psalm for the best and darkest experiences of life.
Acts 2: 42-47
This passage describes the dynamic way of life among those first Christians following the resurrection and Pentecost. The church has always used it as the model by which its common life is judged, because the people are such a vibrant, healthy and happy group. They had learned to share, even their surplus property, for the sacred had invaded their everyday life. People ever since have drawn inspiration from this passage when thinking about homelessness, poverty and hunger.
John 10: 1-10
We can imagine the eleven disciples after the resurrection going back over the incidents and conversations they had with Jesus. The words about the Good Shepherd would have special significance. This, for them would now be the Good Shepherd voice. They had just received a big lesson about trusting that voice, and so they waited for the next big event. That applies to everyone who has heard the voice of the Good Shepherd – the promise is always to a sustaining, more abundant life.
THE BIBLE – LISTENING TO MATTHEW
COMMENT FOR EASTER 5 – 20.04.08
1 Peter 2: 2-10
Peter grew up believing that he was different and special in race, religion, status and gender. Now he is excited as groups of Christians are sharing together, ignoring all those tribal categories. Like scattered stones people are being brought together and made the cornerstone of a new creation, through the sacrifice of Jesus. His sense of wonder grows as he thinks of how in the spirit of love all these once diverse groups are able to share together. Understanding that Jesus died for all, they all together form the chosen race – God’s own people – the human race.
Psalm 31: 1-5, 15-16
This Psalm reads like a prayer being recited in thanksgiving at public worship. Its appeal for help from God moves through emotions and moods but always has this sense of being entirely safe in the hands of God. Jesus speaks the words of v.5 as if all conflict is over, there is nothing more that can be done, and in this action he is safe at last. He is safe and at home with the creative God of all life.
Acts 7: 55-60
This chapter tells how the early church understood the reasons why the people rejected Jesus as the Messiah. Then the chapter ends with this dreadful story. The incident was a tribal rage using the old method of stoning with a person of note watching the coats. The brutal cruelty of the action is in contrast to the grace and visionary spirit of the victim. He commends his spirit to the creator and prays for his tormentors. He is acknowledged as the first martyr of the Christian faith.
John 14: 1-14
In this resurrection period we hear John’s story of a conversation with Jesus, and we can imagine the disciples discussing it. Jesus is saying that in his ministry he is one with the God of the Hebrew faith, and that believing in Him they will be brought into the community of God with the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost. The disciples find this hard to follow, but are able to grasp the idea that trusting Jesus is the same as trusting their God, for they have found in Jesus the way to God.
THE BIBLE - LISTENING TO MATTHEW
Comment for Easter 6 - 27-04-08
1 Peter 3: 13-22
Christians were finding their way in traditional societies, attracting attention by being different. Their way of loving, sharing and forgiving invited questions and sometimes attracted abuse. They were vulnerable if or when some disaster occurred, and they, being different, got the blame. Peter is saying the the way of God is always to live the life of patient, intelligent love, accepting the cost of misunderstanding, and for the people of the Resurrection the same will happen again.
Psalm 66 : 8-20
The struggles, accidents and problems referred to in this Psalm are the usual part of living. Through the worst of it, however, the writer never lost the sense of the presence of his God. So now he gives thanks for God's care and, as he promised, he offers the sacrifices of thanks. These "trials and burdens" got our attention as Anzac Day and the Sydney Memorial filled our memories.
Acts 17 : 22-34
Paul seems to be really at home in Athens. Greek was the common language in that old world, but he was also able to quote from their poets as he introduced his hearers to Jesus and the Resurrection. That was when his academic discussion became serious. In all the programmes which the church might influence there is at heart a message of new life - resurrection. For Paul, this is coming alive through the Christ of the Cross.
John 1: 15-21
In this Resurrection period we imagine the disciples going over passages such as this, trying to discover what Jesus was really meaning. They were to think in terms of someone being physically present with them to say and do what they should really like to be doing. John is going over how the discussion proceeded because when writing this account years later it was plain how they lost the confidence they had in the presence of Jesus. However the Pentecost experience was just about to change that.
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