POWERFUL WITNESS

Readings from Acts in the Season of Easter relate accounts of the earliest Christian community. This body is formed by Christ and nourished by the Spirit through teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. Such daily actions continue to bring the Body of Christ to life and shape its powerful witness to its neighbours.

The Fourth Sunday of Easter is known as "Good Shepherd Sunday" so two of the lectionary readings highlight that theme. The image of shepherd was used in the Hebrew scriptures to describe the role of the king. The terminology of "pastor", "pastoral care" and "pastoral charge" derives from the Latin word for "shepherd".

Scripture Readings (Click on the links to go to Bible Gateway)

Focus Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells the community of disciples: “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The Greek word translated here as “witness” can mean a person who testifies at a legal trial. In the book of Acts, it also means one who was with Jesus during his earthly life or one who declares the truth of God’s saving love. The power to be such a witness comes from God’s Spirit.

As noted in verse 42, the rituals and practices of teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer define these early Christian witnesses. Their life together sets the stage for the Spirit’s continuing work of empowering witnesses to proclaim, in word and deed, God’s saving love that comes through Christ.

This community of Jesus’ followers is gathered and waiting for Christ to return in glory. To some extent, this is the reason they can sell everything and live sharing all that they have. Their common faith leads to the holding of goods in common. Possessions serve the common good and respond to any in need. Leviticus 25 taught the tradition of Jubilee, an appointed time when debts would be forgiven and slaves would be set free. The redistribution of goods in this community embodies Jubilee and is a witness to their neighbours. The things that give life are shared.

Imagine the questions the neighbours of this group might have asked when observing the way they lived together! Then, as today, the church’s witness is not limited to the words spoken by its members or their deeds of mercy. Sometimes, the most powerful witness of the Christian community is in the testimony of the way it conducts its life together.

Acts 2:47 reports that this community of Jesus’ followers enjoyed the “goodwill of all the people.” “Goodwill” is a translation of a Greek word that also means “grace.” Perhaps such feelings of goodwill made it easier for the Body of Christ in that place to make God’s grace known to their neighbours.

In closing, the passage notes the community’s growth. The writer declares that such transformation comes from God through the power of the Spirit. This is a witness to the church in all times about how growth is a gift of God’s provision of grace, nurture, and feeding.

The psalmist who wrote Psalm 23 offers a powerful witness to the ways that God,– our shepherd,– provides an overflowing abundance of what is needed for life: sustenance, water, safety, and direction. God’s people can move with trust and faith into such abundant life.

First Peter 2:19-25 is a powerful witness to Christ as “the shepherd and guardian of your souls.” Written to Christians who were being persecuted, First Peter does not discount the reality of suffering. Even when facing such challenges, the example of Christ guides and the community of Christ sustains.

A powerful witness to the closeness of the relationship between shepherd and sheep, between Christ and the church, is at the heart of John 10:1-10. This relationship leads to abundant life.

Communities of Jesus’ followers in all times and places experience transformation through God’s shepherding. The Spirit accomplishes great things in lives that are lived together in Christ and empowers witness to such love. What transformation have you personally experienced from living as part of the Body of Christ? In what ways is your church a powerful witness to God’s abundant love?

Prayer

Spirit of God, stir our hearts to grow in faith, and encourage our hands to work for the good of community and life together in the Body of Christ. Enrich our lives though the grace and presence of others. In Christ we pray. Amen.

 

Comments for this post are now off.