EASTER SUNDAY

ACTS 10:34-43

THE BACKGROUND

For the Sundays beginning with Easter and following, the first lesson does not come from the Old Testament; it comes from the book of Acts.  We shift our focus from the old promise to the actions of the apostles, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to spread the Good News.

The Holy Spirit has called Peter to go to the house of Cornelius in the city of Philippi. Cornelius is an officer in the Roman army, and a Gentile.  But he is a “god-lover”.  This is what they called non-Jews who worshipped Yahweh, but did not fully convert to all the Jewish practices, namely the dietary laws and circumcision. The Holy Spirit called Peter to bring the Good News to Cornelius’ household.  At this point in time, most of the Christians were Jewish, and kept all the Laws of Moses.

THE DETAIL

  • Peter begins his speech by making a bold statement.  He says that “…God shows no partiality.”  Because of what the Holy Spirit has revealed to him early in this chapter, Peter now knows that Yahweh is not interested in a relationship with His “chosen people”; God loves everyone, showing no partiality to the Jews. (This is very good news to all us Gentiles!)  (v.34)
  • He then says “You [already] know his relationship with the people of Israel, but wait!  There’s more!  Jesus [the] Christ was sent to preach peace.  By the way, Jesus is Lord of all “.  (This is my personal paraphrase of verses 35 & 36.)
  • Peter goes on to concisely explain the life and ministry of Jesus.  (vv. 37-39)
  • He concludes with Jesus’ death and resurrection, adding that he and those who came with him that day were witnesses to all of this.  (vv. 40-41)
  • Now comes the clincher.  Jesus not only commanded them to spread the news.  Jesus is the one ordained by God who will judge us all.  Not only that, everything you know about the prophets—they all testify about him.  (vv. 42-43)
  • The rest of the story, not included here, is that Cornelius and his entire household believed in Jesus, and were baptized that day.  The Holy Spirit came, and caused them all to speak in tongues, just like those at Pentecost.

THE TAKEAWAY

No longer do the Jews have exclusive access to God’s love.  God sent Jesus to gather us all in, even Roman army officers.  He commands us to preach the Good News of Christ crucified for the forgiveness of sins. 


COLLOSIANS 3:1-4

THE BACKGROUND

 The small town of Colossae was located in present-day Turkey. The Christian church there were was the result of the work of Paul’s disciple Epaphras.  This area was known to be the center of some strange spiritual beliefs and cults.  The Jewish members of the area were also applying pressure to Christians to obey all the Laws of Moses.  It must have been hard to stay faithful to only Jesus in this environment.

THE DETAIL

  • In this passage, Paul begins by reminding his readers that they are “raised with Christ”, and that they are to “seek the things that are above”.  (v. 1)
  • The second line repeats Paul’s instruction to “set your minds on ‘things that are from above’”, rather than on earthly things.  (v. 2)
  • The reason for having this mindset is that we have died with Christ, and our life is now “hidden” in Jesus. (v. 3)
  • This verse offers the reassurance that when Jesus is “revealed” (when he comes again), that the believers will be involved the process.  (v. 4)

THE TAKEAWAY

 This is not the first time Paul has urged a church to have the same mindset as Jesus.  Last week’s epistle lesson from Philippians uses the same concept.  Paul urges this church to keep a sharp focus on heavenly thoughts of Jesus.  It makes sense.  They were surrounded by many weird spiritual beliefs (“earthly things”).  Paul reminds them that in their baptism, they died to their old lives.  We can find refuge in this fact, knowing that we can “hide ourselves” in living like Jesus. The final promise of this passage is that the story is not yet finished.  When Jesus returns, we will be a part of the action.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Day in and day out, our lives are chock full of distractions which can draw our focus away from living like God’s children.  How can we maintain our focus, and set our minds on things that are from above?   

 

MATTHEW 28:1-10

THE BACKGROUND

 The Gospel of Matthew contains a very brief account of the resurrection scene.  Interestingly, the first people to hear of the resurrection were not Jesus’ apostles, but two women of his followers.

THE DETAIL

  • For Jews, the Sabbath was Saturday.  So, these “two Marys” go to Jesus’ tomb on Sunday morning, the first day of the week. Matthew doesn’t tell us why they went, just that they went.  (v. 1)
  • This is where it gets weird.  There is an earthquake.  That alone should get their attention.  But then an angel appears, rolls the heavy stone away, and uses it for a chair.  His appearance is difficult to describe—his appearance is “like” lightening (more on this below), and his clothing is dazzling white, (vv. 2-3)
  • The guards do some convulsions and pass out!  (v. 4)
  • The angel calms down the women, and announces that Jesus is gone.  (Was he gone before the stone was rolled away?)   He invites them to see for themselves.  (vv. 5-6)
  • He next instructs them to go quickly and tell the others that he has been raised from the dead, and will meet them back in Galilee. They hurry of “in great fear and joy” to tell the others.  (vv. 7-8)
  • Then, suddenly, bam!  Jesus is there, and greets them.  They fall down and grasp his feet.  He repeats the angel’s instructions, saying that he will meet all of them back in Galilee. (v. 9-10)

THE TAKEAWAY

The appearance of the angel is an indescribable thing.  I know this, because of the use of the metaphor.  Matthew said that his appearance was “like lightening”.  When you’re trying to describe the indescribable, you use familiar terms.  What just happened was an indescribable event.  Earthquakes!  Angels! Jesus’ appearance!  But wait!  There’s more! The work is not finished.  They are to regroup in Galilee, where Jesus will meet them.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

It appeared that Jesus entire mission had been shut down by the authorities.  Their beloved Jesus had been crucified.  The Sadducees and Pharisees certainly hoped that this would be the case.  They got rid of that trouble-maker once and for all.  But wait!  Jesus is alive!  The sealed tomb cannot contain him.  There is more work to be done.

What work does Jesus have planned for you?  Where will you find him, and how will you learn what you’re to do?