Lectionary for 7/5/08

Today's readings are Joshua 23.1-16 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Josh.+23.1-16 ) and Acts 12.1-25 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Acts+12.1-25 ).

 

I hope we will consider ourselves in light of the beginning of Acts 12.  Notice the three groups of people in the first five verses, three groups of people who portray all of humanity in microcosm. 

 

First we have Herod, in a position of power and wishing to please people.  He does what people-pleasers will do - whatever seems to please people.  It is in his power to persecute James and Peter or it is in his power to nurture them and care for them.  What do most people around him seem to like?  That's what he does.  Herod, in his position of power, was known as a dictator who would use cruelty to accomplish political advancement and popularity for himself.  That's exactly what he aimed at with James, who was annoying to him.  Finding that his execution of James pleased the people, he proceeded to put Peter in prison, no doubt with a similar goal.  How often do we act in a way that will please people, not because we are personally involved in the situation but because we want to please people and get something out of it?  There's nothing wrong with doing things that will please others.  We are to love our neighbor as ourself.  Loving our neighbor often ends up pleasing the neighbor, whether it is by going ahead and sweeping the snow off the neighbor's steps or by cleaning up after our dog.  But we love our neighbor not to earn that neighbor's praise, but to reflect the love of God and to provide what the neighbor needs.

 

Our second group of people are the oppressed, James and Peter.  Are we in positions where others take advantage of us?  Are we in positions where we are vulnerable to attack?  How much more we should realize that our Lord and Savior allowed others to take advantage of him, that he made himself vulnerable to attack, and that he endured a shameful, defiling death on our account.  If Jesus so allowed himself to be mistreated while showing his care for the world, how much more should we endure hardship for the sake of Christ?

 

The third group of people are the saints raising prayers for Peter.  The encouragers are often neglected.  Are there people we can pray for?  Are there people we can support and love, even if they themselves will never know our support in this life?  Are there times when we can show kindness in the name of Christ?  Let us pursue this saintly ministry wholeheartedly.  It is at the very heart and center of Christian ministry, as we do the work of Christ by loving and serving those who are unable to love or serve us back.