Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on Wed, 18/04/2012 – 11:00
Year B (2011-2012)
Bible Book: Acts / Handelinge
Chapter: 3
Verse: 12-19
When I first read the different texts for this Sunday, I was struck by the thread running through the different readings.
In Luke we read about an incident in the 40 days between Easter and Pentecost. The Bible tells us of a number of incidents where the Risen Jesus appeared to people. In all of these cases, people react with shock or fear. In the NIV translation Luk 24:37 tells us “They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.” They were not expecting Jesus – they thought He was dead. They were people without hope, people without life.
Jesus came to them to share with them His gift of life. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? (Luk 24:38 NIV). He reminded them of the promises He made.
In Act 3:15 we see how Peter has come to understand something of this, when he says “You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead.”
Maybe this time of HIV feels to you like the time between Easter and Pentecost – a time without hope or life. A time when you feel that your dreams and aspirations have died. Maybe some other situation in your life makes you feel that there is no hope.
Our text reminds us who Jesus is – the Author of Life. How wonderful is it to be reminded that no matter what happens, even if we think our Hope has been killed, Jesus is and remains the “Author of Life” which God has raised from the dead.
And we can share in His gift of life! The promises Jesus made are as true today as when He made them to His followers in the time between Easter and Pentecost.
This means that I can also respond like David did in our reading from the Old Testament. In Psalm 4 we read of David’s despair. We read of a time where David also felt that God was not listening. In spite of His feelings, he could end this Psalm with an expression of trust – he could claim God’s promises: Psalm 4:8: “When I lie down, I go to sleep in peace; you alone, O LORD, keep me perfectly safe.”
To think about: Where in this time between Easter and Pentecost have you been reminded that Jesus is the author of life? How can you remind others of this truth?
Author: van Rooyen L (Ms)
Language: English