Thursday, June 11

THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015

1 Kings 8:1–66

Acts 7:53–8:13

Psalm 129: 1–8

Proverbs 17:1

 

 

In Acts 1:8, Jesus explained that “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  The disciples might have wondered how the Gospel would indeed spread beyond Jerusalem – and in such a short time!  Would the “you” hear refer to the disciples specifically – or to those that would follow after them?

 

In today’s reading, we see the coming together of two threads that would power the spread of the Gospel into Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.  The persecution of the early Church drove the apostles to new mission fields:  “On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.” (Acts 8:1)  The spread of the Gospel would therefore rely not just on the apostles and the good deposit planted within them, but also on other early disciples.  These early disciples would not be able to rely on their leadership as a substitute for their own involvement.

 

And these early disciples did indeed step up:  “Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.   Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there.” (Acts 8:4,5)  If you recall from our reading of the Gospels, half-Israelite folks lived in Samaria, having intermarried with surrounding peoples and intertwined the faith of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob with those featuring other deities.  The Jews of Jesus’s day looked upon the Samaritans with scorn, but Jesus had embraced them, even speaking with a woman at a well (John 4).  Jesus offered Himself as “living water” for Jews and Samaritans alike.  Now, Philip, himself likely a Hellenic (Greek) Jew, became an evangelist to the people of Samaria.

 

Philip’s ministry included signs and wonders that brought refreshment to the Samaritans:  “When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said.  For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.  So there was great joy in that city.” (Acts 8:6–8)   It appears that Philip had studied Peter’s sermon from Acts 3:19,20:  “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.”  God’s presence in Samaria brought healing and life.

 

From a human perspective, the persecution that the Church endured might have appeared as a great hindrance to their mission – and certainly to their comfort and safety.  As with the Gospel itself, God’s plans may appear as “foolishness” in human eyes, but we may trust that these plans come from God’s wisdom.  The Cross itself appears as “foolishness”:  “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God….  For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” (1 Corinthians 1:18,25)  The Jewish leadership saw the Cross as adequate to crush the rebellious crowd of those claiming Jesus as Messiah.  Instead, the Cross brought forgiveness for all who would seek it, and the testimony of the Risen Christ brought instant validity to Jesus’s claims as Messiah.

 

How will we view the hindrances we face in life?  Might God be using these stumbling blocks as opportunities for His glory?  Where do your detours lead you?  May we seek God’s wisdom in these re-directions, trusting Him to provide direction and opportunities to serve Him.

 

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for the Cross.  We embrace the foolishness of the Cross, knowing that it is indeed the wisdom and power of God.  Help us to learn from the example of Philip and the other early disciples, who did not shrink back when pushed out of their hometown by persecution.  Thank You for allowing the Gospel to spread even to us.  Thank You for giving courage and faith to these early disciples.  We do not understand what a day may bring forth, so we trust You to guide us into all truth and wisdom by the Holy Spirit.  Allow us to honor You with our lives and to share the glorious news of Your life, death, and Resurrection to those ready to hear.  In Your Name, we pray.  Amen.

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