Weekly Devotion

When talking with a friend about her impact on this world I heard God’s rich wisdom in nearly every aspect of her life. She’s emphatically humble. How’s that for an oxymoron? She’s also devoutly Christian. Growing up in a Catholic household, she was exposed to God at a very early age and embraced him from the beginning. “I always felt His presence,” she admitted. “My first Communion in second grade was an overwhelming experience for me. I felt so blessed and valued,” she continued. She said that it was something you did and that maybe she didn’t understand the full significance of it at the time.

I read a passage from 2 Corinthians 4 this morning that reminded me of a close friend who has just finished a horrific multi-year struggle. The connection was so strong and visible to me that I asked her if it would be OK to share her story.

In the movie, A Few Good Men, there is a climactic scene between Jack Nicholson, a rough salty colonel and Tom Cruise, a rookie military lawyer. Nicholson’s character, (Colonel Jessep) is being questioned for covering up a conspiracy which included the abuse of a younger soldier. Tom Cruise (Lt. Kaffee) pressed Jessep for the truth. Jessep responded with, “You can’t handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has walls…” A much more drastic example of this attitude will play out in Acts between Stephen, the first Christian martyr, and the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council.

There are times when we need to make decisions about who we should listen to. Who we should obey. When we obey people or things, we should beware of the traps that come with the brief satisfaction and temporary glory they provide. In the book of Acts, the apostles faced imprisonment, torture, and execution from the Pharisees and Sadducees. They didn’t turn to violence.

In some ways, ancient Jerusalem during the Roman era wasn’t too different from our current world. It was largely an orderly society with a variety of different people, cultures, views and beliefs. Both pluralistic societies claim diversity and tolerance, but under Roman rule all citizens were also required to follow the rule of “Kaiser Kurios” (Caesar is Lord). In today’s society, Christianity is often viewed as being exclusive and narrow because of the primary belief that there is salvation in no one else. “Kristus Kurios” (Christ is Lord).

Whenever we think we’re in good shape, someone gives us a wakeup call. When we think we’ve worked hard enough, been good enough, or served enough, we’re reminded that it’s not our efforts that count. It’s not our opinion of ourselves that count. In Acts 3, the Gospel writer Luke tells us the miracle of the lame beggar. The message in this story shows us what does count. He highlights a dramatic spiritual turning in the lame beggar, in the crowd gathered at the temple, and in us.

With fragile emotions and hyper-sensitivity to the election, our President, racism, Covid-19, and a multitude of other issues, the rioting at our Capital building became yet another tipping point. Acts 2 reminded me of a similar display of shameful behavior but with an offer of hope for unity and (eternal) love.

The first four books of the New Testament contain the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Imagine skipping from John, the last Gospel, to Paul’s letter to the Romans? Nothing after the Gospels would have any context. We wouldn’t have any concept of the early church, we wouldn’t even know the importance or significance of this guy named Paul who wrote so many letters to the early churches. We wouldn’t know how the gospel spread from Jerusalem to Rome? These questions are answered in Acts.

While my wife, daughter, Cedar her border collie, and me were going for a sunset paddle tonight, we were engaged in a lively discussion about gift giving. We had received some gifts from friends who we didn’t have gifts for this year. It was partially a timing thing, partially a Covid thing, and partially just being forgetful. Awkward. Our nature is to follow up by going out and getting them something, but gift giving shouldn’t be about obligation or payback.

One Christmas Eve many years ago, my sister and I drove about 30 miles to attend a friend’s church instead of our home church. Neither one of us actively worshipped at the church we grew up in as children. For that matter, neither one of us actively worshipped anywhere except maybe on Christmas and Easter. I don’t recall why we decided to drive all that way on Christmas Eve, but I will never forget the divine experience from that night’s service.