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Easter 4 - May 2, 2004
Acts 9: 36-43
Revelation 7:9-17
The reading in Acts introduces quite a different theme. There are some useful points to keep in mind when we are considering readings from Luke’s Gospel.
The story of Dorcas or Tabitha follows the Lukan pattern of pairing stories of male and female. Peter heals Aeneas in Acts 9:32-28 and closely following is the story of the raising of Tabitha though more detail is given in this story. The two stories portray Peter as a miracle worker in the line of Elijah, Elisha and Jesus to win converts to Christianity. Why miracles about restoring life? We don’t really know for we must all die some time and these stories are about resuscitation not resurrection as with Jesus.
Tabitha was obviously an important person in the Joppa Christian community. She is identified as a disciple. Acts 9:36 is the only time the feminine form of disciple (mathetria) is used anywhere in the New Testament. She was devoted to ‘good works’ and to ‘acts of charity’ – these words are not used to describe anyone else’s service in Acts. Tabitha is valued as a philanthropist. She spends her own money, not the church’s money, to care for widows. She cares for widows, presumably she is one herself.
When men take care of widows (Acts 6:4) Luke calls it ministry. When Tabitha performs the same Luke calls it service – why the difference?
Revelation 7:9-17
Again the passage is about worship in heaven but includes a different multitude.
See how inclusive it is. John sees God’s people from the perspective of heaven. Heaven and earth are not primarily locations. "Heaven" is the time and space where God’s rule is fully operative and honoured. "Earth" in this context is under the domination of evil powers. All inhabitants of the "Earth" are tempted to become worshippers of the ‘beast’.
In this vision in chapter 7 the great inclusive multitude are robed in white and waving palm branches and shouting the theme of Hosanna, cf Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and the Jewish festival of tabernacles when they remember the Exodus, their deliverance from slavery in Egypt and the songs of triumph that accompanied it.
The worship of heaven extends to earth but on earth God’s witnesses are involved in struggle and suffering. Their function is to worship and to witness to God’s truth and promises. The Emperor Domitian ruled from 81-96 CE (AD) . As Caesar he seemed to have complete control. People proclaimed him as saviour and absolute lord. Anxious thoughts arose among Christians. By all human standards Caesar and not Christ the Lamb had won the victory. Is the hope for a new heaven and a new earth just a wishful dream? All this is background to the cry, "Hosanna, salvation to God and to the Lamb". The hosts in heaven sing it with complete confidence. Here on earth we pray it as a plea, often with wavering faith and doubts and hesitations. Sevenfold praise v.12 is sung but a great multitude from every race, nation, tribe and language. In verse 17 we are introduced to the image of the shepherd Lamb, cf David, the shepherd King, who will lead all the peoples to the springs of the waters of eternal life and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. In the midst of images of suffering and persecution there is comfort. Some of these themes will be repeated in later chapters.
John 10:22-30
In these verses Jesus has the shepherd image but the picture of his sheep is not so inclusive. He speaks about the Jews who do not believe his credentials of deeds
done in God’s name as proof that he is the Messiah, the Promised one of God. Jesus appears to reject them and to speak of his own sheep listening to his voice and following him. He gives them eternal life. Why the inclusive picture in Revelation which does not make such distinctions?
These verses go on to the attempt by the Jews to stone Jesus for blasphemy. Stoning would be the Jews’ way of putting one they regard as a criminal to death. Here they do not carry it out. Yet later they persuade the Roman authorities to put him to death using their method, crucifixion.
When Jesus saw there were Jews picking up stones, Jesus said:
I’ve done these things in your midst
God sent me to do all of them!
So which one of my deeds makes you so angry that you want
to stone me to death.
In whatever I do, God and I do it together.
Jesus eluded them. It was not yet the right moment for the final confrontation.
PRAYER
Sometimes, O God, we are bored with our living. Nothing exciting is happening. It is the same old drudge, day after day. Wake us up to appreciate again life, our ordinary life, and to see in it new possibilities, new awareness of other people, new insights.
We pray, too, for those who are approaching death from incurable diseases. Help them, even with decreased senses to appreciate the love and care with which they are surrounded. Support their family and friends and help their understanding.
For those who have become lost in continuing grief wake them to see that life is good and there is a world to appreciate and new possibilities lie before them.
We pray for those who approach life only with pessimism and cannot see great or small achievements. Open their eyes and ears and grant them new perspectives.
We pray for those who see so many things in life negatively and those who are known for their destructive criticisms. We pray for a change of outlook and reaction.
We pray for those who always question people’s motives and see a dark side to all.