More of the Story: The Days After

During her sermon on Easter Sunday, Pastor Janelle Krais told us how the resurrection event was the middle of the story. For the remainder of Easter, we'll look at the beginning of the latter part of the story - a story that remains unfinished!

After his suffering, (Jesus) presented himself to (the disciples) and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to themover a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But 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.” ~ Acts 1:3-6

Liberty may be endangered by the abuse of liberty, but also by the abuse of power. ~ James Madison
What possibly could have been bigger than the resurrection for the disciples?

Using the resurrection for political gain and power apparently.

They did seem to catch on that the resurrection wasn't the end of the story, but they saw it as something that was going to lead to the culmination of Israel returning to its former glory.

That the cross and the defeat of death meant power on earth.

What made them think that?

Why would the living Christ be different than the man Jesus who walked with them before his death and taught that the kingdom of God was one where even the poor, the lame, and the outcasts were brought in.

Where he healed and sent them out to serve with no purse or earthly possession.

Where political gain was never the point.

Even after his death and resurrection, the disciples at first still saw their witness as one of restoring the fortunes of Israel.

 They still didn't get it.

 And we often don't either.

 It's easy to see the Resurrection as a culmination of everything we relate to as power on earth. It is still something that is used as a way to wield that power in some Christian circles.

 But Jesus was never about earthly power. And there was no reason that the Risen Christ would be either.

 There is no reason to think that is what God is after with Resurrection.

 That the power of God is not the kind of earthly power that can be easily abused and used to put down the very people God has invited into the Kingdom.

 The disciples didn't get it yet, but Jesus promised that they would.

Prayer: God of power and love, help me to not be tempted to see your power as one that is earthly and easily abused, but instead help me to see your power in service and in love. Amen.




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