4th Sunday of Easter
Scripture: Acts
2:42–47
The Third Sunday of Easter is also known as Good Shepherd
Sunday. The readings focus our attention on hearing Jesus’ (the Good Shepherd’s)
voice and following him because he laid down his life to save us and has risen
as proof that our salvation is won. In Acts 2, the great conversion of
Pentecost had just taken place, and it describes the early believers devoting
themselves to, “the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of
bread and the prayers.” It is through the apostles’ teaching that the people
heard the Shepherd’s voice as they taught what Jesus had taught them. The same
is true for us when we hear the apostles’ teaching in the Scriptures. We hear
Jesus voice, follow him, and are saved by him.
Teaching
The early believers in Jerusalem saw their faith in Jesus as
the continuation and fulfillment of the prophecies of the Scriptures. As such,
they didn’t feel they had broken from Jewish traditions and they continued to
gather at the Temple. It was there that the apostles’ were preaching and
teaching, and in this way Jesus’ words were heard by the people along with the
Word of God in what we call the Old Testament. They heard the Shepherd’s voice
standing on its own, but also in and through the Scriptures that had foretold
his coming.
There is some debate about what Luke, the author Acts, is referring
to when he says that the believers devoted themselves to the fellowship. Some
believe that this phrase refers to the Lord’s Supper which is therefore
mentioned twice in the fellowship and in the breaking of the bread. Others,
like myself, feel that it refers to the commitment to the shared life of
believers as the body of Christ in the Church. This idea is supported by the
behaviors of generosity and care shown in the rest of the text. We are all part
of Jesus’ flock, following where are Shepherd leads us and fed on the same
divine food, so we have love and concern for one another.
Life
In the church today it can be argued that the level of
devotion to hearing God’s Word, gathering as Christ’s body, receiving the Lord’s
Supper, and praying has diminished because the regularity of worship attendance
has diminished. Whether or not this is a correct conclusion, we all do well to
consider our habits and the impact of God’s Word on our choices when it comes
to our attitudes and practice of gathering for worship.
It is easy to get wrapped up in the radical life described
here and miss its cause. In many ways we could stand to be better imitators of
these early believers! However, we should not be motivated by guilt to do so.
These people did what they did because of Jesus’ salvation. Live in the freedom
of Jesus’ forgiveness and be shaped by the joy of his salvation!
Prayer
O God, the early Christians led radical lives that were
formed by your Word, fellowship, Holy Communion, and prayer. Thank you for
their devotion and example. Forgive us for falling short of their devotion.
Shape us with your Word, fellowship, Communion, and prayer to be a witness in our
time, so many may be added to those who are saved by Jesus. Amen.
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