5th Sunday of Easter
Scripture: Acts
6:1–9; 7:2a, 51–60
This reading takes place in the early days of the church. It
was a time of rapid growth and was accompanied with the problems that go with
growth. In this case, the trouble begins with a ministry for widows in which
some felt that they were being overlooked. The church appointed deacons to see
to the care of those who were in need while allowing the Apostles to focus on
proclaiming the Word. By the end of the reading one of the deacons, Stephen,
was killed for proclaiming the Gospel. There are multiple messages to draw from
this reading: the need for human care in the church, the centrality of
proclaiming God’s Word in our mission, and the experience of opposition and
persecution for those who believe in Jesus.
Teaching
There is great need in this world. We see it everywhere,
including the church. God’s people are called to care for one another and help others.
This is an important part of the life of a congregation. Yet there is a danger
in this, too. When responding to the earthly needs of people becomes the
primary focus of the church, we might neglect prayer and the ministry of the
Word. This reading is clear, we must not sacrifice prayer and preaching, yet we
also must not neglect the needy in our midst. This not an either/or situation.
It is both/and.
The first martyr of the Christian faith is made known in
this reading: Stephen. We should notice that he was appointed with others to
see to the daily distribution of food for the widows, yet he also was active in
proclaiming God’s Word. It is often through human care ministries that the
church finds itself connected to people and situated to share the good news of
Jesus’ salvation with the world. Stephen shines as an example of that kind of
ministry, even as his death serves as an example of faith to the end.
Life
Stop and consider how helping someone in their time of need
might also be a time to encourage them in the faith. How might it be an
opportunity to share the Gospel? We must keep straight in our heads that we
help people purely out of love for God and for our neighbor. Nevertheless, love
for God and our neighbor also leads us to speak of the hope we have in Jesus to
encourage a sister in Christ, or to draw a new brother into the faith.
What made Stephen able to be so forgiving even in the face
of pain and death? We must conclude that it was Jesus’ forgiveness in his life;
a forgiveness that was similarly shown when he prayed for those who crucified
him asking that they be forgiven. What about you? When might you have the
opportunity to reflect Jesus’ radical forgiveness in the face of trials,
suffering, or sorrow? Pray for God’s help to do so!
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