7th Sunday of Easter
Acts 1:6-14; Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35; 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11; John 17:1-11
“Father, the hour has come.” Jesus opening line in his final prayer to the disciples before his arrest is loaded with many things. Certainly, with a personal sense of dread in anticipation of what is to come. Jesus prays for the affirmation that all will be for God’s glory and for God’s people to recognize and acknowledge him, crucified and risen, as the path to a wholesome relationship with God (John 14:6). Nonetheless, Jesus also foresees that trials will come for those sent to proclaim his message after he departs. The hour has also come to them, and they will need all the love and empowerment the Triune God can muster.
In Acts, we are presented with Jesus’ ascension scene. The last thing the risen one says before being lifted is this: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8).” Bearing witness to Jesus’ way of life will not be for the faint of heart. Maybe the now apostles – for the training wheels are off, and they are officially sent – caught that drift and seemed dazed for a bit. A couple of heavenly messengers needed to snap them out of their trance (verses 10 – 11). They returned to Jerusalem and went to “the room upstairs” to pray.
Interestingly, Luke, the author of the book of Acts, names all the male apostles, Mary, the mother of Jesus, and a certain group of women, as the ones praying for discernment. It is a shame that the tradition of the time still did not allow for the complete naming of the women belonging to the group. Even with Luke breaking some new ground in that area, I would love to know their names, wouldn’t you?
The author of 1 Peter once more brings consolation to faith communities enduring unimaginable “fiery ordeals.” The evil forces of this world threw the kitchen sink plus everything they had at Christ. Students are not above their masters, so the same evil forces were throwing the kitchen sink plus everything they had at them for they were bearing faithful witness to Jesus, as instructed. The world hated the way of life Jesus proposed and then hated them for living such a life. Perhaps it still does. The assurance comes that is OK to land their anxieties at God (1 Peter 5:7). God can take it. Individually we can’t, but together in faith and love for one another, who knows?
“O God, when you went out before your people,
when you marched through the wilderness,
the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain
at the presence of God, the God of Sinai,
at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
Rain in abundance, O God, you showered abroad;
you restored your heritage when it languished;
your flock found a dwelling in it;
in your goodness, O God, you provided for the [afflicted].”
(Psalm 68:7–10; NRSV)
Bridging Faith 