April 30, 2019

Embodying the Resurrection

John Frederick | Read Acts of the Apostles 9:16-20

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Verse 16 of our reading reiterates the idea of embodied evangelism, the suffering to which God is calling Paul for the sake of the gospel. God calls Paul to a cruciform ministry, a ministry formed by the way of the cross, the way of the self-giving, suffering love of Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the root, source, and summit of the ministry of suffering, divine love. (See Acts 3:18; 17:3.) This embodied evangelism is found throughout the New Testament. Peter exhorts believers to endure suffering by emulating the example of the cruciform love of Jesus. (See 1 Peter 2:19-23; 3:14-18; 4:1.) Paul teaches that believers are granted to believe and to suffer for the sake of Christ (see Philippians 1:29; 2 Corinthians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Timothy 1:12), and that through our suffering we are joined together in solidarity and communion as the church. (See 1 Corinthians 12:26.)

Our suffering in service to the gospel is not for a sadistic God who might seem to have a divine propensity toward pain and punishment. Rather, it is a sanctifying suffering that conforms us to the image of the holy God who is, in Triune essence, suffering love. Let us consider the extent to which we are willing to live out the suffering love of Jesus Christ in our own lives. Do we rightly perceive our own suffering as an embodiment of the love of Christ that transforms ourselves and others? Or, do we seek to avoid the sanctification that comes through suffering?

Almighty God, we pray that you conform us to your image by teaching us to learn divine love through living out the suffering love of Christ for the sake of others. Amen.

Pray the Scriptures Using Audio Lectio
Read John 21:1-19

John 21:1-19

¹ Later, Jesus himself appeared again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. This is how it happened: ² Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two other disciples were together. ³ Simon Peter told them, “I’m going fishing.” They said, “We’ll go with you.” They set out in a boat, but throughout the night they caught nothing. ⁴ Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples didn’t realize it was Jesus. ⁵ Jesus called to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” ⁶ He said, “Cast your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” So they did, and there were so many fish that they couldn’t haul in the net. ⁷ Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around himself (for he was naked) and jumped into the water. ⁸ The other disciples followed in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they weren’t far from shore, only about one hundred yards. ⁹ When they landed, they saw a fire there, with fish on it, and some bread. ¹⁰ Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you’ve just caught.” ¹¹ Simon Peter got up and pulled the net to shore. It was full of large fish, one hundred fifty-three of them. Yet the net hadn’t torn, even with so many fish. ¹² Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples could bring themselves to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. ¹³ Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. ¹⁴ This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. ¹⁵ When they finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” ¹⁶ Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Simon replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Take care of my sheep.” ¹⁷ He asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was sad that Jesus asked him a third time, “Do you love me?” He replied, “Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. ¹⁸ I assure you that when you were younger you tied your own belt and walked around wherever you wanted. When you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and another will tie your belt and lead you where you don’t want to go.” ¹⁹ He said this to show the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. After saying this, Jesus said to Peter, “Follow me.”

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Lectionary Week

April 29—May 5, 2019

Scripture Overview

Saul is one of the primary obstacles to the early spread of Christianity. The death and resurrection of Jesus does not fit his paradigm for the Messiah, so it cannot be true. It takes a miraculous intervention by Christ himself to change his mind. Psalm 30 reminds us that the light will always chase the darkness. We experience true suffering and true loss, but God can turn our mourning into dancing in God’s own timing. In Revelation, John takes us to the throne room of God, where angels and creatures proclaim the glory of the Lamb of God who has defeated death and reigns forever. Returning to the Gospel of John, we read more about Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances, which here include a seaside breakfast and a quiz for Peter.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Acts 9:1-20. Jesus’ resurrection calls us to an embodied faith. How do you bear the gospel?
Read Psalm 30. Recall a specific time when you depended on God.
Read Revelation 5:11-14. Have you ever worshiped the Lamb with your whole body? What keeps you from falling down to worship God?
Read John 21:1-19. The author reminds us that Jesus calls us to be shepherds and sheep. Which role do you most often fill? How can you take on a new leadership role or allow others to lead you?

Respond by posting a prayer.

Embodying the Resurrection

The Wisdom of the Body

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Embodying the Resurrection

Acts of the Apostles 9:16-20

John 21:1-19

The Wisdom of the Body

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