Acts 11

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Jason

Reading for Friday, April 20: Acts 11

Acts 11 begins with Peter’s recap of the Cornelius story. It’s worth noting that Luke spends an awful lot of time here on this story, devoting a lot of ink and energy in its careful telling and retelling. In the pre-typewriter / printing press day, this is no small detail. Luke wants to drive home the point that all of this has always been pointing toward the Kingdom doors being thrown open for Gentiles. As a Gentile author, Luke is naturally going to make his case thoroughly.

I love Peter’s reasoning: “If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” As he’s being pressed by the religious types for not toeing the party line (note their criticism of him in v2), Peter basically puts all of this back on God. He’s saying, “Look, you guys can figure out the theology of this later if you want to. All I know is, I was there and God gave ’em the Spirit and if God’s up to something here, I want to be on His side.” And who can argue with this? “And they glorified God, saying, ‘Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.’ (v18)”

I love the latter part of this chapter, too. In Antioch, the believers were first called Christians (v26). I find it interesting that they weren’t called Christians in Jerusalem. But then again, that’s not surprising; Jerusalem was always a bit too preoccupied with politics and religious fads and spiritual watch-dogging. It seems the folks of Antioch especially embodied the Way of Jesus, so much so that other people began calling them by His name. What a concept! Can you imagine what it would be like if people just stopped calling you by your own name and instead just started calling you, “Christ follower.” “Jesus lover.”

One such follower is Barnabas, a man of faith and the Holy Spirit. Barnabas — whose name means son of encouragement — retrieves a character we left a few chapters ago, Saul. He picks him up off the scrap heap and gets to work knocking the rust off. He partners with him, starts teaching with him. This partnership prompts Luke’s note about the disciples being called Christian. It’s not a stretch to say that Barnabas’ character reminds them of the person of Christ – the one who goes to great lengths to retrieve us, helps knock the rust of sin off of our souls, and sets us to work — Kingdom work. Perhaps that’s a good template for Christ-followers today, too.

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Acts 10: Scandalous Acceptance

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Jason

Reading for Thursday, April 19: Acts 10

This is another chapter that I LOVE: Cornelius’ conversion. Rather than write 500-600 words about it (like I normally do!), I want to hear from you. The major theme of this chapter, demonstrated by salvation coming to the Gentiles, seems to be the dissolving of the old clean / unclean distinctions from the old law.

Peter is called to scandalous acceptance: to receive these new Gentiles as full partners in the Gospel.

How do you think this plays out today? In this story, who are the modern day Peters? And who are the Cornelius’? I have my own thoughts, but I want to hear from you.

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Acts 9

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Jason

Reading for Wednesday, April 18: Acts 9

I love this chapter. It’s Paul’s conversion story and judging by the number of times he preaches it in Acts, it’s one that never slips too far from his mind. Paul seems to realize that what happened to him on the road to Damascus transformed his life and that’s the story he constantly wants to tell.

So I thought maybe we’d do something a little different today. I’d like to ask you to share your conversion story. How did you come to Jesus? I know it’s late tonight when I’m posting this, but maybe this is a thread we can come back to several times over the course of the next day. I’d love to hear your stories, because I believe each one of us has a Gospel story to tell — whether it’s a dramatic 180 degree shift like Saul or if it’s more “ordinary” like some of us who grew up in church all our lives.

Whatever the case is, feel free to share your Jesus story. I’d love to hear them. I’ll share mine in the comments section tomorrow.

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Acts 8

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Jason

Reading for Tuesday, April 17: Acts 8

V1 – “And Saul approved of his execution.”

Of all the testimonies in the scriptures about the power of God to reverse fortunes and set people on new trajectories, none stands out quite like Saul. Our first introduction to Saul is as a villain — persecutor of Christians, ravaging the church (v3), entering into their homes with murder on his mind. Saul comes to us as a predator, bloodthirsty with righteous indignation. And yet, as we will soon see, one encounter with Jesus is enough to transform him into a radical ambassador for the cause of Christ, willing to risk his reputation, his religious standing, even his very life for the One he calls Lord.

The drama shifts to a new player: Philip. We’ve already been introduced to Philip in ch6. He emerges as one of the men chosen to distribute food, a man full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom (6.3). But we find him here assuming even more responsibility. He sets out to take the Gospel to another people group: the Samaritans, the racially mixed group despised by most pious Jews. Philip’s ministry is accompanied by signs and wonders and many respond in faith. Peter and John visit these new believers and the Spirit falls upon them, confirming their status as citizens in the Kingdom and co-heirs with Christ.

But we also see the age-old human dilemma crop up again. Just as Cain was jealous of Abel’s favor with God, Simon longs for the same mighty demonstration of God’s power to flow through him. I don’t think this is necessarily sinful; we should all want to do great things in the name of Jesus. But Simon’s actions are a little shady; he offers the disciples money, soliciting his wealth in exchange for a more prominent role. Simon’s battle is an interior one, the old Simon waging war with his new identity in Christ. As the text tells us, Simon had always declared his own greatness (8.9-10) and these old habits die hard sometimes. But another Simon — Simon Peter, the fisherman transformed by God’s grace — confronts this self-serving impulse head on. He calls Simon the sorcerer to repentance, to abandon the old self and embrace the new. This is the same struggle we’re faced with today. Thankfully, the scene closes with Simon’s acceptance of Peter’s word. We’re reminded that greatness is for the Lord to dispense per His prerogative. Faithfulness is the role we’re called to play. I like to think Simon lived out the rest of his days in simple faithfulness, perhaps even quietly, learning that his identity was not bound up in signs and wonders, but instead in the identity of His Savior.

The final episode of this awesome chapter is one of my favorites. Philip is called to a desert place (8.26) to encourage a desert of a man: an Ethiopian eunuch. The scene is well-rehearsed for many of us. The eunuch is reading from Isaiah and he lacks understanding. Philip helps him interpret what he’s reading in light of the person of Christ. He responds in faith, putting Jesus on in baptism before Philip is whisked away, presumably to another setting to preach the Good News to yet another outsider, expanding the borders of God’s Kingdom.

Personally, I think Philip would’ve known his Bible well enough to encourage the eunuch to keep reading in Isaiah. For immediately after the language of the suffering servant in Isaiah 53, God tells us of the power of this servant’s sacrifice, of His work to reverse our fortunes and bring new life into dry places. Like baptismal waters emerging from a desert landscape, the power of God brings life and vitality into the wilderness of the human heart. So I think Philip would’ve directed the eunuch to Isa 56, where the Lord makes these promises:

“Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say ‘The Lord will surely separate me from his people’; and let not the eunuch say, ‘Behold, I am a dry tree.’ For thus says the Lord: ‘To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant, I will give in my house and within my walls a monument and a name better than sons or daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off.” (Isa. 56.3-5).

This God-fearing eunuch would have been barred from the temple courts. Because of his physical condition, he could only approach God from a distance. But the Good News ushers him into a new reality, a relationship with God predicated on faith not on flesh. And he is promised that which has never been possible for him: a heritage, a lineage, participation in a family name that supersedes sons or daughters, an eternal identity that is never cut off.

This is the Good News.

For zealots.

For Samaritans.

For sorcerers.

For eunuchs.

For you.

For me.

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Acts 7

Posted on April 15, 2012 by Jason

Reading for Monday, April 16: Acts 7

The Stephen saga continues in this chapter. Most of the chapter is Stephen’s sermon, the longest discourse recorded in Acts. His address functions as selective OT History. To rebut his accusers — who have claimed that Stephen opposes the law of Moses, the OT customs, and the presence of the Temple — Stephen argues from the life of Father Abraham. God was at work in the land long before the Temple even existed, Stephen says (v5), making promises of inheritance to Abraham. These promises are fulfilled through Isaac and Jacob, culminating in the twelve tribes. But the story pivots at their exile in Egypt during the life of Joseph.

Stephen transitions into the story of Moses, educated at the hand of the Egyptians (v22), which would’ve been the best education in the world at the time. I was really struck by verses 24&25 (no pun intended): “And seeing one of them being wronged, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian. He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand.” It seems that in his younger days, Moses actually dreamed of liberating his people from Egyptian bondage. Surely his education helped him concoct elaborate schemes and movements to bring about this result. In the end, a moment of rage wins out over logic and Moses pummels an Egyptian, putting him at odds with the empire. Thinking this might be his time to strike, we can picture Moses trying to rally the people. But they did not understand. Maybe Moses was still a little too “upper crust” for the common Israelite. Maybe they were distrustful of his education. I’m not sure I’d follow a guy who grew up in Pharaoh’s palace either. Whatever the case, Moses assumed his people would be able to recognize this as a God-given opportunity for salvation. But this is not the case. Moses, now a refuge, flees to the mountain country of Midian, presumably to marry and raise his children.

But God has other plans for him…

In HIS timing, God raises up Moses for precisely the job he wanted earlier. What’s changed? A lot. 40 years for one thing. Moses isn’t quite the young man he used to be, full of spit and vigor. By the time God is ready for him, our well-educated “hero” is an 80-year-old shepherd, the modern day equivalent of a Princeton Ph.D. bagging your groceries.

But the connection to Moses is enlightening, for Stephen stands as the latest in a long line of God’s prophets to be rejected by their own. The crowd, frenzied by Stephen’s comments, move forward to stone him for his message.

Three things stand out about the final verses of this chapter.

  1. Stephen looks into heaven and sees “the glory of God” (v55). We’re not entirely sure what this might be, but we can imagine Stephen beholding something of the beautiful nature of God.
  2. Stephen sees Jesus standing at the right hand of God (v55). Much has been made of Jesus standing, rather than sitting, in this scene. The image of the standing Christ implies a readiness for action. The Lord does not sit idly by, watching while His people suffer. He stands ready to act. And one day, He will. (Romans 12.19)
  3. Stephen prays for his killers. As they murder him, Stephen turns again to the Father, this time praying for forgiveness, reminiscent of the prayer of Jesus as He was being nailed to the cross.
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Acts 6

Posted on April 15, 2012 by Jason

Reading for Friday, April 13: Acts 6

Well, folks, this is two days late, but better late than later, right? I apologize for being behind a bit. We’re closing on our house on Friday and I also have a major project due that day, so my comments will likely be short and sweet on these chapters this week. But I know you all will carry the load in fine fashion, as you always do!

One of the things that strikes me about Acts 6 is that conflict arises, even with apostolic leadership. As the number of disciples increases, “a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution,” (v1). Our notions of “perfect leaders” are dispelled, but these men reveal one of the marks of good leadership: delegation. Just as Moses had to learn to hand off responsibility to other capable men (Exodus 18), so too do these disciples turn over the work of food distribution to others.

I love v7: “And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.” First point: the number of believers MULTIPLIED. That’s exponential growth. Most of the time, we’re pleased with addition; but the early church enjoys an incredibly bountiful harvest. Second point: I love the picture Luke paints for us of some of the priests. Gradually, as the disciples continue to explain the Scriptures to them, they begin to grasp what has happened. In Jesus, God has offered an ultimate sacrifice, rendering the old system null and void. I see these men taking up their roles as priests of the new covenant, joining the universal priesthood of believers that Peter will preach about (1 Pet. 2.9).

The chapter closes with Stephen in conflict with the synagogue of the Freedmen. These men claim that Stephen has blasphemed, “…for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us,” (v14). Stephen represents a threat to their power, their grip on the people. The chapter break is an unfortunate one, ending with angel-faced Stephen standing before a bloodthirsty crowd.

Does that sound familiar?

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Acts 5

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Jason

Reading for Thursday, April 12: Acts 5

Acts 5 gives us an unvarnished scene of deception in the life of the early church. Ananias and Sapphira are condemned for their lie, but what stands out is the authority Peter demonstrates: questioning these two, holding them accountable, almost remorseless as he decrees their punishment. This authoritative position is reinforced with the next story: even his shadow is possesses the healing presence of the Spirit (v15).

We’re treated to another showdown with the religious ruling class. Just as the tomb could not hold Jesus, prison bars are impotent to hold His followers (v20). I love what the angel tells them in this verse: “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” And preaching this Jesus-Life is bold work, as we discussed yesterday. But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men,” (v29). Here we see the ruling powers feeling threatened, realizing their lack of power over these disciples and — moreover — their Master. They’re left with nothing but sideshow tricks: they have the disciples beaten and they warn them not to speak any more about Jesus. But we’re all in on the action and we know that’s not going to happen. And there’s nothing these priests and rulers can do to put a stop to it.

Here are a few takeaways from this chapter:

  • An affront to the church body is considered an affront to God. When Ananias and Sapphira lie to the church, Peter equates this to lying to the Lord (v4). The connection between the church and the body of Christ is strong in Luke / Acts.
  • Peter’s shadow — His very presence among the people is ministry. May the same be said of us.

 

  • Opposition. There will always be forces opposed to Kingdom work. It’s been said that if we aren’t facing persecution, perhaps we’re too closely aligned with the world.

 

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Acts 4

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Jason

Reading for Wednesday, April 11: Acts 4

Boldness is the theme of this chapter. Peter boldly declares that this miraculous healing has occurred through the name of Jesus (v10). But he takes this proclamation even further: And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved,” (v12). We might underestimate the boldness of such a statement. But in the face of the very men who crucified Jesus, Peter is unflinching in his resolve to preach the Risen Savior. Even when the council attempts to muzzle them, Peter again says “we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard,” (v20). This is the power of the empty tomb, emboldening us to proclamation, no matter the consequence.

We find the rest of the disciples praying, but this is bold action as well. Prayer is not passive work; it is perhaps our most active posture. “And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness…” (v29). And when they finish, the Spirit boldly replies, shaking the building with His presence.

The chapter closes with another summary statement. The disciples are of the same mind and heart, sharing their lives and their possessions, contributing to the needs of others. “And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all,” (v33). And we’re introduced to a bold, grace-filled character: Barnabas, who will shape the course of the church’s history in a profound way through his encouragement of one of her early persecutors.

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MLB Preview: NL Central

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Jason

I’ll admit that it’s hard to think objectively here. As you all well know, I’m a Cards homer through and through. And while I thought long and hard about picking Cincinnati to win the division, I just can’t seem to pick against this Cardinal club. Not after last September; not after October. Not even after losing Pujols to free agency, TLR to retirement and Chris Carpenter to a mysterious neck / nerve injury. You can accuse me of thinking with my heart here, but I really think the Cardinals could be one of the NL’s best again this season, even without #5.

1st place: St. Louis Cardinals

Last year, I picked the Cards to finish 3rd in the division after Adam Wainwright’s season ending injury in spring training. Truth be told, Carp’s injury is probably residually related to Waino; in the wake of Adam’s injury, Carpenter threw an NL-leading number of innings, postseason included. All indications are that Wainwright is back and this club will need him in a big way. But the rest of the staff — Jaime Garcia, Kyle Lohse, Jake Westbrook and fill-in Lance Lynn — is solid and the bullpen is filled with power arms in Jason Motte, Fernando Salas, Eduardo Sanchez and Scrabble. The lineup boasts great balance with three switch-hitters (Rafael Furcal, Lance Berkman, and Pujols’ replacement, Carlos Beltran). Matt Holliday is still a force in the middle of the order and David Freese seems primed to ride last season’s postseason heroics into a full season of excellence. Carpenter probably won’t pitch until the second half, but the Cards are also in the Roy Oswalt sweepstakes if they need him. One note: this is a fairly brittle bunch of players. In Waino, Carp, Furcal, Beltran, Berkman, and Freese you have a core of oft-injured contributors. But if healthy, they’ll be there. If not…

2nd place: Cincinnati Reds

When they added Mat Latos to the rotation and Ryan Madson and Sean Marshall to their bullpen this offseason, I shuddered. But then I remembered how terrible Dusty Baker is at managing a pitching staff, and my fears dissipated. (Snarky, snarky.) Seriously, this team will be a force this year. Latos and Cueto give them a nice 1-2 punch and the bullpen is still tremendous, Madson’s injury notwithstanding. For some reason, they continue to think of Aroldis Chapman as a reliever, which is fine by me. He’s been electric this spring. Offensively, Joey Votto anchors a veteran lineup that blends Jay Bruce’s raw power with Drew Stubbs’ blinding speed. They have less health risks than St. Louis, so they could easily win the division. But I’m picking them to come up just short this year.

3rd place: Milwaukee Brewers

Having Ryan Braun for the full season puts the Brew Crew back in the conversation. Sure, they’ll miss Prince, but Aramis Ramirez is a nice consolation prize. In Zack Greinke and Yovani Gallardo, the Brewers have two dominant aces and John Axford is a lights out closer. But you have to wonder how the PED controversy will affect Braun. Will the lingering questions, the constant boos have any impact on his game? Time will tell. Keep your eye on Matt Gamel this season. I watched him tear up AA pitching a few summers ago when he was here in Huntsville (batting cleanup behind Matt LaPorta). He has the minor league pedigree, but it’s never translated into major league production. If he puts it all together, he can help compensate for Fielder’s loss.

4th place: Pittsburgh Pirates

Now we reach the clear-cut second tier in this division. Any of the top three could win the division and any of these next three could be the worst team in the league. I rank Pittsburgh here for one reason: neither the Cubs nor the ‘Stros have a player on their roster with the all-around ability of Andrew McCutchen. But the rest of the lineup is lightweight. The rotation is filled with high-upside guys like Erik Bedard (a K/9 force when healthy) and A.J. Burnett (who still has the “stuff” to dominate on occasion). And the ‘pen isn’t bad; Joel Hanrahan and Evan Meek can be pretty solid. Until Pedro Alvarez, Alex Presley, Brad Lincoln and Gerrit Cole put it all together, though, this team struggles to contend in a tough division.

5th place: Chicago Cubs

Here’s the good news: you brought in Theo Epstein, architect of the recent iterations of the Bandwagon Boston Red Sox. Oh, and Starlin Castro is pretty good. Now the bad news: everything else. Theo is blowing this thing up and who could blame him. But if they’re going to deal some of these albatross contracts (most notably, Alfonso Soriano), they’re going to have to absorb some serious payroll, which will hamper their rebuilding. In Ryan Dempster and Matt Garza, the Cubbies have the makings of a so-so rotation, but after that it’s grim. Carlos Marmol is a headcase (with $17 million left on his contract). And Kerry Wood is still hanging around, for whatever that’s worth. This team will be very bad for several years. And nothing could make this Cards fan any happier.

6th place: Houston Astros

I simply can’t figure out why they’d take one of their few tradeable commodities (starting pitcher Brett Myers) and convert him to closer. With this lineup and rotation, there’s not going to be much to save. Bud Norris is nice. So is Wandy. But where are the runs coming from? Carlos Lee? Please. Brian Bogusevic? See my point. The only bad part about this for me is that after this year we can’t perpetually beat up on the Astros as a division foe. Enjoy the AL West, fellas.

All Division Team

C Yadier Molina

1B Joey Votto

2B Brandon Phillips

SS Starlin Castro

3B Aramis Ramirez

LF Ryan Braun

CF Andrew McCutchen

RF Carlos Beltran

SP Zack Greinke

SP Mat Latos

SP Adam Wainwright

SP Yovani Gallardo

SP Johnny Cueto

RP John Axford

Manager Dusty Baker, I guess. Although I’ll take my chances with Mike Matheny.

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Acts 3

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Jason

Reading for Tuesday, April 10: Acts 3

After the wide-angle lens of 2.42-47, Luke shifts to an episode rife with particularity: two disciples (Peter and John) in a specific location (the Beautiful Gate) sharing Jesus with one individual in need (a man lame from birth).

Peter and John continue the practice of regular prayer, modeled in the life of Jesus and perpetuated by Jewish custom. The fact that Peter and John continue to go to the temple to pray indicates that they did not understand following Jesus as a clean break from their past. As many others have stated, Jesus did not come to create a “new” religion; instead, His disciples understand Jesus as the continuation of God’s covenantal faithfulness to His people. He is the fulfillment of Law and Prophecy. They continue to go to the temple for prayer, armed now with a new, deeper understanding of God’s faithfulness. But Jesus has not called them to wholesale abandonment of their religious traditions.

As they journey, they come upon a lame man petitioning them for alms. “And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said ‘Look at us,'” (v4). Peter and John are the antithesis of the Luke 10 characters — the priest and the Levite who are too preoccupied with “pious things” to give attention to the injured man. John and Peter are exemplars of God’s Kingdom, adherents to an economy that values people over piety. Their commitment to the orthodox hour of prayer is subjugated to the explicit need in front of them.

God’s Kingdom economy is one of generosity: “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” (v6). And the name of Jesus is powerful once again to reverse fortunes: the man stands…but Luke says he leaps with “feet and ankles…made strong” (v7). And all who witness this are filled with wonder and amazement.

Peter, never one to miss an opportunity in the spotlight, addresses the crowd with an even more powerful testimony: “Repent, therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus…God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness,” (v19-20, 26). The miraculous healing of this lame man provides occasion for Peter to proclaim Jesus and the penitent life He wills for us.

The gates to the Kingdom are beautiful indeed, adorned not with “silver and gold” — of which Peter has none (v6) — but with mercy and compassion and new life.

And this is Good News, indeed.

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