The Goodness of God
Commentary
Historically the Third Sunday of Easter has been a Sunday to celebrate the Goodness of God. All the lessons give this testimony.
Acts 3:12-19
The First Lesson, drawn from the second half of an early history of the church attributed to Paul’s Gentile associate Luke, is part of the author’s version of Peter’s sermon at Solomon’s portico on the east side of the Jerusalem Temple following the healing of a lame man (vv.1-11). Peter begins by asking the crowd of Jews who had gathered after the healing why they seemed so excited as if he and John had performed the miracle (v.12). After referring to the God of Abraham and other patriarchs who have glorified Jesus His Servant, Peter blames the Jewish crowd for Jesus’ death. He is identified as holy and righteous, the author/founder of life, and his resurrection is proclaimed (vv.13-15). Peter then notes that the healing of the lame man happened by faith in Jesus’ Name (v.16). He next notes that the Jewish crowd acted in ignorance (as their rulers did) in Jesus’ death (v.17). For this way God is proclaimed as fulfilling the prophecy that his messiah/Christ would suffer (v.18). Reference is made here to Isaiah’s suffering servant (49:1-16; 50:4-11; 52:13 -- 35:12). A call is issued to repentance in order that sins might be wiped out (v.19).
Peter’s insistence that God is the one who heals, that salvation and the good that we have is God’s work, is an important theme for us today. It is just the opposite for most Americans. A 2016 LifeWay Research poll found that more than 3 out of 4 Americans (76%) agree with the claim that an individual must contribute his or her own effort for personal salvation. If instead the preacher wants to focus on the call to repentance, this theme needs attention, too. Again to the pollsters. Another LifeWay Research poll in 2017 found that 1 in 3 of us does not admit to being a sinner. And of the 67% who admit their sin, over half of them (34%) say that they are working on not sinning, with only 28% depending on Christ to overcome sin. It seems that we would rather solve our own problems than celebrate God’s goodness to us. A sermon or repentance is needed to put that delusion to rest.
1 John 3:1-7
The Second Lesson is part of a treatise or sermon by an unknown teacher of the Johannine tradition, probably aiming to clarify the proper interpretation of the Gospel of John. The book addresses disputes over Gnostic or Docetic doubts about whether Jesus was truly a human being and whether his death on the cross was a sacrifice for sin (1:1-3,7; 2:2; 3:2,10,16; 5:6). This lesson is a discussion of right conduct which must be associated with brotherly and sisterly relationships. It begins with an assertion of the profound love the Father has given the faithful in calling them his children. The world, it is said, does not know this because the world does not know Christ (v.1). The author notes that though God’s children, what we will be has not yet been revealed. But we do know that when God is revealed the faithful will be like him, for they will see him as he is (v.2). All with this hope in him purify themselves, just as God is pure (v.3). All who commit sin are guilty of lawlessness, it is stated (v.4). Christ was revealed to take away sins; in him there is no sin (v.5). No one who abides in him sins and everyone sinning does not know him (v.6). Readers are urged to let no one deceive them. Everyone who does righteousness is said to be righteous, just as God is righteous (v.7). It is helpful to keep in mind what Paul and the Hebraic heritage (and perhaps the Johannine tradition) mean by righteousness [dikaios]. Even in an Old Testament context, the concept of “righteousness” is not to imply that the believer lives in faultless conformity to some moral norm. It has to do with living in right relationship with God (Gerhard von Rad, Old Testament Theology, Vol.1, pp.370-371).
The lesson invites sermons on how we are saved by grace through faith. The concept of righteousness and the righteousness of God could be explained. At any rate, given the tendencies of Americans not to take seriously God’s role in saving us (see the LifeWay Research poll cited above), this is a timely word.
Luke 24:36b-48
The Gospel Lesson is drawn from the first half of the early history of the church attributed to Luke. This account of Jesus’ post-Easter resurrection appearances is unique to Luke’s gospel. The narrative begins with a report of the disciples in Jerusalem conversing about the story of Jesus’ appearance on the road to Emmaus (vv.13-16a). It is then reported that Jesus appeared to them with a peace greeting (v.36b). Such a greeting was conventional for Jews, but since it entails a hope for unity and concord in this context it may have been a sign of the Kingdom of God (2:14,29). The disciples are startled, and Jesus asks why they have been troubled/terrified or doubted news of his resurrection (vv.37,38). He invites them to see and touch his body (vv.39-40). Though joyful, the disciples remain disbelieving (v.41a). Jesus responds by eating fish in front of them (vv.41b-43). He reminds his followers of the works he spoke to them, that everything written in the Hebrew scriptures about him has been fulfilled (v.44). He opens their minds to understand these scriptures (v.45). It is written, Jesus claims, that the Messiah/Christ is to suffer and rise on the third day, that repentance and forgiveness are to be proclaimed to all (vvs.46-47; cf. Hosea 6:2). The disciples are said to be witnesses [martus] (v.48).
A 2014 CBS poll found that nearly half of us (44%, and 51% of women) spend some time thinking about our own death. Three in four of us believe that there will be a heaven or a hell.
And of those nearly 2 in 10 is uncertain about their fate. Obviously, then, the proclamation of resurrection is a word many of us need to hear -- one more reminder of the goodness of God. This point could be made in more detail by examining the Old Testament texts noted in or alluded to by the lesson as prophesying the Easter miracle. The theme of proclaiming repentance and forgiveness evident in the final verses of the lesson relates to themes and their relevance to our context noted above in the exegesis of the First and Second lessons respectively. Rely on those observations as well if sermons on this Gospel text are devoted to these themes.
Collectively the lessons help us celebrate the goodness of God, to the many good things he does for us.
Acts 3:12-19
The First Lesson, drawn from the second half of an early history of the church attributed to Paul’s Gentile associate Luke, is part of the author’s version of Peter’s sermon at Solomon’s portico on the east side of the Jerusalem Temple following the healing of a lame man (vv.1-11). Peter begins by asking the crowd of Jews who had gathered after the healing why they seemed so excited as if he and John had performed the miracle (v.12). After referring to the God of Abraham and other patriarchs who have glorified Jesus His Servant, Peter blames the Jewish crowd for Jesus’ death. He is identified as holy and righteous, the author/founder of life, and his resurrection is proclaimed (vv.13-15). Peter then notes that the healing of the lame man happened by faith in Jesus’ Name (v.16). He next notes that the Jewish crowd acted in ignorance (as their rulers did) in Jesus’ death (v.17). For this way God is proclaimed as fulfilling the prophecy that his messiah/Christ would suffer (v.18). Reference is made here to Isaiah’s suffering servant (49:1-16; 50:4-11; 52:13 -- 35:12). A call is issued to repentance in order that sins might be wiped out (v.19).
Peter’s insistence that God is the one who heals, that salvation and the good that we have is God’s work, is an important theme for us today. It is just the opposite for most Americans. A 2016 LifeWay Research poll found that more than 3 out of 4 Americans (76%) agree with the claim that an individual must contribute his or her own effort for personal salvation. If instead the preacher wants to focus on the call to repentance, this theme needs attention, too. Again to the pollsters. Another LifeWay Research poll in 2017 found that 1 in 3 of us does not admit to being a sinner. And of the 67% who admit their sin, over half of them (34%) say that they are working on not sinning, with only 28% depending on Christ to overcome sin. It seems that we would rather solve our own problems than celebrate God’s goodness to us. A sermon or repentance is needed to put that delusion to rest.
1 John 3:1-7
The Second Lesson is part of a treatise or sermon by an unknown teacher of the Johannine tradition, probably aiming to clarify the proper interpretation of the Gospel of John. The book addresses disputes over Gnostic or Docetic doubts about whether Jesus was truly a human being and whether his death on the cross was a sacrifice for sin (1:1-3,7; 2:2; 3:2,10,16; 5:6). This lesson is a discussion of right conduct which must be associated with brotherly and sisterly relationships. It begins with an assertion of the profound love the Father has given the faithful in calling them his children. The world, it is said, does not know this because the world does not know Christ (v.1). The author notes that though God’s children, what we will be has not yet been revealed. But we do know that when God is revealed the faithful will be like him, for they will see him as he is (v.2). All with this hope in him purify themselves, just as God is pure (v.3). All who commit sin are guilty of lawlessness, it is stated (v.4). Christ was revealed to take away sins; in him there is no sin (v.5). No one who abides in him sins and everyone sinning does not know him (v.6). Readers are urged to let no one deceive them. Everyone who does righteousness is said to be righteous, just as God is righteous (v.7). It is helpful to keep in mind what Paul and the Hebraic heritage (and perhaps the Johannine tradition) mean by righteousness [dikaios]. Even in an Old Testament context, the concept of “righteousness” is not to imply that the believer lives in faultless conformity to some moral norm. It has to do with living in right relationship with God (Gerhard von Rad, Old Testament Theology, Vol.1, pp.370-371).
The lesson invites sermons on how we are saved by grace through faith. The concept of righteousness and the righteousness of God could be explained. At any rate, given the tendencies of Americans not to take seriously God’s role in saving us (see the LifeWay Research poll cited above), this is a timely word.
Luke 24:36b-48
The Gospel Lesson is drawn from the first half of the early history of the church attributed to Luke. This account of Jesus’ post-Easter resurrection appearances is unique to Luke’s gospel. The narrative begins with a report of the disciples in Jerusalem conversing about the story of Jesus’ appearance on the road to Emmaus (vv.13-16a). It is then reported that Jesus appeared to them with a peace greeting (v.36b). Such a greeting was conventional for Jews, but since it entails a hope for unity and concord in this context it may have been a sign of the Kingdom of God (2:14,29). The disciples are startled, and Jesus asks why they have been troubled/terrified or doubted news of his resurrection (vv.37,38). He invites them to see and touch his body (vv.39-40). Though joyful, the disciples remain disbelieving (v.41a). Jesus responds by eating fish in front of them (vv.41b-43). He reminds his followers of the works he spoke to them, that everything written in the Hebrew scriptures about him has been fulfilled (v.44). He opens their minds to understand these scriptures (v.45). It is written, Jesus claims, that the Messiah/Christ is to suffer and rise on the third day, that repentance and forgiveness are to be proclaimed to all (vvs.46-47; cf. Hosea 6:2). The disciples are said to be witnesses [martus] (v.48).
A 2014 CBS poll found that nearly half of us (44%, and 51% of women) spend some time thinking about our own death. Three in four of us believe that there will be a heaven or a hell.
And of those nearly 2 in 10 is uncertain about their fate. Obviously, then, the proclamation of resurrection is a word many of us need to hear -- one more reminder of the goodness of God. This point could be made in more detail by examining the Old Testament texts noted in or alluded to by the lesson as prophesying the Easter miracle. The theme of proclaiming repentance and forgiveness evident in the final verses of the lesson relates to themes and their relevance to our context noted above in the exegesis of the First and Second lessons respectively. Rely on those observations as well if sermons on this Gospel text are devoted to these themes.
Collectively the lessons help us celebrate the goodness of God, to the many good things he does for us.
