Lord of New Life
Commentary
In this season of new life, we are always reminded that Jesus as Lord found in the Christian scriptures is not what the populace had anticipated. The traditional Jewish community, as well many gentiles, were expecting some form of a political or military messiah, Lord and deliverer. Jesus did come as God in the flesh (John 1:14). His lordship was that of new life which was unanticipated. Each of the texts today address one dimension of what it means to worship a Lord of new life.
Acts 9:36-43
This text dovetails immediately after the healing of the disciple Aeneas. The text is an account of Peter healing Tabitha in Joppa [prosperous port City controlled by the Romans since 6 A.D (CE)]. It could be an insertion by a later editor. This does not minimize the literary point Luke wishes to meek that Peter is subverting the power order of the day by bringing new life where there is bondage (Willimon, 84)
Tabitha, whose name means “Dorcas,” is dead with widows lamenting her passing away. Peter took her to the upper room, put all of the mourners out of the room and prayed. He then turned to the body and said, “Tabitha rise.” She opened her eyes and sat up. Peter presented her to the saints and widows that were there. The text says, “…and many believed in the Lord.” This is why the text is during the Easter season of new life in the Lord. It is new life for Tabitha!
Assuming Luke Acts is written by a second generation Christian whose writing style is similar to a skilled physician of the day, this text like the gospel acts as a “theodicy (God’s justice).” The Parousia has yet to arrive, and the first generation of disciples’ has died. Acts assures readers that God is good for God’s promises in working through salvation history. Furthermore, God keeps his word since the days of the Hebrew Bible. Therefore, this particular healing event mirrors that of Elijah (I Kings 17:17-24) and Elisha (2 Kings 4:32-35. Luke’s point is that Peter and the disciples have the same healing and life giving power from the Spirit that the prophets Elijah and Elisha possessed in their times.
How does healing occur today, might be one direction to preach on this text? Is the church called to be an advocate for equal health care? Is health care a right or a privilege for those whose finances can access it? Also, are there ways of healing people’s mental anguish through listening, being present in forms of caring ministry.
Tying the prophets Elijah and Elisha to the works of Peter and disciples has possibilities in that both are subverting the power structures of their times through healing, which points to new life. [Sources: Haenchen, Ernst, The Acts of the Apostles: A Commentary, Philadelphia, PA: Westminster Press, 1971); Johnson Luke Timothy, Prophetic Jesus, Prophetic Church: The Challenge of Luke-Acts to Contemporary Christians, Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Erdman’s, 2011); Willimon, William, Interpretation, A Commentary for Teaching and Preaching: Acts, Atlanta, GA: John Knox Press, 1988)]
Alternative Application
Tabitha had an ongoing active ministry that would be sorely missed upon her death. It could have been toward those grieving widows as well as almsgiving. Is Acts pointing to the use of women in doing public church ministry here? Luke seems to be chronicling the progress of women’s ministry in the church as they respond to the gospel in these times after the death of the first generation of apostles. This follows one theme of Luke Acts of subverting the powers of the times, that being the patriarchal structures [Source: Witherington, Ben, The Acts of the Apostles: A Socio Rhetorical Commentary, Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Erdmann’s, 1998)].
Revelation 7:9-17
Though the calendar shows that Easter Sunday of new life arrived a few weeks ago, this may not be the reality of many people of faith in the pews of the church. A parent still might have their adult child living in the basement with a hefty college loan debt to pay off soon. Another family member experiences the slow, grinding wheels of the court system making incremental moves in a painful, nasty divorce case. Possibly, the other party is filing for more delays and reviews in hopes of wearing the family member out. Other families have ongoing medical tests, and await the results. While other people in the church are informed that expensive dental work is the best solution for their child’s dental problems. The insurance will at best pay for only half of the procedure. Such bad news does not feel like “new life” or Easter!
Revelation is a book intended to comfort all of the saints who experience difficult times. This particular text refers to faithful Christians who have endured hardship, tribulation and persecution. However, the hardships spoken of here need not only be that of political persecution. The difficulties could be inclusive and numerous in nature, such as those mentioned above. The bottom line is to remain faithful to the Lamb, who is Jesus Christ.
The same“Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 9:17). One preaching path to explore is to identify any ongoing concern a church leader sees in the congregation which keeps people awake at night. This text offers assurance that one day that particular problem will disappear and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
Contra to populist television evangelistic narratives, Revelation is intended to be a book of comfort and hope for any person of faith who is enduring long term struggles and trials which do not seem go away any time soon. We may not be able to escape such trials, but they define what a life if faith if the crucified and risen Messiah is all about. This Apocalyptic book of Revelation has been used historically in the church when wicked empires or political leaders terrorize their citizens. It is a reminder that the Lamb Jesus Christ who suffers alongside the underdogs of any age will succeed as the ultimate victor and ruler on the throne.
While the clouds of darkness surround people as they may be bracing for more difficult events in either the form of manmade or natural disasters, people of who faith who endure. They will have their bloody robes washed in the Lamb as Jesus did on the cross, and finally wear new white ones while standing in front of the throne of.
A subtopic here might be to explore which false objects of faith are people tempted to explore during times of hardship and never ending darkness. This could be in any form of drugs, alcoholism, concupiscence in any form or immediate gratification or materialism of running up one’s credit card account. All of these false objects lead a person down the path of destruction alongside the beast the harlot of Babylon.
Jesus is new Lord of life even for those who are not living any semblance of the Easter message of resurrection. This is the major theme of this text. It is good news in a bad news situation. The bad news is that while times are bad now. The good news is the crucified and risen Christ the Lamb wins. A children’s sermon might to be get a thriller novel and turn to the last page and remind the people of faith that “God wins….we read the last page.” [Sources: Krodel, Gerhard A., Augsburg Commentary on the New Testament: Revelation, (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress Press, 1989); Resseguie, James L., The Revelation of John: A Narrative Commentary, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2009)].
Alternative Application
“After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands” Revelation 9:9. The Palm Sunday event praised Jesus to be the “King” (Luke 19:38). John 12:12-19, identifies him as the “King of Israel.” What if Palm Sunday was located in the middle of Lent or difficult times? Could one still celebrate the Kingship of Jesus with palms when darkness surrounds them in terms of their problems, sickness and obstacles appear to be never ending?
John 10:22-30
This section climaxes the temple discourses of Jesus which began in John 7:1. It is one more final verbal encounter between Jesus and his opponents. The “Feast of Dedication” at Jerusalem (Hanukah)” was instituted around 165 B.C. (BCE) in October when the family of Judas Maccabeus rededicated the Temple after defeating the Seleucid Antiochus Epiphanies IV. This is recorded in recorded in 1 Maccabeus 4:9ff. It is significant because this is a reminder of a military revolt against oppressors of Israel (some could redefine this to be the Son of Man in Daniel 7:13 to be the next military deliverer). Jesus reframes his definition of Messiah as both a shepherd and living in a unique (pre-existent) relationship with God the Father (John 1:1-14). This encounter with the Jewish leaders could also allude to Jesus being the new temple in his incarnation since he is God in the flesh (John 1:1-14).
The request in asking if Jesus is the Christ, by the Jews is an honest inquiry. While his response to them seems evasive, he has already affirmed the relationship he has with God elsewhere in the gospel. In John 5:43 Jesus says, “I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; if another comes in his own name, you will accept him.” Also, he states in John 6:51-52, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’”
Also, it is suggested that Jesus’ mighty deeds should have already impressed any audience. They can only be done by Jesus because of his special relationship with God the Father. He would later be accused on blasphemy for this response (John 10:33). The text points to Jesus’ unity with the Father. It is contested as to how close to interpret this final verse of, “I and the Father are one” as a Trinity or Christology text in future creedal debates. However, the thrust of the text for practical purposes is that Jesus reframes the Jewish leaders’ assumption about a Christ or Messiah in the form of a Shepherd who cares for his sheep.
In the Easter season when people may or may not be experiencing new life, believers can rest assured with a three point sermon of: 1) receiving eternal life, 2) they will not perish and 3) nobody will ever snatch them out of the Christ’s hand. (John 10:28). In times when many employees may fear being fired, this Christ will not “throw his sheep under the bus.” Believers are secure in the Father’s love. This suggests some level of security in one’s relationship with God the Father and Son, and later Advocate (John 20:22).
To go elsewhere in John 10:10, the will of God is for Christians they have life and have it abundantly. This includes a quantity (length) and quality (complete fulfillment) sort of life. For John, Jesus’ view of Scripture (Hebrew Bible, Old Testament) is the proper one once properly read and understood (Smith, 213). He is indeed the Christ, as he and the Father are one. [Sources: Word Biblical Commentary: John, Waco, TX. Word Publishers, 1987); Kysar, Robert, Augsburg Commentary on the New Testament: John, Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress, 1986); Smith, D. Moody, Abingdon New Testament Commentaries: John, Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, John, 1999)].
Application
Are people really interested in our religious beliefs about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit—or is it a waste of time to begin the whole “faith talk discussion?” In the seven weeks of Easter, even if working people could have the entire seven weeks off for the holiday, how long would they honor its true meaning and faith symbols? John’s view of Jesus is an occasional reminder that technology, secular apathy toward faith matters and ultimately the finality of life may occasionally keep people asking questions like the Jewish leaders at the Temple. For John, Jesus is God in the flesh. New life is found in his word (sacrament, if this be your church tradition). One need not fear reports of unfortunate accidents on the highways, air disasters or any form of storm, volcanic eruption or earthquake if their faith is in this Christ. None of the above will snatch people of faith from the Father’s hand.
Alternative application
The Dedication in the Feast of Hanukkah celebrates a military victory for the people of faith. Historically Flavius Josephus records in “Jewish War,” that King Herod would eventually succeed this dynasty of Israel’s Maccabeus family. Would we as Christians desire another military battle to prove that our Lord is the true God? Would a military victory be more convincing than the unconditional love of the “Shepherd?” Do we really want a God who will come down and “kick butt and take names” anytime soon? [Josephus, Flavius, The Jewish War, (New York NY: Penguin Books, 1967)].
Acts 9:36-43
This text dovetails immediately after the healing of the disciple Aeneas. The text is an account of Peter healing Tabitha in Joppa [prosperous port City controlled by the Romans since 6 A.D (CE)]. It could be an insertion by a later editor. This does not minimize the literary point Luke wishes to meek that Peter is subverting the power order of the day by bringing new life where there is bondage (Willimon, 84)
Tabitha, whose name means “Dorcas,” is dead with widows lamenting her passing away. Peter took her to the upper room, put all of the mourners out of the room and prayed. He then turned to the body and said, “Tabitha rise.” She opened her eyes and sat up. Peter presented her to the saints and widows that were there. The text says, “…and many believed in the Lord.” This is why the text is during the Easter season of new life in the Lord. It is new life for Tabitha!
Assuming Luke Acts is written by a second generation Christian whose writing style is similar to a skilled physician of the day, this text like the gospel acts as a “theodicy (God’s justice).” The Parousia has yet to arrive, and the first generation of disciples’ has died. Acts assures readers that God is good for God’s promises in working through salvation history. Furthermore, God keeps his word since the days of the Hebrew Bible. Therefore, this particular healing event mirrors that of Elijah (I Kings 17:17-24) and Elisha (2 Kings 4:32-35. Luke’s point is that Peter and the disciples have the same healing and life giving power from the Spirit that the prophets Elijah and Elisha possessed in their times.
How does healing occur today, might be one direction to preach on this text? Is the church called to be an advocate for equal health care? Is health care a right or a privilege for those whose finances can access it? Also, are there ways of healing people’s mental anguish through listening, being present in forms of caring ministry.
Tying the prophets Elijah and Elisha to the works of Peter and disciples has possibilities in that both are subverting the power structures of their times through healing, which points to new life. [Sources: Haenchen, Ernst, The Acts of the Apostles: A Commentary, Philadelphia, PA: Westminster Press, 1971); Johnson Luke Timothy, Prophetic Jesus, Prophetic Church: The Challenge of Luke-Acts to Contemporary Christians, Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Erdman’s, 2011); Willimon, William, Interpretation, A Commentary for Teaching and Preaching: Acts, Atlanta, GA: John Knox Press, 1988)]
Alternative Application
Tabitha had an ongoing active ministry that would be sorely missed upon her death. It could have been toward those grieving widows as well as almsgiving. Is Acts pointing to the use of women in doing public church ministry here? Luke seems to be chronicling the progress of women’s ministry in the church as they respond to the gospel in these times after the death of the first generation of apostles. This follows one theme of Luke Acts of subverting the powers of the times, that being the patriarchal structures [Source: Witherington, Ben, The Acts of the Apostles: A Socio Rhetorical Commentary, Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Erdmann’s, 1998)].
Revelation 7:9-17
Though the calendar shows that Easter Sunday of new life arrived a few weeks ago, this may not be the reality of many people of faith in the pews of the church. A parent still might have their adult child living in the basement with a hefty college loan debt to pay off soon. Another family member experiences the slow, grinding wheels of the court system making incremental moves in a painful, nasty divorce case. Possibly, the other party is filing for more delays and reviews in hopes of wearing the family member out. Other families have ongoing medical tests, and await the results. While other people in the church are informed that expensive dental work is the best solution for their child’s dental problems. The insurance will at best pay for only half of the procedure. Such bad news does not feel like “new life” or Easter!
Revelation is a book intended to comfort all of the saints who experience difficult times. This particular text refers to faithful Christians who have endured hardship, tribulation and persecution. However, the hardships spoken of here need not only be that of political persecution. The difficulties could be inclusive and numerous in nature, such as those mentioned above. The bottom line is to remain faithful to the Lamb, who is Jesus Christ.
The same“Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 9:17). One preaching path to explore is to identify any ongoing concern a church leader sees in the congregation which keeps people awake at night. This text offers assurance that one day that particular problem will disappear and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
Contra to populist television evangelistic narratives, Revelation is intended to be a book of comfort and hope for any person of faith who is enduring long term struggles and trials which do not seem go away any time soon. We may not be able to escape such trials, but they define what a life if faith if the crucified and risen Messiah is all about. This Apocalyptic book of Revelation has been used historically in the church when wicked empires or political leaders terrorize their citizens. It is a reminder that the Lamb Jesus Christ who suffers alongside the underdogs of any age will succeed as the ultimate victor and ruler on the throne.
While the clouds of darkness surround people as they may be bracing for more difficult events in either the form of manmade or natural disasters, people of who faith who endure. They will have their bloody robes washed in the Lamb as Jesus did on the cross, and finally wear new white ones while standing in front of the throne of.
A subtopic here might be to explore which false objects of faith are people tempted to explore during times of hardship and never ending darkness. This could be in any form of drugs, alcoholism, concupiscence in any form or immediate gratification or materialism of running up one’s credit card account. All of these false objects lead a person down the path of destruction alongside the beast the harlot of Babylon.
Jesus is new Lord of life even for those who are not living any semblance of the Easter message of resurrection. This is the major theme of this text. It is good news in a bad news situation. The bad news is that while times are bad now. The good news is the crucified and risen Christ the Lamb wins. A children’s sermon might to be get a thriller novel and turn to the last page and remind the people of faith that “God wins….we read the last page.” [Sources: Krodel, Gerhard A., Augsburg Commentary on the New Testament: Revelation, (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress Press, 1989); Resseguie, James L., The Revelation of John: A Narrative Commentary, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2009)].
Alternative Application
“After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands” Revelation 9:9. The Palm Sunday event praised Jesus to be the “King” (Luke 19:38). John 12:12-19, identifies him as the “King of Israel.” What if Palm Sunday was located in the middle of Lent or difficult times? Could one still celebrate the Kingship of Jesus with palms when darkness surrounds them in terms of their problems, sickness and obstacles appear to be never ending?
John 10:22-30
This section climaxes the temple discourses of Jesus which began in John 7:1. It is one more final verbal encounter between Jesus and his opponents. The “Feast of Dedication” at Jerusalem (Hanukah)” was instituted around 165 B.C. (BCE) in October when the family of Judas Maccabeus rededicated the Temple after defeating the Seleucid Antiochus Epiphanies IV. This is recorded in recorded in 1 Maccabeus 4:9ff. It is significant because this is a reminder of a military revolt against oppressors of Israel (some could redefine this to be the Son of Man in Daniel 7:13 to be the next military deliverer). Jesus reframes his definition of Messiah as both a shepherd and living in a unique (pre-existent) relationship with God the Father (John 1:1-14). This encounter with the Jewish leaders could also allude to Jesus being the new temple in his incarnation since he is God in the flesh (John 1:1-14).
The request in asking if Jesus is the Christ, by the Jews is an honest inquiry. While his response to them seems evasive, he has already affirmed the relationship he has with God elsewhere in the gospel. In John 5:43 Jesus says, “I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; if another comes in his own name, you will accept him.” Also, he states in John 6:51-52, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’”
Also, it is suggested that Jesus’ mighty deeds should have already impressed any audience. They can only be done by Jesus because of his special relationship with God the Father. He would later be accused on blasphemy for this response (John 10:33). The text points to Jesus’ unity with the Father. It is contested as to how close to interpret this final verse of, “I and the Father are one” as a Trinity or Christology text in future creedal debates. However, the thrust of the text for practical purposes is that Jesus reframes the Jewish leaders’ assumption about a Christ or Messiah in the form of a Shepherd who cares for his sheep.
In the Easter season when people may or may not be experiencing new life, believers can rest assured with a three point sermon of: 1) receiving eternal life, 2) they will not perish and 3) nobody will ever snatch them out of the Christ’s hand. (John 10:28). In times when many employees may fear being fired, this Christ will not “throw his sheep under the bus.” Believers are secure in the Father’s love. This suggests some level of security in one’s relationship with God the Father and Son, and later Advocate (John 20:22).
To go elsewhere in John 10:10, the will of God is for Christians they have life and have it abundantly. This includes a quantity (length) and quality (complete fulfillment) sort of life. For John, Jesus’ view of Scripture (Hebrew Bible, Old Testament) is the proper one once properly read and understood (Smith, 213). He is indeed the Christ, as he and the Father are one. [Sources: Word Biblical Commentary: John, Waco, TX. Word Publishers, 1987); Kysar, Robert, Augsburg Commentary on the New Testament: John, Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress, 1986); Smith, D. Moody, Abingdon New Testament Commentaries: John, Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, John, 1999)].
Application
Are people really interested in our religious beliefs about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit—or is it a waste of time to begin the whole “faith talk discussion?” In the seven weeks of Easter, even if working people could have the entire seven weeks off for the holiday, how long would they honor its true meaning and faith symbols? John’s view of Jesus is an occasional reminder that technology, secular apathy toward faith matters and ultimately the finality of life may occasionally keep people asking questions like the Jewish leaders at the Temple. For John, Jesus is God in the flesh. New life is found in his word (sacrament, if this be your church tradition). One need not fear reports of unfortunate accidents on the highways, air disasters or any form of storm, volcanic eruption or earthquake if their faith is in this Christ. None of the above will snatch people of faith from the Father’s hand.
Alternative application
The Dedication in the Feast of Hanukkah celebrates a military victory for the people of faith. Historically Flavius Josephus records in “Jewish War,” that King Herod would eventually succeed this dynasty of Israel’s Maccabeus family. Would we as Christians desire another military battle to prove that our Lord is the true God? Would a military victory be more convincing than the unconditional love of the “Shepherd?” Do we really want a God who will come down and “kick butt and take names” anytime soon? [Josephus, Flavius, The Jewish War, (New York NY: Penguin Books, 1967)].
