For
a group of guys who didn't get it in the Gospels the disciples got going pretty
quickly in the book of Acts. With a sound like the rushing of the wind and
tongues of flames on their heads and languages not their own they were
transformed from confused followers into bold witnesses who rejoiced that they
were considered worthy of persecution. How do we enter such a text given that
the message which caused such a stir has settled down to become the status quo?
It may be that Gamaliel’s advice, ignore them and they’ll go away, accomplished
what the Pharisees desired. The church becomes irrelevant to the culture when
it is indistinguishable from it. I’m not nostalgic for the days when the Gospel
attracted persecution but I would like to rejoice in being worthy of attention. If we tell
the truth the journey of the last four days was mostly about us, the
respectable church goers, and for many of our neighbors and co-workers and
friends and even family it was just another weekend. If Monday happens right on
schedule and holy week like Christmas is carefully wrapped and put back on the
shelf until next year it will be just another, albeit it busy weekend for us
well. But if we were to do something worthy of attention today, speak and act
as those who have something worth living and saying, then like disciples we
would rejoice in being followers who take the lead.
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