Scripture: Acts 1:12-26
Summary: The disciples return to Jerusalem and gather Jesus' followers together. Peter tells them that they need to replace Judas, who betrayed Jesus and then killed himself. Two men are proposed, Joseph and Matthias. They cast lots and Matthias is chosen.
Thoughts: I heard someone speak about Matthias the other day (sorry, I don't remember who or I would give them credit!). I searched through my on-line Bible, and discovered that what the speaker said is true, Matthias is never mentioned in the Bible again after he is chosen. So it makes me wonder, why did the writer of Acts feel that it was necessary to tell us that the disciples chose someone new to replace Judas, but never tell us what this person did? When I read the Bible, I often wonder why the writer chose to include something. In this case, I wonder what is the significance of making sure that there are 12 disciples. Why did they chose one more person to be a disciple? Why not let both men be disciples? Wouldn't it be better to have more? Having just been Commissioned as a Deacon in the United Methodist Church, I understand that it is important to recognize those that God is calling to ministry. It gives us authority to do the work that God is calling us to. I'm afraid though, that what gets lost in all of this is that each of us has a call from God. Just because I work in a church doing ministry, doesn't make my work any more important than the work that others do. Even though you are not the one "chosen" to be the twelvth disciple, your ministry is valuable. God is still calling you. What is God calling YOU to do?
Prayer: Help me to follow in the footsteps of the original disciples, who were following in the footsteps of Christ. Speak to me, God, and show me the way you would have me go. Amen.
Showing posts with label disciples. Show all posts
Showing posts with label disciples. Show all posts
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Acts 1:1-5 - Waiting for the promise of God
Scripture: Acts 1:1-5
Summary: The book of Acts is a continuation of the book of Luke. After his death and resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples, speaking about the kingdom of God. He told them to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the promise of God, when they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
Thoughts: It's time to move into the book of Acts and study it. Acts is the story of the early church and there is much here for us to learn 2000 years later. In this scripture the disciples are told by the resurrected Jesus that they should stay in Jerusalem and wait for what God has promised them. When I read this I wonder what the disciples must have been feeling. They are ecstatic that Jesus has risen from the dead and they have all personally seen the risen Lord. How amazing this must have been! But now he has told them to wait where they are, in Jerusalem. I imagine that they didn't feel very safe there. After all, this is the city where the crowd turned against Jesus and crucified him. They are probably wondering if the same thing is going to happen to them. And they know that Jesus is gone. They can't count on him for protection. But still they are supposed to wait. Waiting is the hardest thing for me to do: waiting in the hospital to talk to the doctors, waiting to get your test scores after you take the SAT, waiting 9 months when you are pregnant before you have the baby. But just as it is important to wait 9 months for a baby, so that it will be fully developed, it was important for the disciples to learn to wait for what God had promised them, through Jesus. We just had Senior Sunday at my church last Sunday. As I watched these amazing young people lead both of our worship services, I was struck by what that morning represented. They are finishing their 13th year of school and have done alot of waiting. But now they have brand new opportunities in front of them, full of promise and hope for the future. It is good for us to know how to wait patiently. But when the time comes it is good to know how to act. What are you waiting for? How is the promise of God going to change your life?
Prayer: God of promise, please stay beside me as I wait and help me to act in faith when the time comes to act. Amen.
Summary: The book of Acts is a continuation of the book of Luke. After his death and resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples, speaking about the kingdom of God. He told them to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the promise of God, when they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
Thoughts: It's time to move into the book of Acts and study it. Acts is the story of the early church and there is much here for us to learn 2000 years later. In this scripture the disciples are told by the resurrected Jesus that they should stay in Jerusalem and wait for what God has promised them. When I read this I wonder what the disciples must have been feeling. They are ecstatic that Jesus has risen from the dead and they have all personally seen the risen Lord. How amazing this must have been! But now he has told them to wait where they are, in Jerusalem. I imagine that they didn't feel very safe there. After all, this is the city where the crowd turned against Jesus and crucified him. They are probably wondering if the same thing is going to happen to them. And they know that Jesus is gone. They can't count on him for protection. But still they are supposed to wait. Waiting is the hardest thing for me to do: waiting in the hospital to talk to the doctors, waiting to get your test scores after you take the SAT, waiting 9 months when you are pregnant before you have the baby. But just as it is important to wait 9 months for a baby, so that it will be fully developed, it was important for the disciples to learn to wait for what God had promised them, through Jesus. We just had Senior Sunday at my church last Sunday. As I watched these amazing young people lead both of our worship services, I was struck by what that morning represented. They are finishing their 13th year of school and have done alot of waiting. But now they have brand new opportunities in front of them, full of promise and hope for the future. It is good for us to know how to wait patiently. But when the time comes it is good to know how to act. What are you waiting for? How is the promise of God going to change your life?
Prayer: God of promise, please stay beside me as I wait and help me to act in faith when the time comes to act. Amen.
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