Monday 25 April 2011

Background

Today's passage comes several weeks after the events of Easter,but the message of Easter is still very fresh. People have gatheredin Jerusalem from all over the world for the Jewish festival ofPentecost - a feast with sacrifices to celebrate the grain harvest50 days after Passover. Still contemplating Jesus' ascension intoheaven (Acts 1:1-11) and inspired by the newly-givenHoly Spirit, Jesus' disciples went out and started to speak to thecrowds - and thousands of people began to hear messages in theirnative languages (Acts 2:1-13). Historian Luke records that Peterstood up to address their bewilderment.

After explaining about the Holy Spirit that they are experiencing,Peter speaks about Jesus of Nazareth, crucified at the Passoverseven weeks earlier, who holds the key to all that is happening intheir midst. At first, Peter isn't telling them anything they don'tknow - many present for this festival would have been in Jerusalemthen - but then he goes on to claim that Jesus has been raised fromthe dead.

The New Testament writers frequently point back to the HebrewScriptures (the Old Testament) to reveal fulfilment of words thatwere only partially understood. For resurrection, Peter quotedPsalm16:8-11 (in verses 25-28) to find prophetic evidence forJesus' rising from the tomb in ancient words ascribed to KingDavid. Peter unveiled new meaning to Psalm16:10 in particular - "For you will not abandon my soul toHades [the place of the dead, or destruction], or let your Holy Oneexperience corruption." The resurrection of the dead was a commonpoint of theological debate in first century Judaism, but such abodily resurrection of the Messiah was perhaps more unexpected.Peter pointed out that David couldn't have been talking abouthimself in the psalm (because he died and is still very much dead),but rather Jesus, whom God raised up - to which those disciplescould testify.

But it is Peter's earlier comment that holds the key: God freedJesus from death "because it was impossible for him to be held inits power". It was impossible for the pure and sinless to be heldin the grip of corruption and decay; it was impossible for ultimategoodness to be consumed by evil; it was impossible for the world'slight to be overshadowed by darkness; it was impossible for aneternal love to meet its end. Jesus would not go the way of therest of creation, but would unleash new potential for the whole ofcreation. God's grace, revealed in Jesus Christ, released a powerinto human history which was not based on fear, abuse ormanipulation, but on faith, hope and love - a power that invites usto respond, and to share his rewards.

To Ponder

Read Psalm16. What other echoes of Jesus can you see in there?

When we speak of the 'after-life' we can imaginedisembodied souls floating to heaven. To what extent do you thinkthis is really the resurrection Peter and the others were talkingabout?

What does it mean to you to put your trust in apower that is greater than even death?