Saturday 18 April 2015

Psalm: Psalm 139

Background

These were indeed heady days in Jerusalem! The community ofbelievers was growing apace in response to the events of Pentecost,the preaching and teaching of the apostles and the commitment tothe common good. And part of the attraction were the extraordinary'wonders and signs' being done by the apostles.

The embryonic church was spending much time together gathered inthe Temple and offering prayer and praise. Here we see Peter andJohn on their way up to the Temple to pray, and the not unusualsight of a lame man at one of the gates asking for alms. Did herecognise Peter and John as leaders of this new movement or werethey just the next people to cross his path? Many will (no doubt)have hurried by, but Peter and John gave the lame man their fullattention - and he returned the favour, full of expectation.

Peter and John were humble fishermen and their request that theman look at them may have been to establish that they weren't alikely source of funds - or was it to ensure that he clearly heardand understood the remarkable words they were about to utter?Little did this man know that his expectations - his most profoundhopes and wildest dreams indeed - were about to be exceeded. "Ihave no silver or gold," says Peter, 'but what I have I give you;in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk." And hedid!

When the people recognized this man, now walking and leaping andpraising God, they were filled with wonder and amazement - no doubtPeter and John among them! How exhilarating for them to be used byGod in such a wonderful way. And what a witness these events wereto the presence of God in their midst - the risen Christ and theHoly Spirit - engendering awe and wonder, and new believers, and intime opposition and hostility. That the apostles found the wisdomand courage to plot a path through this maelstrom was furtherevidence of God's Spirit at work among them!

To Ponder

• The early Church seemed to be striking a balance betweenexuberance and good order. How is that being achieved in your ownchurch, context or community?

• What sense do you make of miraculous happenings such as thatrecorded in today's passage and how do they inform your faith?

• The Church today has limited resources, but what does it haveto offer?