The God that Raises Jesus from the Dead - August 23
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 1, 2, 3; PM Psalm 4, 7; 1 Kings 1:5-31; Acts 26:1-23; Mark 13:14-27
The last few weeks feel quite a bit heavier than usual, and that is probably saying something considering how challenging the last year and a half have been for so many. There are a few Articles in The Atlantic that capture this but the headline for one was especially striking: “Parents Are Not Okay” and the author’s tagline is “We are not even at a breaking point anymore. We’re broken.” That’s a tough one to swallow, and it hits a little too close to home. Wildfires are raging in the west, the border is a mess in the south, an earthquake and political turmoil have ravaged our friends in Haiti, and the tragedy in Afghanistan is a nightmare for millions of people. And like every other day, countless people have challenges that they face, and yet it almost feels like we collectively are less empathetic than we were a few months ago. Is that what it means to be broken?
In the twenty-sixth chapter of Acts, Paul is imprisoned in Caesarea, and he is brought before King Agrippa. He is grateful to King Agrippa because the king understands his Jewish faith with which Paul has been accused of violating Torah. I love the question that Paul asks King Agrippa. “Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?” Paul is in jail and has started an entire revolution over this one fact: that God can raise the dead. Of all the controversial things we get upset about, this is what brings about Paul’s imprisonment and a worldwide revolution.
There is a pendulum in Christianity, especially in more mainline Christianity. The thrust of our faith is so often focused on love of neighbor. Much of the teachings of the Gospel are on expanding the notion of who is neighbor. For example, the parable of the Good Samaritan is not about a good deed done by a stranger, but the story goes much further to remind us that even the enemy is our neighbor. And yet, a consideration that I am wrestling with is how do we love when our well is dry? How do we love when our empathy is gone (an Alabama Doctor made national news by lamenting that he is refusing to treat unvaccinated patients)?
The other end of the pendulum is the incredible power of God. Maybe this morning more than ever, we need to be reminded that we don’t follow Jesus Christ or the sole reason that it teaches us to have love and empathy for every human being. And yes, that is an incredible and one of the most important tenets of the faith. But if we are broken, our empathy and love have limitations. We follow Jesus because God raised Christ from the dead and gives life to us as well.
It feels heavier today, but our faith is a reminder that God’s power and agency are the greatest force in this world. It might be heavier today, but it won’t always feel this way. This was hard to believe for the Jewish people who had Paul imprisoned. But Paul knew that God could bring life to any situation. And we follow Jesus because we believe that too.
John+
Questions for Self-Reflection: Do you pay attention to your own levels of empathy? How have the last few months felt to you?
Daily Challenge: Read the articles that are referenced in the article. They are tough to read, but then consider how our faith in God’s work in Christ can change our outlook.