The issue of sacrifice remains present in my readings from Acts and
John. The threat which Paul had encountered becomes real. In Acts
14:19 we read that he is stoned. They assume he is dead and drag him
out of the city. When he is surrounded by his disciples, he rises and
goes on to teach the Word of God.
Jesus recieves word that Lazarus is ill. He decides to return to
Bethany, to assist him. Warnings that the crowd there were hostile and
threatening do nothing to dissuade him from returning. Thomas, called
the Twin, says to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die
with him."
I was in a conversation yesterday with a colleague. The congregation
where he serves is in an uproar about changing the time of worship.
"What has happened? That the time of worship leads to persons deciding
to leave the congregation?" he asked. Most congregations moved to two
services as a way to stave off building projects. But as numbers have
gone down, we cling to two services, one which occupies 40% of the
space; another which fills 30%. Both services feel empty and the
congregation lacks a unity which can allow for guiding itself into the
future. Moving to one unified worship service seems to be a good thing
to do.
My friend went on; "Nothing happens in the Kingdom of God without
sacrifice. If people are willing to sacrifice the time of day when they
come to worship, what are they willing to sacrifice?"
I reflected yesterday that it is unlikely we will be called upon to face
a stoning. But we are called upon to sacrifice - to set aside our
personal interest, our desires, our convenience - for the sake of
proclaiming the Good News. Transformed by the grace of God, we are
called upon to sacrifice in order that others might experience this
grace.
Paul is stoned; Jesus will not allow the threat of death to keep him
from Lazarus. What are you prepared to give - today and every day - for
the sake of the Kingdom of God?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment