The Fourth Sunday of Easter, May 2, 2004
Acts 13:15-16,26-33(34-39) or Num. 27:12-23; Psalm 100; Rev. 7:9-17 or Acts 13:15-16,26-33(34-39); John 10:22-30
Two themes run through the lessons for today: the absolute constancy and reliability of God and the fickleness of human beings. In the lesson from Numbers, the Lord points out bluntly that Moses will not be permitted to enter the promised land since he had “rebelled against [the Lord’s] word in the wilderness of Zin when the congregation quarreled with [the Lord]” (Num. 27:14). Even Moses, the great leader of God’s people during the time of the Exile, through whom the Ten Commandments were delivered, fell short in his service to God.
In the lesson from Acts, Paul, speaking in the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch, mentions almost matter-of-factly that “because the residents of Jerusalem and their leaders did not recognize [the Savior] or understand the words of the prophets that are read every sabbath, they fulfilled those words by condemning him” (Acts 13:27).
The lesson from Revelation identifies those who are praising God as having “come out of the great ordeal,” i.e. who have been persecuted by evil humans for their fidelity to Jesus.
Finally, in the gospel, a crowd of people confronts Jesus, demanding to know whether he is the Messiah. He responds, “I have told you, and you do not believe” (John 10:25). In every case, whether it is the enemies of God, the people of God themselves as a group, or the leaders of the people, to one measure or another all fall short of the call of God to dedicate themselves to him radically and totally.
In contrast, the fidelity and utter reliability of God to his people is shown forth without exception. In place of Moses, Joshua is commissioned as Moses’ successor, so that the people will not be left without a leader or one who will convey to them the word of God. In Acts, Paul proclaims that the “good news that what God promised to our ancestors he has fulfilled for us” (Acts 13:32-33). In Revelation, the faithful are in a place of complete safety, comfort, and joy in spite of their persecutors. In John, Jesus’ answer to the crowd is to promise eternal life to those who follow him, for no one can snatch them from the almighty hand of God.
Gladly, without taking away the amazing gift of free will that makes us human and able to love, these lessons proclaim that our failings will not turn aside God’s faithful promises. Only outright rejection of God can do that.
Look It Up
Today’s psalm has four verses. Which of them best brings out the theme of all the lessons?
Think About It
Is there a time in your life when God proved his fidelity and love to you even when you were falling short of your calling?
Next Sunday
The Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 9, 2004
Acts 13:44-52 or Lev. 19:1-2,9-18; Psalm 145 or 145:1-9; Rev. 19:1,4-9 or Acts 13:44-52; John 13:31-35
