The Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 16, 2004

Acts 14:8-18 or Joel 2:21-27; Psalm 67; Rev. 21:22-22:5 or Acts 14:8-18; John 14:23-29

The lessons for today indicate that God is patient with humankind when our race, even those who are not part of God’s believing people, are slow or even reluctant to come to him. The lesson from Joel promises abundance and overwhelming plenty to the people of God, even as they are experiencing deprivation, and when that deprivation is because of their sins. Though the “threshing floors shall be full of grain” (future fulfillment), “the fig tree and vine give their full yield” (present blessing) (Joel 2:24,22). That is, the blessing is already evident, but its fulfillment is a sure and certain hope.

In Acts, Paul and Barnabas shout to the pagans who would offer them pagan sacrifices, “In past generations, [the living God] allowed all the nations to follow their own ways; yet he has not left himself without a witness” (Acts 14:16-17).

As in last week’s gospel, in today’s lesson from John, though we are in the Easter season, we have returned to the Upper Room on the night of Jesus’ betrayal. As we read this lesson, we may recognize that we ourselves are in a unique position. Unlike the disciples, we know both the details of Jesus’ passion to come and that it led to resurrection and triumph. We know the fulfillment even as we read of the prediction. Jesus’ prediction of the coming of the Spirit in this lesson then is a known reality for us, but confusing teaching to them. Jesus’ most

profound predictions were not understood when he uttered them, but only when they were fulfilled. At that time, those who had heard what Jesus had said earlier came to realize that he had prepared them for the moment of their fulfillment. This was so in the several predictions of his betrayal and death, and when he spoke of his resurrection. It was so when he informed Peter that the apostle would deny him three times. And it is so in today’s gospel reading when Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will come after Jesus is no longer physically with the disciples, and that he will cause them both to remember Jesus’ words and to understand them.

The lesson ends with Jesus saying, “I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe” (John 14:29). Still, though evidence for belief may take many forms, it must always be a leap of faith, and therefore of love.

Look It Up

If one considers that the lessons for today speak of God’s patience with wayward and searching humankind even as he provides a blessing, how is the lesson from Revelation different?

Think About It

When God blesses the wayward, the blessing can be an encouragement to seek the Blesser. However, those who are blessed can also seek only the blessing and look no further. What usually happens in such a case?

Next Sunday

The Seventh Sunday of Easter, May 23, 2004

Acts 16:16-34 or 2 Kings 2:1-15; Psalm 47 or 110:1-5; Eph. 1:15-23 or Acts 16:16-34; John 17:20-26