Making Up For Past Mistakes
by the Rev. AJ Ochart
Sermon Notes
We have now finished the gospel of John, and will spend the rest of the season of Easter with a selection of other New Testament texts. This week and next week we will hear from the Acts of the Apostles about the Apostle Paul, his conversion and a bit of his ministry. Then some highlights from Paul’s letter to the Philippians. And then on Pentecost Sunday we will hear about the granting of the Holy Spirit.
The book of Acts (a.k.a. Acts of the Apostles) is the sequel to the Gospel of Luke; part 2 of the Luke/Acts cinematic universe. It tells a story of what happens to the disciples and apostles of Jesus after his death, resurrection, and ascension. The Holy Spirit is granted to the church on Pentecost (which we will celebrate in a few weeks), and then sends them into the world to be… the church. They are marked by their radical welcome and care for the last and the last; and unashamed proclamation that Jesus of Nazareth, who was executed by the religious authorities, has raised from the dead. This causes a growing reaction from those religious authorities who try to use their power and threat of violence to silence these witnesses to both Jesus’ death and resurrection. Not long before this text, this growing tension has resulted in the martyrdom of Stephen. This martyrdom then starts an active persecution of the early church, lead by Saul. It also drives the disciples of Jesus out of the comfort of Jerusalem to proclaim the gospel beyond the Jewish people.
Now we find Saul on the way to Damascus to bring in Jesus followers, whether they are men or women, to bring them back to Jerusalem. It is likely that the intended outcome for Paul is that they too be executed for blasphemy. Jesus, however, has different plans.
Questions to Ponder
– Have you ever done something that you were absolutely convinced was correct, and then found out differently later?
– Have you ever been called to love someone that you really didn’t want to?
– What is your obligation when you see the error of your ways?
