Tuesday 12th May- Bible Study and Reflections.
I hope that you are all keeping well. Today’s Bible study includes reflections from the “Methodist Prayer Manual” and the “Roots For Families” worship and study resources.
Prayer of the Day
Be to us, O Lord Jesus Christ, the table that is set for all, the light that shines from your saints and the joy prepared for your people; now and forever. Amen.
Symeon the New Theologian (949-1022)
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Sovereign God, you are our light and our salvation, to you be glory and praise for ever. We thank you for the Cross and the wonder of Christ’s love for us: he is the light of the world. Anoint us with your Spirit as you call us into your marvellous light. May our lives bear witness to your truth and our lips proclaim your praise. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Steven Wild, Cornwall District Chair.
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-Bible Reading - Acts 9:36-43:
Peter in Lydda and Joppa- Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, ‘Please come to us without delay.’ So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, ‘Tabitha, get up.’ Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner.
Comments:
This account in the book “the Acts of the apostles”, of Peter's visit to Joppa continues the amazing story of witness to the community there and of the reality of the risen Jesus in these first exciting “power and faith filled” months of Christian experience. It is important to recognise that this episode is included in the Acts account because it illustrates the healing and restoring power of the risen Jesus. His compassionate ministry did not end though with his crucifixion, but instead continued through Peter who prayed, in faith, in the name of that same Jesus.
Against this backdrop where a healing “sign” of God's grace and power had been freely given, lies the reality that living a Christian life does not, in itself, insulate any believer against the difficulties of life that everybody else, in their mortality, also has to face. By all accounts, Dorcas led an exemplary life as a Christian dedicating her life to helping her neighbours and to what we might call today, in “making a difference” in her community. (She was devoted to good works and acts of charity ... (v. 36)). In doing so she touched many lives for Jesus and her practical efforts blessed many. But Dorcas, we read, fell ill and sadly died. She, like everyone else in her day, lived with the frailties of life and were subject to its harshness and uncertainties. These were the days before the availability of effective medication and certainly before any notion of the importance of ‘social distancing’ in preventing the spread of infectious diseases were understood. That said, God intervened in her life, through Peter, and her life and health were restored. The deeper truth for us is that our lives are all in God’s hands and that He can be trusted to weave even the darker, more turbulent times that we may experience, into a rich tapestry of His power and grace. Such experiences then become part of our testimony to the reality of His care and compassion.
Tabitha (or, in Greek, Dorcas – both names mean ‘Gazelle’) was a disciple and clearly well-to-do. She was generous and ran a women’s sewing circle. She was a widow, as were the other members of her circle. If you like, they were the prototype of many of the community groups that provide company and activities in our communities today. The reference in verse 41 to "saints and widows" might surprise us. ‘Saints’ did not imply moral excellence but was instead simply a term given to those referred to in verse 38 as ‘disciples’. This included women like Tabitha herself (verse 36). Why were “widows” mentioned separately to “saints” though? Perhaps the answer lies in that, like some church-based groups today, not all “widows” who were part of Tabitha’s sewing circle, had embraced the Christian faith. This was a “gateway group” to faith and Tabitha’s impact upon all who were part of it was marked and significant. “V39:All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them”. She had made a huge impact on them by her skill and dedication. I wonder, have we ever felt “weary in well doing” and wondering whether there is really any point in us continuing taking part in similar community groups? Please keep going. We may not realise it but even the “small flickering candle” of our presence, in God’s hands, may help others to come closer and to find friendship with the Lord.
Points to Ponder:
-Is all healing the work of the risen Jesus using human agency?
-Have you experienced the unexpected touch of God?
-What challenge does Tabitha present to the community to which you belong?
-What is your answer to the question: ‘Did it really happen?’
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The source of the impact that you and I bring upon those that we rub shoulders with in our families and communities is the person of God the Holy Spirit. In these weeks following Easter Day, our readings are leading us to the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was given to the disciples of Jesus. We are their descendants and the Holy Spirit is also given to and moves through us. In next Sunday’s gospel reading, Jesus promises His disciples the Holy Spirit and reveals a little of the difference He will bring about in their lives.
John 14:15-21
New International Version- Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[a] in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
Footnotes- a.John 14:17 Some early manuscripts “and is”
Comments:
The above passage follows that which we heard last week. In it, Jesus expands on what he said about us following in his way, by explaining how we are to put the idea of following Him into action. This is to be ‘By loving Jesus and keeping his commandments’. This relationship between “loving Jesus and keeping his commandments” is not, though, a case of ‘prove that you love me!’. Rather, it is Jesus explaining how loving him enables us to keep his commandments - a reminder that Jesus’ commands are all rooted in a loving relationship: loving God and loving others.
Jesus also explains that we are not expected to do this on our own; we have the Holy Spirit as our ‘advocate’. What did he mean by this though? The Greek word ‘advocate’ literally means the one ‘called to your side’ and could equally be translated as ‘intercessor’, ‘counsellor’ or ‘intermediary’. Crucially, the term means someone who will never desert us in our hour of need. This then flows on naturally to discussing our relationship with Jesus and with the Father; this is all bound up in that oneness with God that ensures that we are not left on our own.
The commands that Jesus urges us to keep are practical and everyday in nature. The current lockdown and social distancing rules have resulted in many examples of love in action, and they have also highlighted situations that are crying out for love to be expressed in a practical way. Perhaps this is a challenge for us to look (maybe using the internet if you have it), for examples of practical need in our locality or network of contacts. Are there one or two ideas for you to pursue further - either on your own, or as a household?
Points to Ponder:
-How easy is it to follow Jesus’ command to offer unconditional and practical love, following his example?
-What sort of things do you regularly do for other people, just because you love them?
Live your faith
Wherever you go this week, look for examples of Jesus’ command being fulfilled, and opportunities to demonstrate love in action. If you can, do it.
A prayer:
Gracious God, we come before you, drawn by the power of your welcoming love. We come with our sorrows and joys. We come with our expectations and apprehensions. We come with what we have done. We come as we are.
We thank you that in your love we find peace and hope. That your Holy Spirit fills, guides and directs us. That by your spirit you grow fruits and gifts in us that can bless others when offered in service.
Help us Lord to be your blessings to others, by our prayers, by our listening, giving, phone calls, letters, emails, and conversations. Be with us all during this ‘Lockdown period’ and may your Holy Spirit guide us in putting our faith into action; and in loving Jesus and in keeping his commandments. May His presence abiding in us, lead us in the right way, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Benediction.
And now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and forevermore. Amen
God Bless you all
Colin