17 April 2013 - scattered, not shaken

17 April 2013 - scattered, not shaken

And this is the will of the one who sent me,
that I should not lose anything of what he gave me,

The Father does not will that Jesus should lose any who are given to him.  And that means that there are no circumstances which can pull us from his hands (cf. Rom 8:38-8:39).  We should have great courage even in the face of difficult circumstances.


There broke out a severe persecution of the Church in Jerusalem,
and all were scattered

They are scattered but not lost.  They are farther from one another but no farther from Jesus.  They are persecuted but not abandoned (cf 2 Cor 4:9). They have to leave their places of comfort but they do not lose heart.

Now those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.

They know that the God who transformed the death of Jesus on the cross into life for all can also work amidst these circumstances.


Come and see the works of God,
his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam.

Persecutions can't hold us down, they tell us, because the grave could not hold him.  They are confident  enough to tell us to come and see God work even in the midst of difficult circumstances such as these.  When we face difficult circumstances are we confident enough in God to believe that even or, perhaps, especially in these circumstances we can be witnesses to the power of God.

Jesus really does want to give us a confidence that transcends our circumstances.  He tells us more about what it means that we won't be lost:


For this is the will of my Father,
that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him
may have eternal life,
and I shall raise him on the last day.”

And seeing the Son means something very specific:


“I am the bread of life;
whoever comes to me will never hunger,
and whoever believes in me will never thirst.


Recognizing him in the breaking of the bread is key because this is how he choses to fill us with his risen life.  Eating and drinking are mere prophetic symbols for the true reality of the life we receive from him.  The victorious march of Jesus over the dry land of sin and death should inspire us with confidence and praise because we share it with him.


He has changed the sea into dry land;
through the river they passed on foot;
therefore let us rejoice in him.