26 April 2014 - shout of victory

26 April 2014 - shout of victory


I shall not die, but live,
and declare the works of the LORD.

We are called to proclaim Jesus Christ risen from the dead.  Most of us don't have advanced theological training.  But that doesn't matter. 

Observing the boldness of Peter and John
and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men,
the leaders, elders, and scribes were amazed,
and they recognized them as the companions of Jesus.

Jesus gives us the strength to be bold for him.  He sends his Holy Spirit to give us the words we need.  They need not be complex theological expositions.  In fact our first words about Jesus should always be simple.  We say, "Jesus lives, though he was dead, and he loves you."  We may have to expound from there.  But what if we run into folks like the the companions of Mary Magdalene who do not believe her?  What if we are like those to whom the two return?  They say simply that they have seen the risen LORD.  But the others do not believe.

Do we then have to expound some complicated theology to be persuasive?  No!  We just insist that we know what we know.  Jesus is risen, alleluia!  He has come to meet us and reveal that not even death can stop his love for us.  Would it even help if Mary Magdalene or the two started into a complicated apologetic?  Unlikely.  Instead they must simply allow the impact which seeing the risen LORD has had on them to be visible to those around them.  Let us not be shy about our own "shout of victory" in response to the resurrection!

My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
The joyful shout of victory
in the tents of the just.

This boldness prepares us for phase two of evangelism.  What do we do in response to open hostility?  What do we do when our joy in Jesus threatens the old order?  Positions of worldly power and authority call us to silence so that they can hold on to their power.  Jesus has a plan for human life?  For sex and marriage?  For everything?  How dare we.

But so that it may not be spread any further among the people,
let us give them a stern warning
never again to speak to anyone in this name.”

So they called them back
and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

Peter and John are not the first to believe.  They doubt before they accept the truth.  They are not well educated.  But now that they have encountered the risen LORD they are bold in a way that makes others recognize "them as companions of Jesus."  Now that they are filled with the Holy Spirit they can't help but proclaim their own "joyful shout".

Peter and John, however, said to them in reply,
“Whether it is right in the sight of God
for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges.
It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.”


Is it also impossible for us?