Tuesday, June 03, 2003
After I signed out, I went to bed (it was midnight after all), and took my copy of The Message with me. I was a little keyed up (see previous post), and reading helps. Also, I have decided that since Pentecost is coming up, it would be good to read the book of Acts again. Since it was midnight and I'm "of a certain age", it didn't take me long to be snoozing. But, I did manage to get through the introduction :^). Actually, I was very struck by several things said in the intro, so much so that I wanted to share them. Here is an excerpt:
Because the story of Jesus is so impressive--God among us! God speaking a language we can understand! God acting in ways that heal and help and save us!--there is a danger that we will be impressed, but only be impressed. As the spectacular dimensions of this story slowly (or suddenly) dawn upon us, we could easily become enthusiastic spectators, and then let it go at that--become admirers of Jesus, generous with our oohs and ahs, and in our better moments inspired to imitate him.
...Luke...continues to tell the story as the apostles and disciples live it into the next generation. The remarkable thing is that it continues to be essentially the same story....
The story of Jesus doesn't end with Jesus. It continues in the lives of those who believe in him. The supernatural does not stop with Jesus. Luke makes it clear that these Christians he wrote about were no more spectators of Jesus than Jesus was a spectator of God--they are in on the action of God, God acting in them, God living in them. Which also means, of course, in us.
Talk about spurring one on toward love and good deeds!