|
Transforming
the Oppressive Structures
Acts 4:32-37
Vs.32 Now
the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no
one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they
owned was held in common.
In today’s society among the countless organizations that
exist, the word community is brought up countless times. While it is
defined as a group of people gathering together for a unified purpose,
how does the Bible's connotation bring meaning to this word? The
book of Acts written by the physician Luke, details the lengthy history of
the early church community and its explosion in growth. As we see the
amazing ways in which the Lord works through the people and world in that
time, how does this correlate to us as disciples living in the 21st
century?
We live in a large world with a seemingly endless list
of tasks to accomplish and needs to be met. Comfort and peace is
something we, as human beings, crave in our lives and it is often found
in the people around us. How deep are these connections in our lives. Is
it merely a small talk and say good bye relationship? Is our connections
with others in our church solely centred on our cultural background and
church events? As Christians, true unification occurs with the
ultimate sacrifice in Christ Jesus and the Holy spirit that dwells within
us.
As we examine the passage, we see a transformative way
in which the community of believers at that time lived life amongst each
other. They had the same heart and mindset of being focused on God's work
and literally sold everything they had! While this may seem radical in
concept, it is an incredible sign of their love and care for one another.
In saying this is 'not my money and land', they share in the SAME
struggle together. That there was no needy among them(v.34) is a
testament to the grace of God changing the believer's idea of giving and
community. The people remembered the SOURCE of their blessings and
thus there is no “me” or “mine” mindset. Our society dwells on the
concepts of an ''us and them" mentality but the grace of God
destroys it.
We see the explosion of followers in Christ grow in
the beginning of Acts 4 after Peter and John faced questioning and
opposition from the Sanhedrin and synagogue rulers. The so called
structural “church” did not comprehend nor believe and instead chose to
stifle the message of Christ's resurrection. Though the jailing was
meant to deter followers, it only led to seekers coming in bigger droves.
Not only that, Peter and John's testimony empowered the believers to take
greater leaps of faith and love each other. My prayer is that we learn to
give not out of convenience and surplus, but in inconvenience and need.
God will provide every need and grow us in trial rather than in success.
May God bless us all in this season of Lent as we remember the life, death
and resurrection of our Lord.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
help us to pursue a heart of grace for those in need and empower us to
deny our sinful selves, so that we may grow in greater intimacy with
You. Grant us ears to listen to the needs of your people, the true
church, so that we may run the race of faith continually in true
community. Amen
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
How well do we
know the needs, hearts, and pain of the people around us? How can we grow
to love and support them as Christ would?
Arun Chacko, Staten Island MTC, NY
Christian Education Forum,
Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church
|