Throughout the years, Christians have survived all manner of challenges, opposition, obstacles, and threats. And their weapon of choice is always the same. Today’s excerpt from The Kingdom Turn is found on pages 71 and 72:
“In Acts 6 a situation arose which must have caused every critic of the Church and every opponent of the Gospel to rub his hands together in expectation: ‘Now we’ll see this fraud exposed for what it really is.’ In the daily ministration and sharing of food, one group was being over-looked. The widows of Greek-speaking Jews, who had, until now, been cared for along with all the other needy persons, suddenly began to be overlooked. These women were out-of-towners. They weren’t from the original community, those who’d been born and raised in Jerusalem, or, at least, in Judea. These people had come from abroad, from the lands of the Gentiles. But the Christians in Jerusalem had received them as their own. Except that now a problem arose, one that threatened to split the Jerusalem church into factions defined by class, status, or even culture.
“‘It was just too good to be true,’ must have been the way many outsiders, looking on, surmised this situation. Surely the break-up of this movement was at hand, and it would fade away like previous movements had done. Instead, the apostles led the people to resolve this difficult challenge smoothly, easily, and lovingly, in a way that kept peace, met the needs of everyone, and brought a new generation of leaders into being to serve the needs of the community. Here was evidence of real, selfless love, love that cares enough for even the least of these to do whatever it takes to care for their needs. The result of this situation was that the Word of the Kingdom continued to grow, and a great many of the most ardent opponents of the Kingdom began to seek entry for themselves. These priests had heard Jesus, and they crucified Him. They’d heard the disciples, and they beat them. But when they saw this community of multiplied thousands reaching out to one another in sacrificial love, it broke their hostility and led a great many of them to become obedient to the King of Love.”
For reflection or discussion
1. How did Jesus exemplify the power of love?
2. What can you do to help your church be more of a loving community?
The Kingdom of God is righteousness, and love is the first evidence of righteousness at work. The goal of all Christian instruction is love. Love is the fulfillment of all the Law of God. Those who have made the Kingdom turn realize the power of love for making all things new. Share today’s podcast with some friends. Encourage them to sign-up and join in the conversation. Get together to discuss what you’re learning. A free copy of The Kingdom Turn is waiting for you at The Ailbe Bookstore.
T. M. Moore
