Sunday Stretch: Vol. 76
Start off your week with a grounded take on Bible, prayer, the world, and your life ...
Hi Readers,
A special welcome to new readers of
! This is a special FREE edition of the Sunday Stretch, usually available to paid subscribers every Sunday morning. Thank you ALL for reading and supporting my work.Welcome back to the Sunday Stretch. I took off last Sunday (the first after Easter) and the two Sundays before that I did some specific content around Palm Sunday and Easter, so this is our first “normal” post in a little while.
The Easter Season of the church (which runs from Easter to Pentecost) can feel a little bit incongruous for me. I always remember how my first few years as a Pastor, I had bought into the Church Growth movement rhetoric that you had to “build on the momentum” of Easter and begin a new sermon series and all kinds of initiatives the week after Easter to keep the people coming. That kind of capitalist, consumerist approach to the resurrection just feels really *cringe* now.
And at the same time, as I read through this Sunday’s readings, I notice that we are indeed in a season of energetic growth and excitement in the Church. The first readings for the Easter season are taken from the Book of Acts, as the apostles spread the message of the Gospel and Jesus’ resurrection from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria, and to what they knew at the time as the “ends of the earth.” All kinds of miracles were taking place, and even as Jesus’ followers continued to face violence, persecution, and imprisonment - they were nonetheless filled with hope and zeal and the promise of a new world rising in the light of Jesus’ love, truth, and hope.
So where does that leave us, in 2024? As I was praying over the text this morning, I was struck that the difference between that Church Growth/consumerist Easter season mindset, and that of the hope and energy of Acts, is where that energy and excitement comes from. In Acts, it comes not from the Apostles themselves but instead originates in the leadership and promise of the Holy Spirit. As I came to that truth, I felt some of the burden of exhaustion and hopelessness and defeatism lift. I’m going to lean on the Holy Spirit this week, and trust that the Spirit’s leadership will give me the energy and hope I need to face whatever lies ahead.
Let’s get to the texts!
Quick bonus note: for local Minneapolis-area readers, I’m preaching this morning at 9 and 10:30 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church (Minneapolis campus). I’ll be covering a sabbatical there for the Rev. Kris Tostengard-Michel until the end of June. You’re invited to join me there if you’re in the area or you can livestream the service (or watch the video later) here.
Bible Stories
Acts 3:12-19
Acts 3:12 When Peter saw it, he addressed the people, “You Israelites,a why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servanta Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. 14 But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesusa has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you.
Acts 3:17 “And now, friends,a I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiaha would suffer. 19 Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out,
Whew. This is a rough text to begin with. Reading it quickly, you could see how later Christians could read this in an antisemitic lens, adding to the toxic and hateful trope that blamed Jews for Jesus’ crucifixion. What’s striking to me is that Peter, who is saying these words, speaks to “Israelites” as though he is speaking to a group of people to whom he no longer belongs. And yet Jesus was Jewis, as was Peter. And so here, just shortly after the miracle of the Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit enabled all people to understand one another’s language, we have groups of people divided by faith.
But notice too in verse 13 that Peter does not say “your” ancestors, but ours. Thus I think we must read his words as words not of condemnation but instead of words of familial affection, pleading, and deeply grief-stricken. Remember, Peter has just watched his friend and teacher be brutally executed by the state, cheered on by the leadership of his own faith community. These words are of a man who is deeply sad, and yet still hopeful in Jesus and the resurrection.
Questions to Ponder
Where was Peter saying these words? Who was the group he was addressing?
How does Peter claim relationship with the Jews in Jerusalem who have not believed in Jesus in this text?
The theme of witness is strong throughout the book of Acts. Why?
1 John 3:1-7
1John 3:1 See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when hea is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. 3And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
1John 3:4 Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.
The book of 1 John defines the Christian community as established by God’s love as made manifest in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus - and as marked by the love of the people in that community for one another and for the world.
How does this definition of the Christian community square with how most people think of “Christians” in the world today, specifically in America?
The writer of 1 John also describes the Christian community as one that is unknown by the world. Why do you think he feels this way?
What is the mystery about the future that is conveyed in the first two verses?
Luke 24:36-48
Jesus Appears to His Disciples
Luke 24:36 While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”a 37 They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.a 41 While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate in their presence.
Luke 24:44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiaha is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations,abeginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.
I love this Gospel text. I’m struck anew this time I read it by the earthiness and humanity of the resurrected Jesus. I think often modern-day Christians conceive of Jesus more as the “Christ” with a halo around his head, sitting on a throne in the clouds. But here Jesus is showing his wounds. He is eating the disciples’ broiled fish. The Jesus of the Bible is not distant or unfeeling or unmoved. He is among us, among especially those - like the fisherman who made up many of the disciples, as well as the tax collectors and the women disciples - whom society might disdain, ignore, and disempower. This Jesus demonstrates the simple power of eating together. Witness and truth is grounded in fellowship and - often - in sharing a simple meal. We are bound together by our shared humanity; in Jesus, God bounds Godself to us as well. What a gift this Easter season.
Why do you think Jesus first greets the disciples with the words: Peace be with you?
Jesus gives the disciples a very simple encapsulation of the Gospel in verses 45-47. Repentance and forgiveness of sins are the heart of this Gospel message. How does that play out in modern-day American Christianity?
How do you think the message of Jesus is popularly proclaimed today among American Christians? In what ways is it faithful or unfaithful to Jesus’ words here?
BONUS QUESTION: What does it mean to be called as a witness of these things? Do you think Luke meant to include modern-day readers, like us, as witnesses as well? How do you feel about this charge to be a witness?
PRAYER
Dear God,
These weeks after Easter are filled with the power and responsibility of carrying your message of grace and truth. Help me to see the places where the Holy Spirit has already gone ahead of me, and to find the people in whom the Holy Spirit is already speaking in my life. Grant me confidence and joy that You are leading the way, and that your gifts are meant for me as well.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
AMEN
An Invitation
A Community that prays for one another is transformed by the power of the Spirit. We’ve been praying for and with each other now for over a year! For the new year, and about once a quarter, I will re-start this space for prayer requests and praises. Please email with your own requests and I will share here with your permission!
We are beginning today a new season (EASTER) of the Church Year, which means I am re-starting our section here for prayer requests. Please hit REPLY to this email or leave a comment to add a public or private prayer request to this list. Thanks for praying with me!
For our Denker Family member, who is recovering from surgery this week.
For all churches, church leaders, musicians and volunteers who worked hard this season to add extra worship services and prepare for Easter; may You bless their words and work and help to build great community in local churches this season. May they also be granted time for rest and renewal to continue to do the work that You have called them to do.
For Yulia Navalnaya, Dasha Navalnaya, friends and loved ones, and all those in the Russian resistance movement who are mourning the death of Alexei Navalny in a Russian prison. For courage, hope, fortitude, and support for all those who continue to fight for freedom in Russia and against the Putin authoritarian regime
For ongoing war and bloodshed in Israel and Gaza, that humanitarian pathways will be opened up to make way for food and supplies into Gaza, that a way forward out of war will be heard by Israel and Hamas, that all those in danger, including hostages, will be protected and set free. For all leaders to prioritize human life over power.
For those who continue to live and fight in Ukraine, that the world will not turn away its attention from the plight of Ukrainians and their stand against authoritarian Russia.
For the United States and her politicians. That governmental leaders might see themselves as servants and examples, and for wisdom and courage for all who serve in government, especially the judicial system as it faces former President Trump’s cases.
For all of those living with and navigating chronic illnesses and injuries, and those who are caring for loved ones in need.
For all those who don’t have a safe place to live or enough food to eat, that they might be first and receive what they need.
For all those living with addiction and mental illness, that they might find a way into recovery
For farmers and all those preparing for planting season
For all around the world who face persecution for their religious beliefs, especially for religious minorities in places where governments sanction religion-based violence
For Christians to be emboldened to speak out courageously against anti-semitism and to acknowledge how we have been complicit in anti-semitic actions and speech against our Jewish siblings
For governments and leaders to prioritize climate change solutions and not be only ruled by profit or big business
For a dear friend of mine, and fellow pastor, who is confronting a recent cancer diagnosis and beginning a new treatment. Grant her strength and comfort and healing in this season, and thank you for the news of successful surgeries so far!
For all the concerns deep on our hearts, that you hear and know and acknowledge, we pray …
In the confidence of Jesus’ resurrection, as we await the leadership of the Holy Spirit, may You give us hope and energy for new life …
In Jesus’ name we pray,
AMEN
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P.S. …
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