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Hey everyone, welcome to another episode of "Digging into God's Word"! This week we're
looking at the readings for the 6th Sunday of Easter! We're quickly approaching the end
of Jesus' work here on earth. Next week we'll celebrate Ascension Day when Jesus returned
to the right hand of his Father in heaven.
We stay in the book of Acts this week for our first lesson, but we change gears a little
bit. For the past few weeks we've been hearing about the early development of the church
in Jerusalem. Peter preaching and then the selection of people like Stephen to assist
with the proclamation of the gospel which culminated with Stephen being *** to death.
This week we fast forward a little bit to chapter 17 where we hear about Paul spreading
the good news in Athens, Greece.
Chapter 17 starts Paul and Silas traveling and preaching the gospel. The stopped in Thessalonica
and Paul tried to explain to them why Jesus had to die. Some believed, but many were angry
and caused a riot to happen and then blamed it on Paul.
So Paul and Silas left and traveled to Berea where they found believers who would listen
to Paul and then check what Paul said according to the scriptures to see if it matched. Paul
leaves Silas and Timothy in Berea and travels on to Athens where we find him this week
Paul is getting to know Athens and discovered that it was full of idols. This gets Paul
a little riled up and ready to tell them about the one true God. He'll tell anyone who listens
to him. He goes to the synagogue and to the marketplace.
Some of the philosophers of the time heard him and wanted to hear more. If you notice
they call him a babbler. This wasn't because Paul was incoherent in his speaking. Instead
it is because the Greeks at this time would say this about people from other nationalities.
The Greeks thought they were uncivilized and it is where we get the idea of barbarians.
Paul sees that they are very religious. It is just that they are religious toward all
of their idols. They don't want to miss anything so they make sure to even have an altar to
"the unknown" god. Paul sees this as a hook and tells them all about this unknown God.
The only true God. He tells them to repent because they day is coming when God will return
in judgment.
The verses that come after our reading say that some mocked him but that others came
to faith.
Our Epistle reading is a continuation of the letter from Peter. This week we move forward
to the 3rd chapter. In the beginning of this chapter Peter talks about how husbands and
wifes should live together. Then he instructs everyone to "have unity of mind, sympathy,
brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind."
He goes on and says, "Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the
contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing."
Our reading picks up shortly after this. Peter moves into discussion about suffering for
the faith. He says that we should not be troubled if we should suffer for righteousness sake.
Then he says that we should "always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks for a
reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect"
He then makes an interesting comment that "it is better to suffer for doing good, if
that should be God's will, than for doing evil." The life of a Christian isn't promised
to be good or easy or nice or fun, but we do have the promise that God is faithful.
Then Peter moves into Christ suffering once for all that we all may be brought back to
God. This salvation comes through Baptism which Peter says corresponds with Noah and
the ark. Just as Noah and his family were saved through the water by the ark, so too
Baptism now saves you through the resurrection of Jesus.
Our gospel reading today comes from John 14. It isn't very long, but we hear an important
promise from Jesus. First he says that anyone who loves him will keep his commandments.
Thi isn't us keeping the commandments in order to get him to love us, but because we love
him we want to do what he says.
Then Jesus makes a promise. He promises that the father will send a helper to be with his
people forever. He calls the helper "the spirit of truth" who will dwell with you and be in
you. He is talking about sending the Holy Spirit. We'll talk more about this on Pentecost
which is only a few Sundays away.
Jesus also tells them he will be leaving soon, but that he won't leave the disciples as orphans,
but will send this helper to them to be with them. Even though he's leaving soon, this
won't be the last time that they see him he tells them.
But until we see him again we just keep doing what he commands, because he has saved us
and we love him.
Great readings today! We're saved through the washing of Baptism and the Spirit is here
in us, leading us to faith and strengthening that faith.
Don't forget to send in your questions about this text or next week's texts. The texts
for next week are listed below.
God's blessings on your study of his word this week!