Friday, April 19, 2024
Easter faith changes us
An excerpt from Acts 9:3-5
Now as Saul was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”
Reflection from Brian Loshbough, Trinity: As Saul came to believe in Christ, Jesus’ answer when Saul asked “Who are you, Lord?” on the road to Damascus changed everything for Saul. He came to faith and reoriented his passion from being against Jesus, to sharing Jesus with others. Plus, the insight that the believers whom he was persecuting were one with Jesus, prepared him to teach about the church being the body of Christ.
Each person who is a follower of Christ is a part, a member, of Jesus’ body.These Christians were not members of a club or organization. Each of them was organically and vitally connected to Jesus, as a body part with Jesus as the head of this body.
The words “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!” never left Paul’s heart. They humbled him, but they also helped him see how precious each follower of Jesus genuinely is!
O Father, forgive me when I write off those in my Christian family who irritate, wound, and disappoint me. Father, pour your love for my brothers and sisters into my heart through the Spirit. Open my eyes to see how precious and vital they are to Jesus. Not only did he die to save them, but he made them a living part of his body. Give me patience, O Lord, so I love them as I should. In Jesus’ name, I ask for this grace. Amen. (derived from Heartlight.org)
“Fort Sheridan at Sunset.” Photograph by Brian Loshbough, Trinity, Highland Park.
ADDITIONAL READINGS:
For further study and prayer, the readings assigned for today are:
• Psalm 117
• Acts 9:1–20
• John 6:52–59
MUSIC:
“I Sing the Mighty Power of God”
arr. Richard Nichols
“I see all God’s mighty wonders
Wheree’er I turn my eye,
If I survey the ground or gaze upon the sky.”
Tags: Easter to Pentecost 2024