Vol. 18 No. 18 | May 9, 2016
When we last saw Peter he was walking on the beach talking with Jesus. Jesus’ final words to Him in that setting were, “You, follow me.” He did. In Acts 2 we hear the new revised version of Peter as he speaks to the crowd on the day of Pentecost. The scene begins with, “Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd” (2:14) It ends with 3000 people being added to the Kingdom.
If that is not enough, look what happens next.
“Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met.”
“They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.” (Acts 2:43-47, The Message)
There is so much excitement and energy in this chapter. There are so many things for seekers of and followers of Jesus to consider and reflect upon. But one phrase in very 44 stood out to me as I tried to read it with fresh eyes: “And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common.”
Wouldn’t it be nice to be part of a group or movement that is described the phrase all the people lived in a wonderful harmony. You hear things like that said about some sports teams, some families, and maybe some businesses, but not as often about churches.
Get a group of church people together and before long the conversation turns from a wonderful harmony to gripe fest about everything we dislike about the church. The service was too long. Do we have to have so many announcements? They are always talking about money. We sang too many songs. The sermon was too long! That was really boring. We didn’t sing any songs I like. Can you believe the elders made the decision to…? I wish we did more… I wish we did less of…
What was it about this brand new group of believers that made it possible for them to live in wonderful harmony?
Maybe it had something to do with the fact that the good news was still good news to them. They had just been reminded that the One was the One. That Jesus really was the Son of God. He was alive. He really died and did rise again. He did it because He loved them. Hearing good news brings us together in harmony. A baby is born. A storm has passed. A life has been saved. Good news brings us into harmony.
Maybe it has something to do with the fact that they allowed themselves to be awed by the works of God. For many of us awesome may refer to a meal, a hairdo, a new pair of jeans, a test score, a movie, or a new song. In our world of over-exposure to the spectacular Jesus dying and coming back to life may not be so spectacular.
We were not there. We did not see what they saw. We did not hear what they heard. We did not experience what they experienced. I get that. I understand that. But, Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection is still good news. It still is awesome! It can help us live in a wonderful harmony, if we will allow.
Focus on Jesus and what He has done for you and I’ll focus on Jesus and what He has done for me and maybe, just maybe then we can live in a wonderful harmony.
Tom
A Norvell Note © Copyright 2016. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.