From the Pastor |
Acts 3:12-19 & Luke 24:36b-48
Centuries ago, William Shakespeare wrote his play Romeo and Juliet and in it he asked the question: “What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet” What is in a name, indeed? Names are actually very important. A person’s name is their identity… their sense of individuality. Our name can carry deeply personal, cultural, familial, and historical connections… names can give us a sense of who we are, the communities in which we belong, and our place in the world. Some might say that our name is the most important word for each of us. Using a person’s name is the best way to get their attention… It is a sign of courtesy, recognition and respect. Today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles reveal how very important one specific name truly is. Our reading actually picks up mid story. Peter and John were going to the Temple at the hour of prayer. There they saw a man who had been crippled since he was born. He was carried to the Temple gate everyday so he could beg for money to survive. On this day he asked Peter and John for money. Peter told him that he had no money, but “what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.” [Acts 3:6b-8] The man was healed and jumping all around praising God. Needless to say this got the attention of all those in the area who were amazing and astonished by this turn of events. Which leads us to today’s reading. Peter lets the crowd know… in no uncertain terms… that HE nor John had the power to do this great thing. He makes it very clear that it was not HIS doing… but God’s. He said “Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus… By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.” It was not me… it was the power of God offered through faith in the name of Jesus that did this miraculous thing. Peter knew the power wasn’t his own. It was the power of the faith that Peter and John had. Where did that power come from? Our Gospel reading gives us a hint. When Jesus appeared to his disciples he spoke of this power. “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” We now know that this power is the Holy Spirit descended upon them all on the day of Pentecost. They were given the power through their faith… through their faith and trust in the man named Jesus. That power in truly in the name. Jesus of Nazareth… the Christ. Think about it… the name Jesus… יֵשׁוּעַ (Yeshua) in Hebrew… means “Yahweh is salvation”… “The Lord is salvation.” What more fitting name could there be for our Savior? During his ministry, Jesus’ very name put fear into demons… it was the power of his name that drove the demons out of people… that healed and made whole… that called the stormy seas… and that power continues because Jesus is alive…he is not dead… The same power that was bestowed upon Jesus at his baptism was pour out upon all who put their faith in his Holy name… since the Day of Pentecost… the followers of Jesus have embodied the power of Jesus’ name… and it has enabled them to continue to carry out the work of Christ in the world. You see… That awesome power was not meant for them alone… that power was meant to be used… it was meant to be shared. Disciples of Christ… Followers of the Way were called to share amazing power… to do something with it. Peter and John used the power the found in their faith in the name Jesus Christ of Nazareth to heal a man who had been lame his entire life… throughout the New Testament they used the power granted to them to help others… to serve and glorify God through the work they did. In fact… throughout the sub sequent generations, people have continued to utilize the amazing power in Jesus’ name… the power that comes from the Holy Spirit when they put their faith in Christ Jesus… amazing, miraculous, wonderful things. Healing… caring… teaching… preaching… utilizing all the many gifts that come from the Spirit of God to bring glory to God. Even today… through his disciples… Jesus’ name and power are made known throughout the world. The power that can heal the body AND the soul… the power that forgives sins and offers salvation… The power that continues the work Jesus began on the cross in breaking down the barriers of division. The power that is in HIS name! We are called to do the same. You see… we too have the power that comes from our faith in the name ‘Jesus’. When we put our faith in Christ… when we hear God‘s holy Word and accept the truth in our hearts… when we “come to Christ” as they say… we too are granted that power. In our baptism… in our faith…. The Holy Spirit comes upon us… dwells within us… provides the power we need to do God’s will in the world around us. My friends… WE are the ones who embody the power of Christ our Lord in the world today, and like the apostles… like the early church… like the disciples throughout the ages… we are called! We are called to do something… to work… to serve… to care for and lift up those who are in need… to praise and worship… all to the glory of Christ our Lord. The problem is… do we? Do we even attempt to use the power of the Holy Spirit granted to us? Do we allow our faith in the name of Jesus to tap into the power that is in that name? Matthew West is a contemporary Christian singer and musician. He tells of meeting Andrea, a former college student who “had chosen to spend a semester abroad…in Uganda. While there, she happened upon an orphanage in critical condition. The children were being badly neglected and even abused. Her heart broke for these orphans who had no advocate. That’s when this college student decided to do something. She called her parents and said, “I’m not coming home.” She refused to leave these children until something was done to improve the conditions.” Andrea and her sister worked together to get the Ugandan government to fix the situation. The government in turn closed the orphanage leaving about forty children homeless turning them over to Andrea. She had “a new vision and desire to create a safe place for these children to grow and learn. Today, Musana (which means “sunshine”) is a thriving orphanage in… Uganda, housing over one hundred children! … When asked what it was that made her fight for these children she simply said, “I just kept thinking, ‘if I don’t do something, who will?’” Andrea’s story inspired Mr. West… he said “Today, so many of us Christians talk so much about being the hands and feet of Christ, but never really displaying what that looks like... It’s not about talking. It’s about doing!!! It’s time for us to do something!” [Matthew West] As a result he wrote a song entitled Do Something. (See video below) If not us, then who If not me and you... If not now, then when Will we see an end To all this pain Oh, it's not enough to do nothing It's time for us to do something As Christians, we are called to boldly proclaim the glory and power of Jesus’ name… not only with our words but with our actions… we are called to “do something”… If we have faith in the name of Jesus… then we have the power… Because Jesus is present in his name… and there is Power in His name… It is up to us to use it. Amen.
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Yeon Shin
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