Acts 26:9-18 (NRSV)
“Indeed, I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things against the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
And that is what I did in Jerusalem; with authority received from the chief priests, I not only locked up many of the saints in prison, but I also cast my vote against them when they were being condemned to death.
By punishing them often in all the synagogues I tried to force them to blaspheme; and since I was so furiously enraged at them, I pursued them even to foreign cities.
With this in mind, I was traveling to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, when at midday along the road, your Excellency, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my companions.
When we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It hurts you to kick against the goads.’
I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The Lord answered, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.
But get up and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you to serve and testify to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you. I will rescue you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’”
After more than 15 years of following the Revised Common Lectionary, I know that making a thematic link between all four texts in a given week can be difficult sometimes.
Take this week, for example. Our two Old Testament texts and our gospel text all speak to how we relate to those who might be “enemies” or those who have treated us harshly. Joseph and his brothers, the psalmist’s persecutors, and then Jesus’ admonition to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us. They all fit together nicely.
Then there’s 1 Corinthians.
At first glace, there’s not much of a link. But I want to propose to you that there is an important link lying just beneath the surface. Because Paul’s text is comparing the First Adam, the man of dust, with the Last Adam (Christ), the man of heaven. In that comparison there is an important addition to our theme for the week.
Our world is broken. The very existence of those we could call “enemies,” or the very fact that our relationships are often broken and stained by hatred and animosity…these are all effects of sin. That’s the legacy of the First Adam.
But the legacy of the Last Adam, Christ, is that sin’s power over this world is broken. Even those who commit the worst sins against us can be forgiven (just as we can be forgiven for the hurts we cause). Every relationship has a potential for reconciliation and transformation because Christ has reconciled us to God and transformed us.
In our 1 Corinthians text we see a glimpse of what lies ahead for every broken relationship, every division of “friend” and “enemy,” every mistreatment perpetrated by one human being against another: rebirth and resurrection. One day there will be no more “enemies” because God will usher in a New Eden of unity, harmony, and love.
Until then, I think our text in 1 Corinthians challenges us to move even beyond loving our enemies. I think it encourages us to pray for their transformation and ours, that by the Holy Spirit our sad divisions might cease.
That’s a whole different realm of resurrection.
For today we offer three songs reminding us of God’s abundant blessings. As our Song Reflections run only Monday through Friday, you may wish to use one a day into the weekend, or you may wish to sit in an extended time of worship and prayer. For your reflection, simply read and pray through the lyrics of each song and reflect on these questions:
What lyrics and words resonate most with your soul right now?
How does that lead you to prayer?
However you make use of these songs and prayers, may God show you his transforming grace as you spend time with him.
Song: “Touch of the Master’s Hand” by Wayne Watson
LYRICS
Well it was battered and scared,
And the auctioneer felt it was hardly worth his while,
To waste much time on the old violin but he held it up with a smile,
Well it sure ain't much but its all we got left I guess we aught to sell it to,
Oh, now who'll start the bid on this old violin?
Just one more and we'll be through.
And then he cried one give me one dollar,
Who'll make it two only two dollars who'll make it three,
Three dollars twice now that's a good price,
Now who's gonna bid for me?
Raise up your hand now don't wait any longer the auctions about to end,
Who's got four Just one dollar more to bid on this old violin?
Well the air was hot and the people stood around as the sun was setting low,
From the back of the crowd a gray haired man,
Came forward and picked up the bow,
He wiped the dust from the old violin then he tightened up the strings,
Then he played out a melody pure and sweet, sweeter than the Angels sing,
And then the music stopped and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low he said now what am I bid,
For this old violin and he held it up with a bow.
And then he cried out one give me one thousand,
Who'll make it two only two thousand who'll make it three,
Three thousand twice you know that's a good price,
Common who's gonna to bid for me?
And the people cried out what made the change we don't understand,
Then the auctioneer stopped and he said with a smile,
It was the touch of the Master's hand.
You know there's many a man with his life out of tune,
Battered and scared with sin and he's auctioned cheap,
To a thankless world much like that old violin,
Oh, but then the Master comes,
And that old foolish crowd they never understand,
The worth of a soul and the change that is rought,
Just by one touch of the Masters hand.
And then he cried out one give me one thousand,
Who'll make it two only two thousand who'll make it three,
Three thousand twice you know that's a good price,
Common who's gonna bid for me?
And the people cried out what made the change we don't understand,
Then the auctioneer stopped and he said with a smile,
It was the touch, that's all it was; it was the touch of the Master's hand,
It was the touch of the Master's hand; oh, it was the touch of the Master's hand.
Song: “Though I May Speak” by Koine
LYRICS
Though I may speak with bravest fire, and have the gift to all inspire, and have not love; my words are vain; as sounding brass, and hopeless gain. Though I may give all I possess, and striving so my love profess, but not be giv'n by love within, the profit soon turns strangely thin. Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control, our spirits long to be made whole. Let inward love guide every deed; by this we worship, and are freed.
Song: “Heal Our Land” by Kari Jobe
LYRICS
You take, our lives
Flawed yet beautiful
Restore, refine
Lord You're merciful
Redeem, revive
Spirit of God
Breathe on Your church
Pour out Your presence
Speak through Your word
We pray in every nation, Christ be known
Our hope and salvation, Christ alone
New power, new wine
As divisions fall
One church, one bride
Jesus, Lord of all
With one voice, we cry
Spirit of God
Breathe on Your church
Pour out Your presence
Speak through Your word
We pray in every nation, Christ be known
Our hope and salvation, Christ alone
Christ alone
So God we pray to You
Humble ourselves again
Lord would You hear our cry?
Lord will You heal our land?
That every eye will see
That every heart will know
The One who took our sin
The One who died and rose
So God we pray to You
Humble ourselves again
Lord would You hear our cry?
Lord will You heal our land?
That every eye will see
That every heart will know
The One who took our sin
The One who died and rose
And when Your kingdom comes
And when at last You call
We'll rise to worship You alone
Spirit of God
Breathe on Your church
Pour out Your presence
Speak through Your word
We pray in every nation, Christ be known
Our hope and salvation, Christ alone
Spirit of God
Breathe on Your church
Pour out Your presence
Speak through Your word
We pray in every nation, Christ be known
Our hope and salvation, Christ alone