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Peacemakers
All in Weekly Lectionary
Each week, I take some time to reflect on one of the lectionary passages for the upcoming Sunday. This week for the fifth Sunday of Easter, we're going to look at Acts 8:26-40.
The story of Philip and the Ethiopian is fairly well-known and has a lot of implications for the inclusiveness of the gospel. What's always been remarkable to me is Philip's unwavering obedience. He does not hesitate to go up to this stranger from a strange land when prompted. But I wonder what would have happened if he was a bit more like us. What if he let his fears and prejudices slow him down a bit. When I begin to think about these things, I start forming imaginary conversations in my head. That is what follows. I should stress that it's imaginary and I am not suggesting that any of this is what Philip or the Holy Spirit would actually say.
Spirit: Go over to this chariot and join it.
Philip: Are you sure?
Spirit: I'm sorry, did I stutter?
The writers of the gospels always tip their hands when it comes to Judas. Whenever we get the roll call of the disciples, they always make sure to point out that he is the one who is going to betray Jesus. It colors how we view him; like he is this sketchy guy who from day one is rubbing his hands together as he hatches his evil plot to destroy Jesus.
But that doesn't seem to be the way that everyone else saw him. Judas had been with these guys for probably three years. He sat under Jesus' teaching. He was sent out to minister and perform miracles like all of the rest. He was one of them and I have to think that, despite what happened down the road, his heart was in what was going on.
When Jesus tells the disciples that someone is going to betray him, a disciple does not immediately say, "Oh, it's totally Judas!" There is uncertainty. No one is sure who the spy is. The twelve look around wondering, "Is it him? Him? Is it me?"
