Author: Dave Dishman (Page 274 of 458)

Last week we enjoyed Easter with our church, and this morning my wife and I celebrated Easter a second time. It’s so good, why stop at one?

Our next door neighbors attend a local Orthodox congregation, celebrating Easter one week later. The service started at 5:15 am, which meant a 4 am alarm in order to get to the church early for a seat, and indeed standing room only prevailed.

The service started in the dark, echoing the dawn of Easter morning in Jerusalem. After lighting candles, the congregation walked outside in the pale light, around the back of the church to the front doors. There the priest knocked and announced the arrival of the King of Glory, resurrected from the dead.

The doors reminded me of what Jesus himself told us, Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

The doors opened, we walked inside into warmth and after the service enjoyed a grand meal—those Orthodox can spread a table. We enjoyed effusive greetings and rich hospitality. I initially thought, how interesting to celebrate Easter from a different point of view. Then a more accurate impression came to mind—I believe from the Lord—how meaningful to celebrate Easter with ancient traditions new to me.

When it comes to Easter every Christian, regardless of heritage or style, shares the same point of view—we peer into an empty tomb. And so we say together with one other and the angels:

He is Risen! Indeed He Is Risen!

William-Adolphe Bouguereau – The holy women at the tomb (1890)

Simon the Sorcerer stands out to me. Probably because I don’t know any sorcerers and I always assumed I’d meet some along the way. Movies about magic and the paranormal intrigue me—I find the whole topic fascinating.

Simon did as well. He amazed people with his sorcery. But then Philip arrived with power and a new teaching about the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. Many converted, including Simon.

Peter and John arrived and prayed the new believers might receive the Holy Spirit, which they did. Simon came unglued. He offered the apostles money for the gift of handing out the Spirit. My first thought is that Simon was just overexcited. But Peter burst out, You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.

Although Simon converted, he never repented. Simon believed for the benefits, the trappings of the faith, for what might come to him as a result. Simon never got to the Lord Jesus, but merely dipped his toe into the use religion to enhance myself Jesus. Simon saw power, but not the God behind the power.

I can do the same. I might attend services because I love the traditions, or it’s part of my cultural heritage, or I meet people who advance my career. Folks willing to serve others fill our churches, it’s a hallmark of our faith. But when I attend worship to help kind people notice me, then I’m in danger. Jesus should hold the eye, not me.

Simony, or paying for position, is named after Simon the Sorcerer. Not such a great legacy. But I find the attitude not too far from my heart, and I understand Peter’s rebuke more and more as time goes on.

Acts 8 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Joanna Kosinska

Sometimes tragedy or violence or disease cut a life short of fully flowering. We always wonder—what might have been?

Consider the first martyr in Christian history.

The Apostles chose Stephen to run a program caring for widows, describing him as a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit. Stephen ministered publicly as well—now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.

When he preached, Stephen’s face shone like the face of an angel, not in cuteness like we describe babies, but in a sense of holiness that struck awe and jealousy.

Eventually arrested, Stephen gave a powerful sermon condemning the religious elites, who were furious and gnashed their teeth at him, and stoned him to death. Thus a life of massive promise cut short.

What might have been if Stephen lived longer? What miracles would we read about today? Where might he have traveled on missionary journeys? What books might he have written?

Sad to consider the loss of such a man who followed the Lord. But it’s also fascinating to remember that watching the debacle of Stephen’s murder stood Saul, soon to become Paul. The Lord taketh away and the Lord giveth.

I also wonder who’s next? What man or woman stands on the sidelines waiting for a nudge from the Lord to get into the fray? That’s an exciting thought—who will the Lord raise up next? Let’s pray for saints to follow in Stephen’s footsteps.

Acts 6 & 7 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Street Donkey

The Philistines oppressed Israel for years. Finally, under the leadership of Samuel, the Lord interceded with such loud thunder the Philistines panicked and fled. The armies of Israel won a huge victory and ushered in an era of peace.

A new monument soon commemorated the site: Samuel took a stone and set it up…He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”

Ebenezer means stone of help.

The old hymn Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing comes to mind. What seems like a strange lyric, Here I raise my Ebenezer, now makes sense. Here I raise my stone of help forms a clearer image.

Prone to wander, another lyric from the hymn, has always made sense. I am prone to wander away from the Lord and his ways. The chosen people of God shared this same tendency. The entire history of Israel recorded in the Old Testament reflects our proclivity to wander.

Which is why Samuel set up a stone. Something solid and immovable to remember the Lord’s help. I also need solid markers to remember the Lord’s help in my life.

The Scriptures provide one such stone. The cross provides another. I hung a print of Supper at Emmaus, the painting by Carravaggio, on my wall to help me remember the power of being surprised by Jesus.

What do you see when you look around that do the same for you?

1 Samuel 7 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Kristin Ellis