LOOK INTO THE MATTER

PRAYER MOMENT 

Wdnesday 6 May 2015

LOOK INTO THE MATTER

Pause. Enter into the stillness of God within.

Reading: “Certain members of the Pharisees’ party who had become believers objected, insisting that the pagans should be circumcised and instructed to keep the law of Moses. The apostles and elders met to look into the matter.” (Acts 15:1-6)

Reflection. This was another big crisis in the early days of the church. They had endured persecution, they had reached out to the pagans and now they were faced with an internal revolt - to put it dramatically. Basically they were being asked, “Are you going to throw over board two thousand years of our history, years that gave us identity and cohesion in the face of our enemies?” The apostles and elders, as we shall see tomorrow and Friday, answer “yes”, even if they do it diplomatically. It is hard for us to grasp what a courageous and faith filled decision that was. They had tried so hard to work within Judaism but now they have reached an impasse. They have to decide and their decision leads to a final break. Though they would always reverence their Jewish roots they now had to strike out on their own.    

Prayer. Lord, give us the courage to be faithful to your Spirit in our hearts and conscience even when it seems to go against what everyone expects. Amen.

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