Before attending seminary, whenever I opened my Bible, I hung out mostly in the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; because that was where Jesus hung out as well. But after a slew of Bible classes, I realized the beauty and depth of all of the sacred Scriptures, and I found myself spending more and more time in the book of Acts. Not because it is the sexiest book in the Bible, that is probably Song of Solomon. Not because it is the most cinematic, that would be Ruth or Esther. I like the book of Acts because I can see myself as a character in those narratives; it seems the most “real” to me.
The book of Acts is thought to be the “sequel” to the Gospel of Luke. And like most movie sequels, at first viewing, it seems like it doesn’t live up to the original. The main hero, Jesus, is gone and the supporting actors are trying to carry the entire plot by themselves by going on a giant road trip. But the more you view it, the more of a cult classic that it becomes, because you start to fall in love with the characters, not necessarily the plot. You begin to see yourself in the apostles, who are doing their best in a hostile world, without the immediate guidance of Jesus. There are definitely times in my life where I wish I was back in the book of Luke and had Jesus there to walk alongside me, but I realize I am firmly planted in the book of Acts, the time of waiting for Jesus to come again.
Throughout Acts we see regular people, trying to survive, and trying to spread the message of Jesus. They aren’t the superheroes, they are doing regular things. They gather together to teach, break bread, help people, and even get thrown in jail. They are so real that in one story that we hear about a person who is listening to Paul’s super long sermon (can you relate?), falls asleep, falls out a three-story window, and dies (Acts 20). This is us… We are the continuation of the book of Acts. We are the church of Jesus, the hands and feet of Christ, trying our best to survive in the world, spread the message of Christ, and not fall out of windows during long sermons.
All of the above thoughts have been floating around in my head recently while planning for my ordination service, which is where I was called as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the ELCA. As I was inviting people to be readers and participants in my service, I was reminded of all the ordinary people, modern-day disciples, that influenced me in my faith. It ties all the way back to the beginning of time, the beginning of our Bible, through the book of Acts, and more tangibly, the people who have shown me the love and grace of Jesus Christ. While I couldn’t invite all of the members of Lord of Life to be part of my ordination service, know over the past tens years that we have been members here, and especially during the last two years when I have served as your intern pastor, know that you have shown the light of Christ to me and my family. You have been those disciples to me!
But the story does not end here. Just like the apostles equipped people to spread the message of Jesus in the book of Acts, we have done that together at Lord of Life. I am now off on my own road trip, to Resurrection Lutheran in Lebanon, Ohio to continue the work of discipling people and you are to remain here and continue your good work in the community and with Pastor Alec. We turn the page, not knowing what comes next in the story, but confident that at the end of the book there will be a happy ending where we are all reunited in the arms of God.
Keep it real, share the Gospel, help your neighbor in need,
Pastor Corey