Rochester, MN UCC - "Jesus, the Author of Life" - Acts 3:12-19
During the season of Easter, the common lectionary replaces the weekly Old Testament lessons with lessons from the book of Acts. So each week in the season of Easter, instead of stories from the Old Testament, we hear the stories of the apostles after the death and resurrection of Jesus. These stories are important for us to hear because they testify to the ongoing power of Jesus Christ, a power still active and present among his followers long after his crucifixion.
When we think of Jesus as merely a historical personality, as an inspiring and human leader, but a purely human one, we don’t allow much room for his continuing presence and power in the world. In this week’s text from Acts chapter 3, Peter uses an interesting phrase to refer to Jesus: he calls him the Author of Life. This elevated phrase takes Jesus’ identity well beyond that of a mere human being, it equates him with the Word of God that creates the world. This expands our thinking about Jesus beyond his earthly life- Jesus, was in the beginning with God, all things came into being through him. If Jesus is the incarnate Word of God, the Author of all life, then surely his presence and power are still active in the world. If the Jesus who loves us and forgives us and calls us to life is also the omnipotent God then we have reason to hope for all things.
In our story from Acts chapter 3, Peter has restored a sick man to health through the name of Jesus. He then tells all those present, that even though they participated in the killing of Jesus, if they repent, they too can be restored to new life. This was true of Peter’s audience in first century Jerusalem. If we are willing to enlarge our understanding of the person of Christ, if we can open our minds to the possibility that Jesus is indeed the Word of God, it is true for us as well. The Jesus who wishes to forgive us, and heal us, and walk with us into eternal life, is nothing less than the very Word of God. Thanks be to God for that!
Rev. Andrew Greenhaw