Rebel Christians

       I have made note numerous times that Jesus was a rebel. Whether it was reaching out to the marginalized, congregating with sinners or calling the religious elite to task, Jesus was a real rebel.  In today's passage Jesus even speaks to the point of separation of church and state - give to Caesar what is Caesars and to God what is God's. It does not stop there though. The Apostles picked up the reigns of his message and brought out even more rebelliousness.  The Apostles opened up the message to all, Jew and Gentile. The Apostles lived in commune, a radical expression of unified love for each other. People sold what they had for the common good and shared everything in common. In today's passage they expressed the early marking of a democratic society by the election (cast lots) for the replacement of Judas and a new twelfth Apostle. Democracy, almost communism, speaking to Samaritan women, consorting with lepers and sinners, Oh my!

         It is amazing that there are so called Christians out there that seem to miss the vast majority of Jesus' message, feigning religiosity and preferring judgment and hate.

       As Christians we are called to a radical expression of love. It is not simple, it is challenging and takes us to the depths of our soul and existence to share all we are with every single person. A radical notion even today, perhaps more so.

       The notions of Democracy and holding things in common is an extension of our recognition and concern that every single human is our brother or sister. Our radical concern for the environment is a recognition and concern for God's created world that has been entrusted to us to use but not to abuse. 

       Today I pray for how I will carry Jesus' extreme message of love into our world. Can I be as rebellious? As inclusive? As blind to societal strata?  I pray for all of us this day.

         

Acts 1:15-26

In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred and twenty people) and said, ‘Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus— for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.’(Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. This became known to all the residents of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their language Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) ‘For it is written in the book of Psalms,
“Let his homestead become desolate,
   and let there be no one to live in it”;
and
“Let another take his position of overseer.” 
So one of the men who have accompanied us throughout the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.’ So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias.Then they prayed and said, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.’And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.