It would seem that troubles are an inevitable part of life, so the question is about how we will respond to them. Today’s passage relates how our ancestors in the early church responded, albeit in two very practical ways, namely in taking up a collection and in abiding in prayer. How often it seems, today at least, that we do the former but neglect the latter. It is as if we really don’t believe that prayer is in any way practical or that it makes a difference. Well, if you read further in today’s story you will discover that it did make a difference. God intervened by frustrating the plans of those in the leadership of the nation and keeping Peter safe, by sending an angel to rescue him from prison. So much for being ‘impractical’. It therefore challenges us to be more frequent in prayer and more intentional and persistent in it.

Today in the church’s calendar of saints we celebrate the life of one of my favourites, St. Mary Magdalene. Often maligned and falsely represented over the years, she is notable as being the first witness to Jesus’ resurrection. As the first person to tell the story and spread the good news, she should be the patron saint of all evangelists--and indeed, for all of us.

So, then, that poses a couple of questions for me: firstly, what does it mean for each of us to be an evangelist? And, secondly, how do we go about doing this? Most of us are pretty tongue-tied, pretty reticent about speaking to others about Jesus and what He means to us, much less about what He has done in our lives. So, what is it that can make a difference for us, to help us do this more readily? Or, put another way, how can we, you and I, become more like the one we remember today?

There is something that I have had to wrestle with repeatedly as a pastor, namely the question of whether to help someone who is ‘supposedly’ in need. It is something that pastors and churches are confronted with often, but I am sure that all of us are confronted with it from time to time. The priest that David met up with had this issue, and gave David what he wanted, with dire consequences to himself and his family. Now, David used lies and misinformation to get it, but is this necessarily something that doesn’t happen with us as well? Often we simply don’t know all the fact either. So, should we say ‘yes’ to these appeals for help, or not? I’m not sure that there is a ‘one size fits all’ answer that fits every situation. Nevertheless, it is probably a question we all have to face at one time or another.

To me at least, it is quite incredible, all the variants of Christianity that co-exist out there. There are the dispensationalists, who assert that the ‘time’ for all kinds of signs and miracles ended with the rise of the early church and no longer take place in our world today. And there are those who totally disavow any idea of conversion or evangelism--as being insensitive and pushy, judgemental and non-inclusive. And there are those who dismiss any sense that God can work in any way other than what can be scientifically proven, that is, is purely rational and naturalistic ways. Probably then, in most senses, this is a gutless Christianity and an ineffectual God. However, this is not the God that I believe in and trust in. The problem is, however, that I don’t see a lot of evidence of His being at work in peoples’ lives or in our world or our churches today. I pray that this will indeed happen, and that our eyes will be open to be able to see it--and be part of it.

Today’s meditation and Scripture passage both speak to me on a subject that, to me at least, is rather challenging. I am a creature of habit who doesn’t like to change my ways very much. And so, venturing out into something new, taking a risk, trying out the new wine skins, is not exactly something that I’m comfortable with. However, sometimes that is exactly what God is calling us to accept--and even embrace. Sometimes that is exactly what He demands of those who ’say’ that they trust Him in everything. Anyway, to do that is something that I struggle with. Maybe you are ‘in the same boat.'

Sometimes there are pieces of Scripture which, though they give us a bit of history and explain partially why things turned out as they did, do not really seem to have much meaning or significance for us today. One of these pieces is today’s passage, which relates some of the ongoing rivalry between Jacob and Esau, and gives us a clue as to where it led, but doesn’t seem very relevant for us today.

However, New Testament writers say it differently. They saw it as an instance of God’s sovereign choice, His choice in not choosing as we might do--looking at things like appearance or intellect or social standing--or, in this case, birth order, but choosing the most unlikely--indeed the one who least deserved it. After all, Jacob was the cheat, the scoundrel, the supplanter, not a nice fellow indeed. Even so, God chose him--and He chooses us as well. Go figure.

Today’s meditation raises a rather important and contemporary issue and question: with people’s opinions these days often so firmly entrenched and immovable that they can’t even hear each other, much less change or modify their views, how in the world can God ever get through? I’m presuming that He does, as division, especially in the church, is ‘not His thing’ and often within the church world the divisions are just as pronounced as elsewhere. So, then, how can God get through? And is there anything that we can do?

In a sense, the apostle Peter was already one step further in the process than many of his contemporaries. He was away from his home territory, which sometimes is a help. He was filled with the Holy Spirit, which is always a help. And, he was stayed with Simon the tanner, which may have been one of the prohibited occupations. And furthermore, he had been in prayer when he received the vision of the unclean beasts.

Anyway, I, for one, find these divisions depressing, but then am very fearful of ‘wading into’ some of the contentious topics for fear of what I encounter. So here, then, is why I pray for God’s intervention.

As it so happens, very often when we are terribly down or depressed, it can seem as if we are totally alone and as if the world has closed in on us. This is unfortunate--and rather sad--because this is the very time that we need people, that we need community. The two people on the road to Emmaus felt this way--until, that is, a certain stranger came alongside them and walked with them. Little did they realize that it was Jesus.

But, as it was for them, so it is with us. Jesus comes alongside us and walks with us in our times of sorrow and difficulty, which means that we are never, ever alone--even though it may seem so. And furthermore, just as Jesus in our story, helped them gain some perspective and helped them through it, so too He does for us, if only we will let Him.

As you have probably heard me say so many times before, stubbornness is epidemic in my family. Often we would rather try it ourselves and muddle through things rather than ask for help. Here, today, Jesus offers us relief from our burdens and our weariness--it is there for the taking--but only if we stop trying to take care of it for ourselves and accept His help.

Today’s meditation concerning Ananias and the future apostle Saul of Tarsus (Paul) is one that really challenges me. Just how do I respond when I receive a prompting that seems to be from the Lord and that seems utterly ridiculous? Especially when it takes me out of my comfort zone and asks me to do something that I have never tackled before. That Ananias was able to say ‘yes’, and to say this unconditionally, immediately and without reservation is quite a challenge and inspiration for me.