Sharing Christ-Presence

Sharing Christ-Presence

Acts. 3:1-10

St Francis of Assisi once planned a series of sermon on the streets. Francis and his disciples began their journey. However, his disciples were surprised that Francis did not preach anywhere but remained silent till the end of their journey. As soon as they reached back to their ashram the disciples asked why was he silent during the journey. For which St. Francis replied that their journey itself was a sermon.

Life is a journey. Each moment in our journey communicates some message. The text we have just read talks about a spiritual journey of the apostles to the temple in which people witnessed Jesus through the life of apostles. Hence I have chosen the theme on Witnessing Christ, that is sharing Christ-presence. 

Acts of Apostles or acts of Holy Spirit is a collection of events happened in the early church. Pheme Perkins, a New Testament theologian says Acts of apostles should be treated equally with gospels since this book is the continuation of the gospel narrative. And the role of Holy Spirit is very much significant in the life and ministry of early church.  We read in Acts chapter 2 that Apostles were filled Holy Spirit. And by the power of Holy Spirit they exercised their authority. 

The read text, begins with the healing of a lame man. It is the first miracle recorded in this book. While Peter and John were entering into the temple, the lame man saw them and asked for alms. Luke introduces this man as lame by birth. He had no name as an identity rather his sickness was his only identity, and so he had to depend, for his livelihood, on the alms received from those who came to worship in the temple. He was not allowed to be a part of the worshipping community. He was always outside the temple. When the apostles saw him they decided to give him complete redemption, from his suffering, by sharing Christ’s presence to him. This sharing leads to two major aspects.  

Firstly Healing through sharing Christ-presence

Warren W Wiersbe in his book, On being a servant of God writes that “In ministry, we’re called to live for others’’. Ministry is not just another way of making a living; it’s a wonderful opportunity for making a life, a life that’s lived for others. It’s an opportunity to be like the Lord Jesus Christ. When Jesus was on earth He met all human needs. A human always requires a human touch. Therefore each touch becomes a symbol of healing. Here Peter and John have transcended their response to a divine experience because they responded to the lame man by the power of Jesus Christ.

Jewish community excluded the sick from their community. They believed that sickness is the result of sin. Though the temple where the lame man sat was named Beautiful gate, but his life was not beautiful. He was rejected and neglected in his own community. It is at this stage that the apostles intervene and make his life more beautiful than ever.  

When Peter and John approached the lame man, they thought giving Jesus, as more important than anything else. Only this would help him to attain fullness in life. When they shared Christ-presence he got healed.   

This healing created wonder and amazement in the minds of the people who witnessed. They thought how this was possible by the apostles. This led to a discourse among the religious leaders and Peter, which can be seen in verses commencing from 11. Peter emphasised the redeeming power of Jesus. Later we read that many who followed apostles on their journey brought forth the sick in the streets. They believed at least the shadow of the apostle could provide healing for the sick. (Acts :5:15)

Temple was supposed to be the place of healing but his healing was neglected by the religious authorities. The role of the Church is to be a channel for healing in this wounded world. Therefore every engagement that we do in our day to day life should lead to healing.

Here we have two options one is to ignore the needs of our fellow beings or to respond empathetically to their needs.

Second, Transformation through sharing Christ-presence

The healing of the lame man was not just a physical healing but rather a transformation which is beyond the concept of restoration. The man who was sitting outside the temple gets inside the temple. The one who was sick from childhood became a healed person. The one who begged and cried for money became joyful. In verse 8 we read that he accompanied apostles in the temple after his healing. He started praising in the temple. It proves that nobody is lost. No man can have fixed inhibitions about life. God can transform anybody in any situations.   

We read a same kind of experience in Emmaus journey narrative. When the disciples were leaving Jerusalem the presence of Jesus transformed their mind to invite Jesus into their fellowship. And this further led them to identify the saviour and to return back to Jerusalem and share the gospel. When we read the passion narrative and post resurrection events of Jesus we see that apostles themselves had a transformation. The one who denied Jesus became a courageous disciple.

Another important aspect is that personal transformation leads to a transformation of the community. Acts 4:4 says that people who observed the life of the healed man believed in Jesus and followed him.

Once a group of missionaries decided to communicate the word of God in a new village by distributing tracts, books and audio visuals. But one of the group member suggested it is better to let a Christian family stay there than using any other tools. Life speaks more than words. The life and character of the Christian family would help in witnessing and sharing Christ to the whole community.

Similarly, the transformed life of every believer must influence the community for their transformation.    

Dr M M Thomas, in his book, a diaconial approach to indian ecclesiology said that all the functions of the church that is preaching (kerygma), teaching (didache), fellowship (koinonia), and service (diaconia) are interconnected. The integration of these four functions is clear in this text. Apostles preached, taught, gave fellowship and served the community. 

Based on our theme Sharing Christ-presence we discussed how Christ presence leads to healing and transformation of both the individual and the community. Lets ask to ourselves does our presence lead to healing and transformation of our fellow beings? What do we share when we engage with people, natures