What should we do?
Easter 3, Year A
Crowds gathered to hear Peter talk about Jesus. (Acts2:14a, 36-41) Peter reminded them of Jesus’ wise instructions, miraculous acts, authentic preaching, and gracious interactions. Then Peter recounted the events of Jesus’ trail and execution. The people were moved by Peter's witness, but stricken because of their complicity in Jesus’ demise. As soon as Peter stopped speaking, the people pleaded with him, “Tell us, what should we do?” You may have asked similar questions when you were overwhelmed, in despair, or confused.
In the wake of Jesus’ death, the disciples were overwhelmed, in despair, and confused. Because they did not know what to do, they hid behind locked doors and left the female disciples to prepare Jesus’ body for burial. Some disciples gave up and went home. Some abandoned the vocation Jesus called them to perform (teaching and healing) and returned to their secular jobs. Cleopas (Luke 24:13-35) is a “poster child” for the disciples’ reactions. Cleopas was among those who left Jerusalem. Unbeknownst to Cleopas and the disciples in his company, the resurrected Jesus walked and talked with them as they journeyed home on the road to Emmaus. Jesus asked them, “What are you talking about?” Shocked and grieved, Cleopas responded,
"Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days? …About Jesus of Nazareth, a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our religious and political leaders condemned him to death and crucified him. We thought that he was the one to redeem Israel. Luke 24:19-21
The apostles and disciples expected Jesus to redeem Israel? The people Jesus called to follow him assumed he would restore religious integrity as well as the political independence, economic strength, and military might Page 1 Easter 3, Year A 23 April 2023 of their nation. They expected Jesus to make Israel great again. We also fall into this trap when we expect religious leaders (bishop or priest) to grow church membership and generate donations. We give into this temptation when we look for political officials (president or senator) to preserve democracy, reduce the national debt, protect the environment, and keep prices under control. We even expect clinicians (our doctor or therapist) to make us healthy. While it is a natural look for solutions to problems that are too big for us to handle from people we consider smarter, stronger, and wiser than we are. It is also a mistake: a mistake that causes us to abdicate our responsibilities; a mistake that leads us to discount the power of God.
As they walked and talked on the road to Emmaus, Jesus told Cleopas and the other disciples their expectations were wrong. He challenged their mistaken assumptions.
Oh, how foolish you are… and how slow of heart to believe what God has communicated over and over through the prophets! Then beginning with Moses, he interpreted for them the things about Messiah in all the scriptures. Luke 24:25-26
Elsewhere in the Gospels Jesus communicated this same truth in one simple and profound sentence.
“For mortals much is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26
Peter, who had denied Jesus and was invited back into ministry by Jesus, had come to understand this truth. Peter, with every fiber of his being understood for God, all things are possible. When the people listening to Peter pleaded with him, asking what they should do, Peter told them to “repent and be baptized.” Peter urged them to exchange doubt for trust, to trade personal despair for holy hope, and to surrender and rest in God’s power.
Overwhelming experiences can cause despair and confusion. Like the people who heard Peter speak we ask, what should we do? What can we do about federal policies that use deportation to manage immigration? What should we do when our country destroys small boats with missiles without proof the occupants are transporting drugs? How should we respond when men and women (our sons and grandson, our daughters and grand daughters) in the armed services us their training and weapons to change regimes in Venezuela or bomb schools in Iran because of faulty intelligence? We expect someone to make sure there are people to harvest the food we eat and care for our dependents. We assume people in power can and should deal effectively with the things too big for us to handle. Our despair and confusion, as it did for the disciples, can move us to look for quick fixes or give up and go home.
When circumstances cause us to ask, what should we do? Remember Peter’s counsel: exchange doubt for trust, trade in personal despair for holy hope, surrender and rest in God’s power. When you wonder what you should do as you walk on the present day road to Emmaus, remember Jesus is walking with you and is ready to explain things to you. Jesus told Cleopas
Suffering is part of life. …it was, therefore, necessary that the Messiah should suffer before then enter into glory. Luke 24:26
In Jesus God is both Savior and Companion. Partnering with Jesus we can address problems (even those that overwhelm). In partnership with Jesus we can endure suffering (even unrelenting hardship). For with God, all things are possible.
