Gathering at the Waters -- A Lectionary Reflection for Easter 6C
Acts 16:9-15
Revelation 21:10; 21:22-22:5
John 5:1-9
Gathering at the Waters
Whether we go to an ocean beach,
walk along a lake shore or traverse a river, there is something powerfully refreshing
and renewing about water. Water figures
often in the biblical story. Seas and
rivers must be divided so peoples can cross to the other side, so a new age can
begin. Baptism serves a similar
function. We go into the waters as one
person, and come out the other side a new person. Waters have healing properties, or at least
it appears that God uses water to provide healing. Such is the case with two of the lectionary
texts for the week. As we hear these
texts, what is the message to be found in the waters?
The previous lectionary reading from
Acts 11 signaled a sea-change in the ministry of the church. Having spread from Jerusalem out into Judea
and Samaria, after the baptism of Cornelius’ household the focus moves to the
Gentile mission. The Gospel will move
out toward the ends of the earth. We
jump with Paul straight into this Gentile Mission. The first Council is now in the past. Some agreements have been made to legitimize
in the eyes of the Jerusalem church Paul’s ministry. He has a new ministry partner – Silas – and they’re
trying to explore new territories in Asia Minor, but for some reason the Spirit
of God is impeding their progress (Acts 16:6-8). You get the sense that Paul and his
companions are frustrated. They don’t
know where to go, but then Paul has a vision.
A man from Macedonia appears and invites Paul to come to Macedonia, to
cross the Aegean, and take up a new ministry in Europe. Another boundary, a geographic one, must be
crossed. So they immediately set out by
ship, landing at Neapolis, and from there head toward Philippi, a leading city
and a Roman colony. Mention of its
status may signal Paul’s ultimate destination – the imperial capital.
Water figures again in the biblical story
when Paul and his companions arrive at Philippi. Paul and his companions go to the river,
seeking a place to pray. The Greek word proseuchē can mean both a place of
prayer and synagogue. What Paul is
looking for isn’t clear, but when he goes to the river he finds a group of
women gathered for prayer. Among them is
Lydia, who is described as a Gentile God-worshiper. She’s also a merchant who deals in purple
cloth. Whether that means she’s wealthy
or not is a matter of speculation. But,
in this moment, gathered at the river, she hears the Gospel and the “Lord
enabled her to embrace Paul’s message.” Having
received the word, Lydia prevails upon Paul and has companions to receive her
hospitality and stay at her home. Paul
graciously receives this offer of hospitality.
This brief story reveals few details, but it is a reminder that God is
directing the mission. God has a vision,
and the actors in this drama are moving along as God is opening and closing the
doors.
I will move on to the reading from
John’s Gospel. Jesus is in Jerusalem for
a festival, and as he enters the city he comes to a pool of water, the pool of
Bethsaida. It is a pool of water known
for its healing properties. Those
needing healing would gather there, hoping to enter the waters and receive
healing. As Jesus passes by he notices a
man who according to John had been there at the pool side for thirty-eight
years. Such a long time waiting, but
nothing to show for it.
Jesus asks the man – “Do you want to
be healed?” What a silly question. That’s would been hoping for these
thirty-eight years. Of course, Jesus was
asking for him to express his desire.
The man says, sure, but I don’t have anyone here to put me in the water
when it’s stirred. Apparently the healing
waters are only available occasionally – when God stirs them – and only for one
person at a time. There is, it would
seem, competition for these healing properties.
Jesus tells the man – well just pick up your mat and get up and
walk. And “immediately the man was well.” What is interesting about this passage is the
Jesus doesn’t wait for the man to have faith.
The healing is pronounced ahead of any sense of faith. This is an act of divine grace. And it occurs on a Sabbath, which raises the
question – what is the purpose of Sabbath, if not restoration of body and soul.
Finally we come to the word from
Revelation. John enters a “Spirit-inspired
trance.” He views the city of Jerusalem
coming down from heavens. And as he
looks at this city – the New Jerusalem – he notices that there isn’t a Temple.
That’s because God and the Lamb of God is the Temple. There isn’t a sun or moon, because the glory
of God shines on the city. The nations
gather in this city, and peace is present.
The gates are never closed.
Nothing unclean is present. I
wonder, is it because the unclean have been excluded, or is it because God has declared
all things to be clean? The reason for
separation is past. All peoples find
their hope in the One whose glory and light fills the city.
And then there is the river of life –
the waters at which we shall gather.
This river flows from the throne of God and the Lamb, down through the
middle of the city. The Tree of Life
sits on both sides of the river, providing crops each month to feed the city –
so no hunger – and its leaves bringing healing to the nations. And when we gather at the river we’ll sing:
“Shall we gather at the river, where bright angel feet have trod, with its crystal tide forever flowing by the throne of God? Yes, we’ll gather at the river, the beautiful, the beautiful river; gather with the saints at the river that flows by the throne of God.” (Robert Lowry).
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