Today’s scripture: Acts 4:1-20 (NRSV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me in this passage? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two before reading on.
My thoughts on this passage (Tyler Connoley):
In the last chapter of The Children Are Free, Jeff and I talk about the many ways God’s spirit has expanded religious peoples’ ideas of who’s “in” and who’s “out.” In that chapter we point out how often minds have been changed simply because God’s spirit has moved in such a powerful way that religious conservatives can no longer deny that God approves of “those people.”
This is what is happening in today’s reading. Although everything in their theology and their understanding of Scripture tells the Pharisees that Peter and John are wrong, the facts make it impossible for the Pharisees not to accept the truth of God’s expansive vision. They say, “What will we do with them? For it is obvious to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable sign has been done through them; we cannot deny it.”
I believe this is the message God is sending through Jesus MCC to the people of Indianapolis and beyond. Such great things are happening at this church that religious conservatives can’t deny the power of God’s presence here.
In that last chapter of The Children Are Free, Jeff and I make a challenge to anyone who doesn’t believe gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people are fully welcomed by God. We say, “Worship with us just once, and see if you don’t experience the presence of the Holy Spirit among us.”
We go on to say, “Something wonderful is happening at Jesus Metropolitan Community Church . . . We can give testimony to the ‘signs and wonders’ God is performing in our midst every day.”
Thought for the day: What signs can you point to that God is performing at Jesus MCC or in your own church? Celebrate the power of God’s Spirit at work in your midst — a power that cannot be denied.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to start, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.