In this season of Easter, we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. That is the central event, the focus of our attention. But there is another story that we follow in this season: the story of Jesus' followers. Jesus' appears to them several times and gradually they grasp the new reality: Jesus is alive. What is more important is what happens to them after the Resurrection. They change. Before they were followers; now they are leaders. They become Easter people.
Perhaps the most striking example of this change is Peter. In the stories that we hear in Holy Week, Peter is afraid, cowardly. He claims to be devoted to Jesus, even willing to die for him, but when things get tough, Peter weakens. He turns away from Jesus, denying his relationship to the one whom he called Lord and Teacher.
In today's lesson from Acts, we see a changed Peter. He is preaching to a large crowd of people. He claims Jesus to be the Messiah. He charges the crowd with responsibility for Jesus' death. When they ask what they can do, he tells them to repent and be baptized. And, we learn, after hearing Peter’s words, about a thousand people are baptized.
In this season, we too become Easter people. May we draw strength from the examples of Peter and the other disciples. May we resolve to live out our baptismal promises. To love one another. To treat every human being with respect. To work for peace and justice in the world.
Deacon Sue Nebel+
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