"Save Yourselves From This Crooked Generation!"

"Let Israel then know for sure that GOD has made LORD and CHRIST this JESUS whom you crucified.

When they heard this, they were deeply troubled.  And they asked Peter and the other apostles, 'What shall we do, brothers?'

Peter answered, 'Each of you must repent and be baptized in the name of JESUS CHRIST, so that your sins may be forgiven.  Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For the promise of GOD was made to you and your children, and to all those from afar whom our GOD may call.'

With many other words Peter gave the message and appealed to them saying, 'Save yourselves from this crooked generation.'  So those who accepted his word were baptized; some three thousand persons were added to their number that day." - Acts 2:36-41  

 

(What shall we do?  Repent.  In those days, to repent and to be converted meant to share the life of the infant Church which showed to the nation the way of salvation taught by JESUS.  The Church did not appear as a new religion opposed to Judaism, but a center of more authentic life.

Repent.  Peter uses these words of JESUS at the beginning of his speech [Matthew 4:17] - the Church is beginning to fall into the steps of JESUS - now it is no longer a question of receiving the baptism of John the Baptist, which was only a ritual of purification, highlighting the desire to repent.  We must receive baptism "in the Name of JESUS".

Save yourselves from this crooked generation.  This means that the entire generation was missing the unique opportunity they were given.  For GOD asked them to take the most decisive step in Sacred History; even Roman oppression could be overcome by a people able to put the Gospel into practice.  At the same time JESUS made them discover the love of GOD the FATHER for which the whole Bible had prepared them.

Some three thousand were added to their number.  They already knew of JESUS but were not committed to HIM.  They were converted by the common action of the Holy Spirit and the apostles.  A church in which signs of the Spirit acting could not be seen could not say that JESUS lives in her midst.)  

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The Resurrection Of CHRIST Is The Pivotal Point Of The Gospel

"In fear, yet with great joy, the women left the tomb and ran to tell the news to HIS disciples.

Suddenly, JESUS met them on the way and said, 'Rejoice!'  The women approached HIM, embraced HIS feet and worshiped HIM.  But JESUS said to them, 'Do not be afraid!  Go and tell MY brothers to set out for Galilee; there, they will see ME.'

As the women proceeded on their way, some of the guards went into the city, and reported to the chief priests all that had happened.  The chief priests met with the elders and decided to give the soldiers a large sum of money, with this order, 'Say that HIS disciples came by night while you were asleep and stole the body of JESUS.  If Pilate comes to know of this, we will explain the situation and keep you out of trouble.'  The soldiers accepted the money and did as they were told.  This story has circulated among the Jews until this day." - Matthew 28:8-15 

In fear, yet with great joy, the women left the tomb and ran to tell the news to HIS disciples.

(Suddenly, JESUS met them on the way.  It is obvious that Matthew is combining two different events; one, the discovery of the empty tomb, and the other, which happened later on, the apparition of JESUS to Mary Magdalene alone as related in John 20:11-18.

Set out for Galilee.  Why did JESUS say this date if HE was going to appear later that same day in Jerusalem? [Luke 24:13-42].  It is not clear.  Probably the evangelists combined several apparitions to simplify their narration.  Anyway, time was needed for the apostles to believe in the Resurrection and understand something about it.  After the two apparitions in Jerusalem, in which JESUS tried to convince them that HE was not a phantom or a spirit, they would have to return to their provinces and environments, far away from the city that had caused them such trauma, in order to ponder what they had experienced.  In Galilee, JESUS will manifest HIMSELF differently, making them understand that HE is already glorified, that HIS existence is earthly no more.

The resurrection of CHRIST is the pivotal point of the Gospel; yet Matthew reports it briefly.  Why?  Because when Matthew wrote his Gospel, the Resurrection was considered too great an event to put into writing: rather, it should be proclaimed and witnessed to by the Spirit at work in the Christian communities.

Are we in a different situation?  The Church that talks of the Risen Christ should never be a powerful Church but a Risen Church.  If the Church finds itself in a situation where there is no apparent hope of salvation, yet it is revived by the power of GOD; if in each generation the Church seems doomed to die because of its ancient structures, its worldly ways or the persecution it undergoes, yet it is nevertheless given new energies and new apostles by the LORD, then the Church is a witness that the LORD has risen and has given her the power to rise.) 

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Seek The Things That Are Above

"So then, if you are risen with CHRIST, seek the things that are above, where CHRIST is seated at the right hand of GOD.  Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the earthly things.  For you have died and your life is now hidden with CHRIST in GOD.  When CHRIST, who is your life, reveals HIMSELF, you also will be revealed with HIM in glory." - Colossians 3:1-4 

(Here we have what was said about baptism which joins us to CHRIST and makes us share in all HIS wealth.  Since CHRIST left this earth, we leave it too:  what is best in our lives, what motivates us to do things in neither visible, nor is it of the earth.  GOD alone knows the riches of the believer's heart, even when her/his life seems tarnished by various faults and weaknesses:  one day GOD will manifest the goodness, the "glory" which we do not yet see.)

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"Why Do The People Of This Present Time Ask For A Sign?"

"The Pharisees came and started to argue with JESUS.  Hoping to embarrass HIM, they asked for some heavenly sign.  Then HIS spirit was moved.  HE gave a deep sigh and said, 'Why do the people of this present time ask for a sign?  Truly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this people.'  Then HE left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side of the lake." - Mark 8:11-13  

 

(The Pharisees want a miracle that will undoubtedly be the work of GOD.  No sign will be given them.  JESUS refuses to prove HIS authority by multiplying miracles.  People who love truth and seek what is right will recognize the seal of GOD in the deeds of JESUS--and of HIS followers--no matter how many speak ill of them.

The sign of Jonah is the resurrection of JESUS.  Yet this resurrection that is the most decisive sign, will be understandable only to the believers.  Thus, people who demand miracles before they will believe, receive no answer.)

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"HE Makes HIMSELF An Offering For Sin!"

 "Yet it was the will of YAHWEH to crush HIM with grief.

When HE makes HIMSELF an offering for sin,

HE will have a long life and see HIS descendants.

Through HIM the will of YAHWEH is done.

For the anguish HE suffered,

HE will see the light and obtain perfect knowledge.

MY just servant will justify the multitude;

HE will bear and take away their guilt."

- Isaiah 53:10-11

(HE makes HIMSELF an offering for sin.  In several passages of the Scriptures, we are invited to adopt this same attitude when we suffer unjustly [1 Peter 1:20; 4:13].  CHRIST alone has perfectly fulfilled this redemptive mission from the beginning to the end of HIS life [Hebrews 10; John 2:29; Romans 5:6].

MY just servant will justify the multitude: that is to say, HE will make them just and holy.  The Hebrew text reads "the many," which means the multitude.  JESUS refers to this text at the Last Supper: "MY blood poured out for many," or for everyone [Mark 14:24].  There JESUS clearly says that HIS death is the free and perfect sacrifice foretold in this song.)

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JESUS Proclaims HIS Mission At Nazareth

"JESUS acted with the power of the Spirit, and on HIS return to Galilee the news about HIM spread throughout all that territory.  HE began teaching in the synagogues of the Jews and everyone praised HIM." - Luke 4:14-15  

 

(JESUS returns home in the company of some of John's followers who become HIS own disciples and HE performs HIS first sign in Cana.  This miracle launches HIS ministry.  From Capernaum, where JESUS lives in the house of Simon and Andrew, near the lake, JESUS begins to preach in the synagogues of Galilee and HIS words impress people because HE works with the power of the Spirit, namely, HE speaks with authority and HIS miracles confirm HIS words.

HE began teaching in the synagogues.  JESUS does not begin by preaching to the crowds who know nothing of HIM; instead, for months HE makes HIMSELF known in the synagogues.) 

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The Last Supper

"Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went off to the chief priests and said, 'How much will you give me if I hand HIM over to you?  They promised to give him thirty pieces of silver, and from then on, he kept looking for the best way to hand HIM over to them.

On the first day of the Festival of the Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to JESUS and said to HIM, 'Where do YOU want us to prepare the Passover meal for YOU?  JESUS answered, 'Go into the city, to the house of a certain man, and tell him: 'The Master says: MY hour is near, and I will celebrate the Passover with MY disciples in your house.'

The disciples did as JESUS had ordered and prepared the Passover meal.

When it was evening, JESUS sat at table with the Twelve.  While they were eating, JESUS said, 'Truly, I say to you: one of you will betray ME.'  They were deeply distressed and asked HIM in turn, 'YOU do not mean me, do YOU, LORD?

HE answered, 'He who will betray ME is one of those who dips his bread in the dish with ME.  The Son of Man is going as the Scriptures say HE will.  But alas for that one who betrays the Son of Man; better for him not to have been born.'  Judas, who was betraying HIM, also asked, 'YOU do not mean me, Master, do YOU?'  JESUS replied, 'You have said it'." - Matthew 26:14-25 

 

(During the Passover supper JESUS wanted to clarify the meaning of HIS imminent Passion.  HE was headed toward a death which HE freely accepted, a death that would save the world.  What would "HIS" salvation be?  It would bring human history to its fulfillment: peoples and races needed to mature, to confront one another and finally to be united in one body.  The world would pass through a thousand crises and deaths in order to come to the resurrection.  Within such a history GOD could spread and distribute the riches of HIS Spirit and bring to holiness HIS elect.  JESUS had presented a message that should guide humanity, but a people of GOD was also needed, a yeast, a minority who would feel committed to GOD's work, and to whom GOD would commit HIMSELF.

To understand the meaning of the LORD's Supper, it is necessary to read JESUS' farewell speeches to HIS apostles, which John situates on this very night of Holy Thursday [John 14-17].  JESUS came not only to preach but also to spread HIS Spirit among HIS believers.  In the future HE would be present and empower them in a special way whenever they would gather to celebrate the Holy Supper.  John explains this in John 6 and Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:17.)

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YAHWEH Called Me From My Mother's Womb

"Listen to me, O islands,

pay attention, peoples from distant lands.

YAHWEH called me from my mother's womb;

HE pronounced my name before I was born.

HE made my mouth like a sharpened sword.

HE hid me in the shadow of HIS hand.

HE made me into a polished arrow

set apart in HIS quiver.

HE said to me, 'You are Israel, MY servant,

Through you I will be known.'

'I have labored in vain, I thought

and spent my strength for nothing.'

Yet what is due me was in the hand of YAHWEH,

and my reward was with my GOD.

I am important in the sight of YAHWEH,

and my GOD is my strength.

And now YAHWEH has spoken,

HE who formed me in the womb to be HIS servant,

to bring Jacob back to HIM,

to gather Israel to HIM.

HE said: 'Tis not enough

that you be MY servant,

to restore the tribes of Jacob,

to bring back the remnant of Israel.

I will make you the light of the nations,

that MY salvation will reach to the ends of the earth'."

- Isaiah 49:1-6

(Who is speaking in these verses?  They are the Judean exiles at Babylon [some years later they will be called the Jews].  And it is not a lamentation but rather a thanksgiving to GOD who has chosen them in a very special way for a unique mission.

The hope and the future of Israel have been entrusted to them, not to those remaining in the motherland.  Soon they will return and gather the remnant of the tribes of Jacob, which means not only their kins in the ex-kingdom of Judah, but also the other in the northern kingdom.

From that moment on the dream of a final gathering of the whole people of GOD enters the Bible, and Gospel will announce that this goal will be achieved through and in CHRIST: John 11:52.

But there is more, for GOD wants this small group of exiles to bring to the nations the light of salvation.  This marks the opening of the times of mission.  The Jews will be the messengers of the only GOD and of HIS law in the world.  Those who welcome CHRIST will call on the pagans to the faith and Spirit will be bestowed to them [Galatians 3:14].  A humiliated people will be YAHWEH's hidden arrow, HIS definitive weapon: through them GOD will unbare HIS madness which is wiser than human wisdom [1 Corinthians 1:21].

YAHWEH called me from my mother's womb.  These were Jeremiah's words.  All that follows can be interpreted both of the believing minority or of the one who fully lives a prophetic vocation.  Is the servant a single person, or is he a people of prophets?  The apostles of JESUS quickly understood that the present text applied first to HIM.  HE is the Word and the two-edged sword [Hebrew 4:12; Revelations 19:15].

Paul in turn will take for himself these verses: Galatians 1:14; Acts 13:47; 2 Corinthians 10:4, 12:8.  This double interpretation, personal and collective, should not surprise us for the unique Savior is never a lonely savior.  JESUS wanted to be identified with those who believe, who suffer and persevere to prepare for the salvation of the world.)

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The Supper At Bethany

"Six days before the Passover, JESUS came to Bethany, where HE had raised Lazarus, the dead man, to life.  Now they gave a dinner for HIM, and while Martha waited on them, Lazarus sat at the table with JESUS.

Then Mary took a pound of costly perfume, made from genuine spikenard, and anointed the feet of JESUS, wiping them with her hair.  And the whole house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

Judas Iscariot--the disciple who was to betray JESUS--remarked, 'This perfume could have been sold for three hundred silver coins, and the money given to the poor.'  Judas, indeed, had no concern for the poor; he was a thief, and as he held the common purse, he used to help himself to the funds.

But JESUS spoke up, 'Leave her alone.  Was she not keeping it for the day of MY burial?  [The poor you always have with you, but you will not always have ME.]'

Many Jews heard that JESUS was there, and they came, not only because of JESUS, but also to see Lazarus whom HE had raised from the dead.  So, the chief priests thought about killing Lazarus as well, for many of the Jews were drifting away because of him and believing in JESUS." - John 12:1-11 

(Matthew and Mark also relate the incident at a supper when Mary showed her passionate love for JESUS.  She loved HIM with all her strength, and her love, far from blinding her, made her sense and respect the mysterious personality of JESUS.

Not all the apostles understood her gesture, because they still had much to learn about loving CHRIST.

Like Judas we often speak of giving to the poor.  Yet the LORD's command is not to give but to love.  To love the poor is to reveal to them their call from GOD, and to help them grow as persons by overcoming their weaknesses and divisions and by fulfilling the mission GOD entrusted to them.  The poor will live the Gospel and witness to it in the world.  If we are not among them, we need conversion and true poverty to discover with them the kingdom.  How can we really love the poor unless we have passionate love for JESUS?  When we do not, we prefer to speak only of giving to the poor.)

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HE Did Not Regard Equality With GOD!

"Though HE was in the form of GOD,

HE did not regard equality with GOD as something to be grasped,

but emptied HIMSELF,

taking on the nature of a servant, made in human likeness,

and, in HIS appearance, found, as a man,

HE humbled HIMSELF by being obedient, to death,

death on the cross.

That is why GOD exalted HIM 

and gave HIM the name which outshines all names,

so, that, at the name of JESUS all knees should bend

in heaven, on earth and among the dead,

and all tongues proclaim, that CHRIST JESUS is the LORD,

to the glory of GOD the FATHER.

- Philippians 2:6-11

(HE did not regard equality with GOD: the mystery of GOD's Son who became a mortal man and gave up GOD's glory, although HE could have preserved it even in HIS human life.  Since CHRIST was to be the New Man, glorified by GOD and placed above everything, HIS being subject to misery and limitations was a way of being reduced to nothingness.

GOD exalted HIM.  The humiliation and obedience of CHRIST were the condition for receiving HIS glory.  HE gave HIM the name [of GOD], that is, HE made HIM fully enjoy in HIS human nature the divine Power [or name].)

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