There is a well-known understanding that history has a tendency to repeat itself. It might be in the area of fashion or music tastes. But what we see happening in the time of Paul in our first reading has unmistakable characteristics of history repeating itself today in regards to peoples’ understanding of or rather a lack of understanding of God. What Paul sees is a society not dissimilar to our own. Don’t we often hear that people are spiritual but not religious? Well, that’s what we seem to be seeing here. Don’t we hear of a disillusionment towards institutionalized religion and churches?
Here in our first reading we have Paul, in Athens, standing in front of the Areopagus saying, “Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. He went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of their worship and found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god’ Isn’t that the challenge before us today? An “unknown god” rather than a rejection of God. Admittedly, yes there are many who reject the belief in God completely, but, I believe that there is a significant and perhaps growing search for truth and meaning in life. As people become more and more disillusioned with life many are seeking a “higher power” to give them hope of there being more to life.
You might disagree with me but if this is the case, if there is an openness to a spiritual awakening then how do we connect people with the One True God as Jesus said last week: I am the Way, the Truth and the Life – no one comes to the Father except through me. Well, first of all, we need to understand that this is not something we can do on our own. There is the need to have the Holy Spirit enable us: Jesus said, ”If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.
Luther gives the same explanation in his Small Catechism: I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. Remember Peter. When he bravely and boldly declared to Jesus – even if everyone else abandons you, I NEVER WILL.
Peter was speaking on his own strength. And that’s why Jesus said to his disciples to not rush into witness their faith: Jesus said: repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” And notice the change in this frightened Peter once he had been clothed with the Holy Spirit: The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of Jesus’ blood.” Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!
What a difference from the one who denied Jesus 3 times now denying to keep silence. The difference – the Holy Spirit given at Pentecost. So we must pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit to empower everything we do as we GO into the world to witness.
The 2nd thing we need to learn is that we cannot argue someone to faith. You’ve probably seen the street preachers accusing people of their sins on the way to work or just going about their daily lives. You’ve probably had a knock on the door and it’s either the Mormons or Jehovah’s Witnesses. I’m not saying anything bad about them but it’s not always that effective unless you just so happen to catch a person who is at that time looking for something.
Peter gives much better advice: In your hearts revere Christ as Lord and always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that YOU have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
So, 3 things Peter highlights.
First, you revere Christ in your heart. Build up your faith – pray – read your Bibles – worship. Show your faith in all that you do every day in the way you treat others, not just at Church.
Secondly, as they say in the Boy Scouts – be prepared. Someone may see that your life is different.
As Jesus said before he was arrested – love one another as I have loved you and by this everyone will know that you’re my disciples. Be prepared that someone may ask you about the hope you have. Aren’t you worried about climate change – the wars in the world – the economic collapse. Or if you’re going through a tough time with your health they might ask you – aren’t you afraid of dying. As Peter said – Do not fear what they fear. Here is your opportunity to share your faith and explain how you’ve handed everything over to God who created you – who created everything that exists. That’s what Paul did in Athens at the Areopagus – He found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’
Paul then replied: What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. Notice Paul starts with Creation.
And thirdly Peter says: Do this with gentleness and respect. Don’t make them fell worse than they may already be feeling. Don’t come in with God’s Law if it’s God’s Gospel they need to hear. Now, it may not work.
You may get rejected. You may get ridiculed. But, again, remember what Peter says: But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. It’s not easy witnessing your faith and there may be an occasion where you need to preach a word of warning to someone as Paul did: God commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
But again, as Peter says – do this with gentleness and respect.
Friends, we have a great opportunity before us and possibly the ground has never been richer. There will be rocks and thorns and Satan against us but remember the parable of the sower – he kept sowing despite the harsh elements and some of those seeds fell on fertile ground producing a great harvest. And remember what Jesus said – the harvest is plentiful – the workers are few – therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest which is you and me wherever God sends us. But do this with gentleness and respect.
