Lectionary Ruminations for Sunday, April 25, 2010, the Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year C)

Posted each Thursday, Lectionary Ruminations focuses on the Scripture Readings, taken from the New Revised Standard Version, for the following Sunday per the Revised Common Lectionary. Comments and questions are intended to encourage reflection for readers preparing to teach, preach, or hear the Word. Reader comments are invited and encouraged. All lectionary links are to the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible via the PC(USA) Devotions and Readings website, but if you prefer another translation, feel free to use that instead. (Other references are linked to the NRSV via the oremus Bible Browser.)

Acts 9:36-43
The raising of Tabitha/ Dorcas. Is this the only resurrection narrative in the NT not directly involving Jesus?

v. 36 Note that this female is referred to as “a disciple”.

v. 38 Did Peter have a reputation for healing and resurrections?

v. 40 Why did Peter “put all of them outside”? If they were all outside, Peter is the only person that could have reported all the events narrated here.

v. 41 At his point in acts, who are “the saints”? What is the difference between a saint and a disciple?

Psalm 23:1-6
What more can be said about one of the most popular and well known passages in the Scriptures?

v. 1 Please note that the “LORD” is the Holy One of Israel and not a reference to Jesus, even though most Christians probably hear and read it as referring to Jesus.

v. 6 Dwelling in the house of the Lord is something that happens in this life and is not something reserved for life after death. Is the “house of the LORD” a reference to the Temple?

Revelation 7:9-17
I am calling my sermon on this passage “God’s United Nations”. Living in Queens, NY is sort of like living amidst a great multitude from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, but far fewer than that worship the Holy One of Israel.

v. 9 “A great multitude that no one could count” is not the same as the exact but symbolic 144,000, or is it?

v. 12 Sevenfold praise

v.14 This verse always intrigues. While blood stains are one of the hardest stains to remove from clothing, those in the great multitude are wearing robes made white by washing them in the blood of the lamb. I am surprised there is not bleach on the market labeled “Blood of the Lamb” bleach.

v. 16 What does this verse remind you of?

v. 17 Reversals of reversals, the lamb becomes a shepherd, and now we are back to the 23rd Psalm.

John 10:22-30
v. 22 What is the theological significance that this encounter took place during the festival of dedication?

v. 26 “You do not believe because you do not belong to my sheep.” Should it not be “You do not belong to my sheep because you do not believe.”? Another reason why Psalm 23 is the Psalm for this day.