not to us

James, the half-brother of Christ who refused to believe.  Who mocked and scorned.  Who was denied by Christ.

James, the devout Jew.  Committed as only one who took the Nazarite vow could've been.

James, the pillar of the early Christian Church.  Who penned a letter to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations.

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Beth Moore asked me to consider the fact that we have several details about Jesus' post-resurrection appearances to many people like Mary Magdalene, the disciples, the 500, even Paul.  But there are two people who had post-resurrection experiences with Christ, and we have almost no detail whatsoever about their meetings: Peter and James.  Men who had denied him.  Men that became leaders, pillars even, of the Church.

Could it be that Jesus protected them?  Kept the confrontation private?  Covered a multitude of sin with love?

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Just a few days later, I'm studying the Jerusalem Council, and I'm considering the fact that Paul, a former persecuter of the early church, has come to Jerusalem to meet with Peter and James and the other apostles.  Ruminating over the fact that only the Holy Spirit could usher in the kind of forgiveness it would take to join in ministry with a man who condoned the murder of one of your closest friends, I can't help but notice that James, a very devout Jew (largely believed to have taken the Nazarite Vow), stands up boldly for his Gentile brothers and sisters in Christ.

He strictly states that no Gentile man need be circumsized.  However, he hands down four guidelines.  Half of the guidelines relate to food.  Why?  Beth Moore suggests that it was in order to preserve unity at the common table. 

This hunch is given strenght in the words of the letter sent back to the Gentiles with Paul and some delegates from the Church of Jerusalem, "We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds."  (Acts 15:24)  The Church of Jerusalem not only sends a letter back with Paul, but they send two delegates to bear witness to the authenticity of the letter.

A group of Jews, who just a few years earlier wouldn't have spoken a word to Gentiles, send two of their own men to comfort and settle the minds of their Gentile brothers.

REALLY?  Hundreds of years of cultural enmity are overcome by a common faith in Jesus Christ?

I literally wrote, "Wow! Wow! Wow!" in my workbook.

And I end the week of study by reading Ephesians 2:14-18:

• For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations.  His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.  He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Do you catch that?  Jesus came to reconcile us to each other and then to reconcile us all, as one humanity, to God.

Peace and unity are themes that show up over and over and over again in the lives and teachings of Jesus and his followers.

I have been pondering this miracle for days now, and I am still overwhelmed by the power of the Holy Spirit to bring about these things.  This is my spiritual ancestry...men and women who put aside lifetimes of hostility and judgment to stand together and praise the One who lived and died for them.  

Amazing.

Now to him who has already done immeasurably more than we could possibly ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.  Amen.  ~Ephesians 3:20-21, my version