2026-05-03 Fifth Sunday of Easter
2026-05-03 Fifth Sunday of Easter
Acts 6:1—7
Acts chapters 1 through 5 describe matters of the Holy Temple, whereas chapter 6 talks about the early Jewish converts.
Jerusalem was a vibrant city with Jews from every nation under the sun. The native Aramaic-speaking Jews were probably the majority and the diaspora who had migrated from outside Judea and Samaria, referred to as Hellenistic Jews who spoke Greek, were a minority.
There was a dispute involving the equal distribution of responsibility and honour between widows of the local “Hebrew” and the immigrant “Hellenists.”
The Apostles ask the community to select seven immigrant Hellenist men to serve at table, while they themselves focused on spreading the Gospel. This passage therefore marks the unofficlal beginning of deaconship.
All seven have Greek, not Hebrew, names: Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and one, Nicolaus from Antioch, who was a convert, a former polytheist who converted to Judaism. Consider how this passage of The Acts models reparative justice for excluded groups by bringing them to there centre of the solution.
Jerusalem was a vibrant city with Jews from every nation under the sun. The native Aramaic-speaking Jews were probably the majority and the diaspora who had migrated from outside Judea and Samaria, referred to as Hellenistic Jews who spoke Greek, were a minority.
There was a dispute involving the equal distribution of responsibility and honour between widows of the local “Hebrew” and the immigrant “Hellenists.”
The Apostles ask the community to select seven immigrant Hellenist men to serve at table, while they themselves focused on spreading the Gospel. This passage therefore marks the unofficlal beginning of deaconship.
All seven have Greek, not Hebrew, names: Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and one, Nicolaus from Antioch, who was a convert, a former polytheist who converted to Judaism. Consider how this passage of The Acts models reparative justice for excluded groups by bringing them to there centre of the solution.
Pslam 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
Psalm 33 is a hymn of praise that calls the righteous to rejoice in God's steadfast love which fills the earth. It is also one of the only four psalms that lack a title along with psalms 1, 2 and 10.
Verse 1 also tells us that “praise is comely for the upright”. There are many emotions that can grip our hearts. We can be overcome with pride, hate, malice, anger, envy, unforgiveness, and a host of other harmful emotions. No emotion is as elegant, as beneficial, or as beautiful as a heart that is filled with praise for the Lord.
Verse 2 calls on us to use our musical skills to praise Him. When instruments are played for His glory, it honours Him because music is another form of praise to the Lord.
Verses 4b-5 Everything God does is in “truth”. This implies “steadfastness”. We learn in verse 5 that He “loveth righteousness” and judgment”. This reminds us that He will bless those who honor His Word and He will judge those who abandon His Word. Verse 5 also teaches us that God’s goodness can be seen in all the word around us.
Verses 18-19 God tells us that the destinies of nations are in His hands. The decisions that will determine the course of this world are not made by worldly powers but are made in Heaven by the sovereign God Who occupies the throne as the Ruler of all things. But, while God sovereignly controls everything that takes place in His creation, He still has time for the individual.
Verse 1 also tells us that “praise is comely for the upright”. There are many emotions that can grip our hearts. We can be overcome with pride, hate, malice, anger, envy, unforgiveness, and a host of other harmful emotions. No emotion is as elegant, as beneficial, or as beautiful as a heart that is filled with praise for the Lord.
Verse 2 calls on us to use our musical skills to praise Him. When instruments are played for His glory, it honours Him because music is another form of praise to the Lord.
Verses 4b-5 Everything God does is in “truth”. This implies “steadfastness”. We learn in verse 5 that He “loveth righteousness” and judgment”. This reminds us that He will bless those who honor His Word and He will judge those who abandon His Word. Verse 5 also teaches us that God’s goodness can be seen in all the word around us.
Verses 18-19 God tells us that the destinies of nations are in His hands. The decisions that will determine the course of this world are not made by worldly powers but are made in Heaven by the sovereign God Who occupies the throne as the Ruler of all things. But, while God sovereignly controls everything that takes place in His creation, He still has time for the individual.
1 Peter 2:4-9
First Peter’s language of exile appropriates the terms of Jewish diaspora in the aftermath of Babylonian conquest to describe the early members of the Church by calling to mind Isaiah 28:16, Psalm 118:22 and Isaiah 8:13-14.
“You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (2:9). Citing terms and scriptures from Jewish texts and traditions, Peter summons together an audience that he describes as dispersed exiles and claims them, as a newly formed group, to be God’s holy chosen.
“You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (2:9). Citing terms and scriptures from Jewish texts and traditions, Peter summons together an audience that he describes as dispersed exiles and claims them, as a newly formed group, to be God’s holy chosen.
John 14:1-12
In the original Greek and the historical Hebrew context, "I am" echos the name of God revealed to Moses in Exodus ("I AM WHO I AM"). By using this specific phrasing, the Gospel of John presents Jesus not just as a teacher, but as divine in 7 different ways
- "I am the bread of life." (John 6:35) – Spoken after the feeding of the five thousand, emphasizing spiritual nourishment.
- "I am the light of the world." (John 8:12) – Delivered during the Feast of Tabernacles, representing guidance and truth.
- "I am the door of the sheep." (John 10:7) – Depicting himself as the exclusive entrance to safety and salvation.
- "I am the good shepherd." (John 10:11) – Highlighting his sacrificial love and care for his followers.
- "I am the resurrection and the life." (John 11:25) – Stated to Martha before the raising of Lazarus, showing power over death.
- "I am the way, the truth, and the life." (John 14:6) – Spoken to the disciples during the Last Supper as the path to God the Father.
- "I am the true vine." (John 15:1) – Describing the vital connection between himself (the vine) and his followers (the branches).
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