This week we have two of the most well-known scriptures as we begin this series on the Bible. Today we speak of scripture being the Primary Source. Scripture is the beginning place of knowing the attributes, the mystery, the awe and beauty of a creating God found in scripture, who has a relationship with all of creation including humanity. The Bible is a primary source when discussing spiritual matters, the Christian life and faith as it relates to Judeo Christian history and practice.
The scriptures lifted up this week for your consideration fit the notion as primary sources. Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm in the Bible. It is an acrostic poem, where each of the lines in a section start with a letter in the Hebrew Alphabet. Each letter begins a section of eight lines or verses that relate to that first line in the section. Acrostic Poems are beautiful as they express their message in a very artful way. In this Psalm the author is not only celebrating and extoling the virtues of God and God’s presence but also celebrating the Hebrew language.
While Psalm 119 may be well remembered for its length as the longest psalm and its poetic beauty as an acrostic poem, the Book of Acts offers many exciting stories. In chapter 8 we read a compelling story about an enquiring and earnest man of great power, the Ethiopian Eunuch as he has become known to us, Phillip the Evangelist, an Angel, and a particular location, Gaza. Phillip finds him reading a scroll from the Prophet Isaiah, and the man asks Philip to interpret the text to him. Philip does and shares the Good News of Jesus Christ.
As we open up the text we will see how Luke, the writer of Acts and the Gospel, continues to expand on the multicultural and inclusive nature of the Church, which was started last week in our Pentecost celebration. The Primary Source that is our Bible is always pushing to expand, to include, and to welcome.
How do you think we are doing in our relationship with the bible?
Are we really living up to its challenge?
Does our relationship with scripture ask of us, “Is there more that we could do to live into the nature of inclusion found in scripture in our own generation?”
Pastor Todd