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Realizing what they had done to God’s anointed, the
hearers of Peter’s proclamation were moved to repentance
(Acts 2:14, 36-41). The faithful recognize the voice of
the true shepherd and they follow him (John 10:1-10).
What are
we to do?
Peter’s
standard kerygma of the Christian faith about the
ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus, as we saw it
last week, has for its final component the call to
repentance. Peter spelled out unmistakably to his Jewish
listeners the significance of their deed: “God has made
Him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you
crucified.”
The
astounding claims made about Jesus were all in the
religious tradition of the people. “Lord” (kyrios) was
the Greek substitute in the Septuagint for God’s
personal name YHWH. “Messiah” (christos) is the
translation for God’s anointed one. The listeners were
cut to the heart in remorse. They asked, “What are we to
do?” They showed openness to the testimony and
accusation of Peter; they were ready to follow Peter’s
direction. The Jewish people were not all hard-hearted.
Their sincere question echoed the reaction of the people
to John the Baptizer’s preaching (Luke 3:10ff): “What
ought we to do?” Also, tax collectors and soldiers
asked, “What about us?”
Repentance and baptism
Peter
exhorted them to repent and be baptized. Repentance (metanoia)
is premised on a radical openness and commitment to the
person of Jesus. It calls for a total change of heart,
not merely a program of character evaluation or a
regimen of self-help techniques. It is conformity to
Christ in heart and mind (kadiwa). Therefore, it is a
lifelong process of conversion, of turning away from
false gods and turning toward the one true God made
manifest in Jesus.
Baptism
is the external ritual expression of this inner change.
It marks the initiation of the believer in the daily
transformation into one who died to sin and rose again
in freedom to life. Baptism is the appropriation of a
way of life according to the values of the Gospel of
Jesus Christ; it is baptism in the name of Jesus Christ
for the forgiveness of sins. And it goes with the gift
of the Holy Spirit, in reference to the promise found in
the prophetic words of Joel (3:1-2), Isaiah (44:3), and
Ezekiel (36:26-27). For it is only in the power of the
Holy Spirit that one can live the life of transformation
demanded of the followers of Jesus. Significantly, the
promise of the Holy Spirit is offered also to the
generations to come and “to all those far off, whomever
the Lord our God will call,” who do not belong to the
house of Israel. Here is a glimpse of the reconstituted
people of God, made up of believers baptized in the name
of Jesus Christ and sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
The good
shepherd
To
describe the relationship between Himself and his
followers, Jesus referred to Himself as the True
Shepherd of His flock. The true shepherd guides, guards
and nurtures the sheep, unlike others who are more like
thieves and robbers who steal into the sheepfold for
immediate nefarious profit. The shepherd is readily
recognized not only by the gatekeeper, but especially by
the sheep which know the sound of his voice when he
calls out to them and they follow him. He knows them so
intimately, he calls each by name. The sheep would not
know the call of persons who are strangers to them; they
would not follow them.
In a
second figure of speech, Jesus referred to Himself as
the Gate to the sheepfold. The sheep go in and out of
the pen. Those that go in through Jesus will be safe,
and those that exit through the Gate which is Jesus will
be safely led to the pasture. Any other entrance or
exit, as likely to be taken by thieves, will put the
sheep in jeopardy. Concerned with the welfare of the
sheep, Jesus has come so that they may have life and
have it more abundantly. And He paid the ultimate price
on their behalf.
Alálaong
bagá,
the
community of those who believe in Jesus as their Lord
and Savior celebrate Easter prepared for in repentance
and highlighted by their renewal of baptism. And in
their conformity to Christ they stand for authentic
leadership based on the example of the Good Shepherd. We
rightly look for leaders who can guarantee us well-being
and happiness, affirming us in our efforts and showing
us how to bear graciously the responsibilities and
burdens of life. But we need leaders who can challenge
us to be our better selves and to attain a greater
degree of self-realization, even as we turn aside from
the self-destructing corruption of the world. This
authentic leadership is not just rooted in power and
control, but in the genuine service to life, encouraging
the best in life which it truly cherishes and guards. It
is committed to the truth, however painful, and
constantly calls for a change of heart for everyone.
Such leaders willingly forgo their own needs and deny
their own interests for the sake of the needs and
interests of others.
For more of my reflections and works, visit my blogsite:
http://alalaongbaga.multiply.com. |
