Acts 9:36-43

Acts is an extension of the Luke gospel, most likely by the same author. It is addressed to the Greek gentiles and this story illustrates that. It is set in Joppa which is a twelve mile hike from Jerusalem. This symbolizes Peter's journey away from the Jewish community that is becoming hostile to the early Christians. We get Tabitha, the Jewish name, as well the Greek, indicating she has dual identities. And we're told she is a good person. When Peter heals her, he uses her Jewish name. She is restored to life and to the community.

We aren't given a description of how amazed everyone is like sometimes happens with miracles. I get the sense that even Peter is a bit stunned at all this. He stays in Joppa for some time, indicating he's seeing that his mission is not just to convert Jews to Jesus, but gentiles as well.

Revelation 7:9-17

So we know who the Lamb is, and we know there's lots of worshipping going on. You may have heard about how "God will wipe away every tear". But who are all these people in white? They came out of some "great ordeal". Some Bibles call it the "Great Tribulation". Starting to get the picture now? Yeah, it's the rapture. Or, this is the verse they made up the rapture from. The white robes are the opposite of some of the soiled robes we have seen back on earth. Check back to chapter 6 for the seals being opened and the wrath of God coming out. The Lectionary doesn't like to include that stuff.

John 10:22-30

This has similar symbols and references as the other John passages from the other two years in the Lectionary in week 4 of Easter. It's not unusual to see that kind of repetition in the gospels or anywhere else in the Bible for that matter. I'm sure there's some theme playing out in this chapter, but with it split out like this, you wouldn't see it. In the verse immediately following this passage, the crowd picks up stones to stone him for being a blasphemer. And they wonder why he wasn't coming out and saying he was God? There is some serious tension here. He wants to include people in his flock, but he needs them to believe. The people want a Messiah, but they don't trust the signs. I would say it all works out in the end, but the passion narrative is a bit ambiguous about that.