Easter 2: First Reading, Acts 4:32-35                             

Acts 4:32-35

Jesus was a Marxist!

Not to get too political, and that just on the heels of Resurrection. But this is an important text to see in its full historical context. Those in more modern times who have sought to bolster the condition of “the worker” have always run to this text of the Bible. They open a book for which they otherwise have no place, to prove that the greatest leader of all time was in their camp. Sorry. 

What is witnessed here in the infant Christian community is so far above any earthly political strategy or scheme that it is superbly positioned just after Easter. Ultimate love through ultimate sacrifice has been given. From God manward. And now some of the “practical” outpourings from that heavenly love are shown between brothers and sisters: “Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common” (Acts 4:32). 

Voluntary love. Voluntary benevolence. Voluntary sacrifice. That is what the people of Jesus had experienced in His love poured out on Golgotha and the Holy Spirit having been freely given through Jesus from the Father was simply “sprouting” the community in common love. Love shared by choice.

When those who carry a godless political banner have here claimed Jesus from the pages of the Bible they have completely missed the point. This “love of compulsion” comes from the King of Kings and is worked among God’s people from the transformation of their wills. Not the forcing of them. No, there is no place here for Marxists, Leninists, Maoists or even Capitalists to lay claim on Jesus. This, this love is the blessed power of a heavenly regime. God be praised!

During this time, “the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all” (Acts 4:33). No “Das Kapital,” no “Little Red Book,” and no “Manifesto.” Just the clear proclamation of the Word of the Risen King who will rule all men.