Seventh Sunday of Easter: First Reading, Acts 1:12-26               

Acts 1:12-26

One of the great challenges in being a student of the Holy Scriptures is coming to terms with the fact that at times, God speaks hard things. And the things He speaks of that are difficult are just as sure to come to pass as those glorious promises He makes. But it all goes to show that our God speaks what is true. Always.

In our first reading this week Peter speaks to the gathered saints in the upper room and reassures them (I think) that God is working out His will. And that even the choosing of Judas and his evil task was in the plan. Here’s what Luke wrote: “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas …” (v. 16). Alright. Understood. God’s Word is sure. But isn’t it amazing that David spoke of Judas? Some ten centuries prior, it was King David who spoke of the demise of “the great David’s greater Son” by the hand of a greedy thug. The good, the bad and the ugly. It’s all here. It’s all true. And yes, it had to be spoken. It had to be written. For, as the apostle Paul would write, our instruction.

We need it all. Whatever God deems necessary to say, to that we must give ear. It isn’t always easy. But in the end, it is for our good.