Meditations

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Mark 8:36

“Do you want to have a country cottage? I refuse to believe you want a bad one. You want to get a wife, but only a good one, a home, but only a good one. Why should I run through everything one by one? You don’t want to have a bad shoe, and you want to have a bad life? As though a bad shoe can do you more harm than a bad life! When a bad, ill-fitting shoe starts hurting you, you sit down, take it off, throw it away or put it right or change it, or order not to damage a toe. A bad life, which can lose you your soul, you don’t care to put right. But I can see clearly enough where you delude yourself; a hurtful shoe causes pain, a hurtful life causes pleasure. The first indeed hurts, the second pleases. But what pleases for a time, later on brings much worse pain, while what brings salutary pain for a time, later on brings endless pleasure and abundant, joyful happiness.”

Augustine of Hippo (354-430) in Sermon 339.4 “On the Anniversary of His Ordination” in Essential Sermons, translated by Edmund Hill, edited by Daniel Doyle (New York: New City Press, 2007). Augustine of Hippo is first of the Four Doctors of the Western Church that we will explore on the topic of abundance.

Augustine preached this sermon on the anniversary of his ordination as bishop of Hippo. On that day each year, the church hosted a feast for the poor. Sadly, as the people he served flourished, they cared more about having more and better possessions than they did about caring for needy people. Has much changed in modernity? Most people (then and now) choose “a hurtful life” because it “causes pleasure” rather than experience “salutary pain for a time” which later on “brings endless pleasure and abundant, joyful happiness.”

The church in Hippo, located on the northeastern coast of present-day Algeria, wrestled with sacrifice as the pathway for service to others. In that cultural setting, many appear to have equated “showing care for family members” as “giving every earthly pleasure” to loved ones. Frankly, that’s how to ruin your family. He urged them to inconvenience themselves to aid others following the example of Christ, citing 2 Corinthians 8:9. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

Today I fly to Los Angeles and spend three days with leaders of thirteen seminaries at Fuller Theological Seminary. For many years, it’s been a privilege to facilitate a Think Tank annually with senior administrators of Asbury, Covenant, Dallas, Denver, Fuller, Gordon Conwell, Northeastern, Northern, Phoenix, Reformed, Sioux Falls, Western, and Westminster. We learn rich insights from each other. One thing the group has in common with Augustine: they want everyone they serve to know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and shift from amassing possessions to serving people.

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Today’s post is a perfect reading for a Monday! It celebrates the immeasurable abundance that flows from a fruitful life. Scholars describe Papyrus Egerton 2 as an ancient text that recounts four fragments of stories, one of which is a miracle of Jesus. It that sense, it’s referred to as Egerton Gospel, simply because it represents an early account of Jesus (c. AD 70-120). Below is the reading, Willker’s notes on it, the OT Scripture that it likely parallels, and brief comments from me.

“When a husbandman has enclosed a small seed in a secret place, so that it is invisibly buried, how does its abundance become immeasurable?” And when they where perplexed at the strange question, Jesus, as he walked, stood on the banks of the River Jordan, and stretching out his right hand, He filled it with seed and sowed it upon the ground. And thereupon he poured sufficient water over it. And looking at the ground before them, the fruit appeared.” Papyrus Egerton 2, Fragment 2 Verso.

As Willker’s notes, “Though the fragment cannot be reconstructed sufficiently, the meaning can be found: A small seed in the ground is hidden and invisible. How does its abundance become immeasurable? (By growing and bringing fruit.) To clarify this, Jesus performs a miracle: He walks up to the river Jordan and with the water he gives rise to a spontaneous ripening of fruit. (much, for joy!)

The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, set forth an allegory and tell it to the Israelites as a parable. 3 Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: A great eagle with powerful wings, long feathers and full plumage of varied colors came to Lebanon. Taking hold of the top of a cedar, he broke off its topmost shoot and carried it away to a land of merchants, where he planted it in a city of traders. “‘He took one of the seedlings of the land and put it in fertile soil. He planted it like a willow by abundant water, and it sprouted and became a low, spreading vine. Its branches turned toward him, but its roots remained under it. So it became a vine and produced branches and put out leafy boughs. “‘But there was another great eagle with powerful wings and full plumage. The vine now sent out its roots toward him from the plot where it was planted and stretched out its branches to him for water. It had been planted in good soil by abundant water so that it would produce branches, bear fruit and become a splendid vine.’ “Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Will it thrive? Will it not be uprooted and stripped of its fruit so that it withers? All its new growth will wither. It will not take a strong arm or many people to pull it up by the roots. It has been planted, but will it thrive? Will it not wither completely when the east wind strikes it—wither away in the plot where it grew?’” Ezekiel 17:1-10

Why cite this on a Monday? What does it have to do with generosity?

Each and every week holds the prospect of fruitfulness for you and me — immeasurable fruitfulness! We never know the impact that can multiply through us as we abide in Christ and drink of the living water that flows from Him.

This ancient papyrus does seems to recount a miracle of Jesus, the Son of Man, as foreshadowed eloquently by Ezekiel. God’s design and desire for each of us is to “produce branches, bear fruit and become a splendid vine.”

The prophet proclaims a question from the Sovereign Lord to the vine of each of our lives. Will it thrive? 

If we want to exhibit Christian generosity, then we must abide in Christ and drink the water only He can supply. We must soak in the Word of God, so it nourishes our souls. While most hear and don’t do what it says, we must hear and do.

When we do what it says, we will look different from the world. We will offend the religious and self-righteous, as Jesus ruffled the feathers of the Pharisees and other religious leaders, and we will look like foolishness to the world.

Our generosity will come into view as distinctly Christian. It will look like Christ who held nothing back, who did not show favoritism, who extended mercy and grace to the most undeserving, and much more.

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Recently I received an article from a brilliant scholar and friend, Edwina Murphy, entitled, “Sell Your Possessions: Cyprian, Luke, and Wealth” (Colloquium 49/2 2017), so next we turn to Cyprian, bishop of Carthage (c. 200-258). When reading the article, to my amazement three quotes in a row referred to “abundance” in different ways. This Lord’s day, enjoy a trifecta of profound thoughts from Cyprian laced with Scripture and some brief commentary from me.

“Consider in the Gospel the widow that remembered the heavenly precepts, doing good even amidst the pressure and straits of poverty, casting two mites, which were all that she had, into the treasury. When the Lord observed and saw, regarding her work not for its abundance, but for its intention, and considering not how much, but from how much, she had given, He answered and said, “Truly I say unto you, that that widow has put more than all of them into the offerings of God. For all these have put into the offerings of God from what they had in abundance; but she from her lack has put in all the living that she had” [Luke 21:3-4]. Greatly blessed and glorious woman, who even before the day of judgement has merited to be praised by the voice of the judge!” De opere et eleemosynis 15 (CCSL 3A:64).

With the widow we must remember “the heavenly precepts” and do good despite poverty and pressure. Rest assured, Jesus sees when we do this (or don’t do it). Then notice the profound line by Cyprian! Jesus observes the widow and celebrates “not how much, but from how much, she had given.” He acknowledges her abundant intention and action!

“You heap up a patrimony which burdens you with its weight; and you do not remember what God answered to the rich man, who boasted with a foolish exultation of the abundance of his exuberant harvest: “You fool,” said he, “tonight your soul is required of you; then whose will be those things which you have prepared [Luke 12:20]?” Why do you watch in loneliness over your riches? Why for your punishment do you heap up the burden of your patrimony, that, in proportion as you are rich in this world, you may become poor to God?” Allusion to Luke 12:21 De opere et eleemosynis 13 (CCSL 3A:63).

Patrimony is property stockpiled for the next generation. The world calls it good financial planning, and many Christians echo that sentiment. Jesus, however, labels it foolishness! A biblical inheritance does not entail providing a pile of money to your progeny, but rather, it includes passing on deep faith, teaching children to work, and helping them have a place to live.

“So also God rebukes the rich fool, who thinks of his earthly wealth and boasts in the abundance of his over owing harvests, saying, “You fool, tonight your soul is required of you; then whose will be those things which you have prepared [Luke 12:20]?” The fool who was to die that very night was rejoicing in his stores, and the one to whom life was already failing, was thinking of the abundance of his food. But, on the other hand, the Lord tells us that he becomes perfect and complete who sells all his goods, and distributes them for the use of the poor, and so lays up for himself treasure in heaven.” Allusion to Matt 19:21. De dominica oratione 20(CCSL 3A:102–3).

Cyprian beckons wealthy believers to obey Jesus and choose the “perfect and complete” path which, as Edwina Murphy rightly notes, calls for “repentance and renunciation.” Share wealth with the needy. All of it! For years we took the imperfect and incomplete way. We never had enough because we accumulated the wrong thing. Stop rationalizing disobedience. Be rich toward God!

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The Odes of Solomon are a treasure for anyone who likes hymns. I commend their lyrics to music-lovers like my mother-in-law, Wilma Pickrell, who is visiting from California with my father-in-law, John. Scholars like James Charlesworth, who translated this edition, describe them as the “earliest Christian hymn book” (dated between AD 100-200).

There are 42 odes attributed to Solomon, though it’s impossible for us to trace their origin back to the son of David. However, Solomon did write two of the Psalms in the Scriptures: Psalm 72 and Psalm 127. Today’s post brings “abundance” into view in my favorite for Eastertide, the season of joy, is Ode 15. My comments along with a Scripture from Solomon follow below.

“As the sun is the joy of them who seek its daybreak, so is my joy the Lord;
Because He is my sun, and His rays have lifted me up; and His light has dismissed all darkness from my face.
Eyes I have obtained in Him, and have seen His holy day.
Ears I have acquired, and have heard His truth.
The thought of knowledge I have acquired, and have enjoyed delight fully through Him.
I repudiated the way of error, and went towards Him and received salvation from Him abundantly.
And according to His generosity He gave to me, and according to His excellent beauty He made me.
I put on immortality through His name, and took off corruption by His grace.
Death has been destroyed before my face, and Sheol has been vanquished by my word.
And eternal life has arisen in the Lord’s land, and it has been declared to His faithful ones, and has been given without limit to all that trust in Him.
Hallelujah.”

Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen. Psalm 72:18-19

It’s fascinating to find that Lactantius (c. 250-325), the advisor to Emperor Constantine and tutor to his son, cited The Odes of Solomon in his writings. That means that into the fourth century, lyrics such as these were likely sung by followers of Christ. But what does this ode have to do with generosity?

The lyrics motivate us to live, give, serve, and love others because of abundant salvation and generosity of our God. It reveals in a word that generosity is a response, a worshipful response to the realization of that all we have received from our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Celebrate today that resurrection life of Jesus is “given without limit to all that trust in Him!”

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One of my favorites among the Apostolic Fathers is the Shepherd of Hermas who lived sometime in the late first and second century AD. Today’s excerpt that celebrates the theme of “abundance” comes from Visions 3.9 and don’t miss my comments below in response.

Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. Proverbs 15:16

“Give ear unto me, O Sons: I have brought you up in much simplicity, and guilelessness, and chastity, on account of the mercy of the Lord, who has dropped His righteousness down upon you, that ye may be made righteous and holy from all your iniquity and depravity; but you do not wish to rest from your iniquity. Now, therefore, listen to me, and be at peace one with another, and visit each other, and bear each other’s burdens, and do not partake of God’s creatures alone, but give abundantly of them to the needy. For some through the abundance of their food produce weakness in their flesh, and thus corrupt their flesh; while the flesh of others who have no food is corrupted, because they have not sufficient nourishment. And on this account their bodies waste away. This intemperance in eating is thus injurious to you who have abundance and do not distribute among those who are needy. Give heed to the judgment that is to come. Ye, therefore, who are high in position, seek out the hungry as long as the tower is not yet finished; for after the tower is finished, you will wish to do good, but will find no opportunity.”

Today I want to honor my parents. With consistency, they brought me up (along with my brother and sister) with modest financial means but we were rich in the fear of the Lord. They have modeled simplicity and generosity according to their ability, and have taught me yet another lesson in the days before their proverbial tower is finished: how to finish well.

During their lifetime they stored up most everything in heaven. They’ve lived on a simply float of income and worked well into their 70’s, merely trimming their days as they have aged. After my mom had heart episode last year, they determined it was time to relocate to Florida to be close to my brother, David, and his wife, Joanna, so that they (and we) can support them.

Over the past nine months or so, they emptied their home, shared family heirlooms with their children, and gave remaining possessions to charity. They have had meetings and meals with many in Ohio where they’ve lived their whole lives. For many, it was “goodbye” or at least “see you in the Kingdom.” For keen observers, this was yet another set of teachable moments.

Every person they met with face-to-face received a gift from this generous couple: a baton. The meetings and meals taught people to follow their example and so they were really baton-passings. They showed each one how to finish well. Their example challenges people to “give abundantly” and not let “intemperance” become “injurious” to them but to distribute faithfully.

Way to go Mom and Dad! Thanks for the lesson. Safe travels to Florida. Godspeed!

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As I continue to explore the theme of “abundance” in the writings of the early church in the 40 days between Christ’s resurrection and ascension, I came upon the letter from Theophilus to Autolycus. Theophilus of Antioch (c. 120-183) was bishop and overseer of the Christian Church in Antioch in the second century. Antioch was the place that Luke recounts where disciples of Jesus were first called “Christians” (see the Scripture below). Today’s meditation follows from Theophilus to Autolycus 14, and describes the sharing of the good news in ancient terms (specifically calling Autolycus to believe in the resurrection) as well as celebrating the “abundance of good things” found only in Jesus Christ.

Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. Acts 11:19-26

“Therefore, do not be skeptical, but believe; for I myself also used to disbelieve that this would take place, but now, having taken these things into consideration, I believe. At the same time, I met with the sacred Scriptures of the holy prophets, who also by the Spirit of God foretold the things that have already happened, just as they came to pass, and the things now occurring as they are now happening, and things future in the order in which they shall be accomplished…

But do you also, if you please, give reverential attention to the prophetic Scriptures, and they will make your way plainer for escaping the eternal punishments, and obtaining the eternal prizes of God. For He who gave the mouth for speech, and formed the ear to hear, and made the eye to see, will examine all things, and will judge righteous judgment, rendering merited awards to each. To those who by patient continuance in well-doing seek immortality, He will give life everlasting, joy, peace, rest, and abundance of good things, which neither hath eye seen, nor ear heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive.

But to the unbelieving and despisers, who obey not the truth, but are obedient to unrighteousness, when they shall have been filled with adulteries and fornications, and filthiness, and covetousness, and unlawful idolatries, there shall be anger and wrath, tribulation and anguish, and at the last everlasting fire shall possess such men. Since you said, “Show me thy God,” this is my God, and I counsel you to fear Him and to trust Him.”

The last line from the bishop really stuck with me today. “I counsel you to fear Him and to trust Him.” Most people in our world trust in riches rather than Christ. This is evidenced by how they store up riches. My wife, Jenni, and I talk to people often who proclaim to be Christ followers but their lives neither exhibit the fruit of fear and trust, nor do they handle money any differently than the world. They are a mess with regard to money (and much more)!

What is our counsel to them?

It’s the same as that of Theophilus to Autolycus: fear Him and trust Him. Do what He says to do. You won’t figure out what Jesus is teaching you until you obey. That’s why He commands us to follow. As the bishop states, “He will give life everlasting, joy, peace, rest, and abundance of good things, which neither hath eye seen, nor ear heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive.”

The paradox is that you must exchange the things of this world for the things of God to get the abundance Jesus offers.

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Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them? For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen. Romans 11:33-36

“Let what has been said suffice to prove that nothing exists without reason and intelligence, and that reason itself and providence are of God. It is He who has also distributed the metals, as gold, silver, copper, and the rest, in due proportion; ordaining an abundant supply of those which would be most needed and generally employed, while he dispensed those which serve the purposes merely of pleasure in adornment of luxury with a liberal and yet a sparing hand, holding a mean between parsimony and profusion. For the searchers for metals, were those which are employed for ornament procured in equal abundance with the rest, would be impelled by avarice to despise and neglect to gather those which, like iron or copper, are serviceable for husbandry, or house-building, or the equipment of ships; and would care for those only which conduce to luxury and a superfluous excess of wealth. Hence it is, as they say, that the search for gold and silver is far more difficult and laborious than that for any other metals, the violence of the toil thus acting as a counterpoise to the violence of the desire. And how many instances might still further be enumerated of the workings of that Divine Providence which, in all the gifts which it has so unsparingly conferred upon us, plainly urges us to the practice of self-control and all other virtues, and leads us away from unbefitting covetousness! To trace the secret reasons of all these things is indeed a task which exceeds the power of human faculties. For how can the intellect of a frail and perishable being arrive at the knowledge of perfect truth, or apprehend in its purity the counsel of God from the beginning?”

Eusebius Pamphilius (263-339) in The Oration of Constantine, Chapter VIII. “That God bestows an Abundant Supply of whatever is suited to the Wants of Man, and ministers but sparingly to his Pleasures; in Both Cases with a View to his Advantage.”

In this excerpt we discover that God’s providence supplies for the needs of humankind while ministering sparingly to our pleasures lest “unbefitting covetousness” destroy us and cause us only to seek only after that which can make us wealthy.

What’s this profound truth have to do with generosity?

In plain terms, God’s ways are not ours. His desires for us are for everyone’s good, while we tend to seek after only our own good. He wants us to procure all He supplies with “equal abundance” so that we become both productive and generous.

Only as we mature, do we find that we give nothing but what God has already given us. When we grow as productive servants, we discover that we are not really givers, but rather, distributors of His abundant supply.

The wisdom of God shows us that in His abundant economy all things are from Him, through Him, and for Him. We are not the center of the universe, He is. How should we then live (and give) as a result?

Let us make the risen Savior the center of our lives, not the acquisition of wealth. The former will position us for a generous living with all He abundantly supplies. The latter will destroy us. And there’s no middle option.

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Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, while under Roman guard in Smyrna en route to Rome for his martyrdom during the reign of Trajan (AD 98-117), was visited by Polybius, Bishop of Tralles of Asia. Polybius generously ministered to Ignatius by sharing resources from the church. In response, Ignatius (c. AD 105-115) wrote To The Trallians, and today’s post comes from the introduction and section 9 (translation by Roberts-Donaldson).

“Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the holy church which is at Tralles, in Asia, beloved of God, the Father of Jesus Christ, elect, and worthy of God, possessing peace through the flesh, and blood, and passion of Jesus Christ, who is our hope, through our rising again to Him, which also I salute in its fulness, and in the apostalical character, and wish abundance of happiness…

Stop your ears, therefore, when any one speaks to you at variance with Jesus Christ, who was descended from David, and was also of Mary; who was truly born, and did eat and drink. He was truly persecuted under Pontius Pilate; He was truly crucified, and [truly] died, in the sight of beings in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth. He was also truly raised from the dead, His Father quickening Him, even as after the same manner His Father will so raise up us who believe in Him by Christ Jesus, apart from whom we do not possess the true life.”

Notice the emphasis of Ignatius, also known as Theophorus, “the God-bearer” who desires an “abundance of happiness” for the Trallians. He uses the term “true” or “truly” six times in one paragraph coupled with instructions to “stop your ears” to any teaching “at variance with Jesus Christ” because in Him they possess “the true life.” His words sound similar the exhortation of Paul to Timothy to make sure teaching syncs with the “sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

These are the things you are to teach and insist on. If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:2b-10

As I continue exploring the theme of “abundance” through church history (starting with the writings of the early church) in the 40 days between Christ’s resurrection and ascension, you may ask the question: What’s this excerpt from Ignatius To The Trallians got to do with generosity, especially in modern times? 

Everything! We must intentionally “stop our ears” to the world’s way of thinking lest we get caught up in controversies and end up conforming to the culture and adopting a worldly view on money. Sadly, statistics show many followers of Christ today spend, save, and give like the world instead of following the pattern outlined in the Word.

We must be honest with ourselves about money matters. Does our spending reflect our faith in Jesus Christ? That’s a challenge for all of us. Jenni and I have a rule not to spend over $100 without talking to each other so that our spending stays both on budget and remains in line with our faith.

Are our treasures saved up on earth or in heaven? We missed this one for years. We followed the cultural rule that says to store up them up here. The Christian version of this justifies disobedience as acceptable by committing to serve God with the money, however, when we store up money on earth our heart (and trust) shifts from God to the money we have stored up!

Does our giving reflect Christ’s giving? The culture tells us to give to those that it deems “deserving” of aid, whereas, Christ extended grace and mercy to all of us when we were undeserving. Jenni and I have found that reading through the red letters of Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John regularly helps us avoid patterns of giving that are at variance with Jesus Christ.

With Ignatius, I wish all meditations readers an “abundance of happiness” and with him I believe it’s only found when we “stop our ears” from all that is “at variance with Jesus Christ.” Instead the Apostle Paul instructed Timothy to command those with more than enough to enjoy and share all God richly supplies, like the Trallians did with Ignatius, for when we do, we grasp “true life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

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Abundance is my word for 2018. In the 40 days between Christ’s resurrection and ascension I plan to explore this theme in church history. When I searched for the term in the Apostolic Fathers (the early writings of the Christian church), I came across this piece in which we see God pour out and “abundance of grace” on a young woman about to die for her faith.

Vibia Perpetua, was executed in the arena in Carthage on 7 March 203. The account of her martyrdom, technically a passion, has special interest as much of it was written [sections 3-10] by Perpetua herself before her death. This makes it one of the earliest pieces of writing by a Christian woman. We explore three sections below. It’s a treasure for those willing to read it.

Section [1] reveals that the Christian community had deep knowledge of the Scriptures and shows that they retold stories to glorify God and strengthen one another. Section [2] provides background about Perpetua and others enduring persecution. Section [4] gives the account of the vision Perpetua saw in her words. I conclude with brief comments and a prayer.

“[1] If ancient examples of faith kept, both testifying the grace of God and working the edification of man, have to this end been set in writing, that by their reading as though by the showing of the deeds again, God may be glorified and man strengthened; why should not new witnesses also be so set forth which likewise serve either end? Yea, for these things also shall at some time be ancient and necessary to our sons, though in their own present time (through some reverence of antiquity presumed) they are made of but slight account.

But let those take heed who judge the one power of the Holy Spirit according to the succession of times; whereas those things which are later ought for their very lateness to be thought the more eminent, according to the abundance of grace appointed for the last periods of time. For In the last days, says the Lord, I will pour my spirit upon all flesh, and their sons and daughters shall prophesy; and upon my servants and upon my handmaids I will pour forth of my spirit; and the young men shall see visions, and the old men shall dream dreams. [Acts 2:17, cf. Joel 2:28] [2] There were apprehended the young catechumens, Revocatus and Felicity his fellow servant, Saturninus and Secundulus. With them also was Vibia Perpetua, nobly born, reared in a liberal manner, wedded honorably; having a father and mother and two brothers, one of them a catechumen likewise, and a son, a child at the breast; and she herself was about twenty-two years of age. What follows here shall she tell herself; the whole order of her martyrdom as she left it written with her own hand and in her own words.

[4] Then said my brother to me: Lady my sister, you are now in high honor, even such that you might ask for a vision; and it should be shown you whether this be a passion or else a deliverance. And I, as knowing that I conversed with the Lord, for Whose sake I had suffered such things, did promise him nothing doubting; and I said: Tomorrow I will tell you. And I asked, and this was shown me.

I beheld a ladder of bronze, marvelously great, reaching up to heaven; and it was narrow, so that not more than one might go up at one time. And in the sides of the ladder were planted all manner of things of iron. There were swords there, spears, hooks, and knives; so that if any that went up took not good heed or looked not upward, he would be torn and his flesh cling to the iron. And there was right at the ladder’s foot a serpent lying, marvelously great, which lay in wait for those that would go up, and frightened them that they might not go up. Now Saturus went up first (who afterwards had of his own free will given up himself for our sakes, because it was he who had edified us; and when we were taken he had not been there).

And he came to the ladder’s head; and he turned and said: Perpetua, I await you; but see that serpent bite you not. And I said: it shall not hurt me, in the name of Jesus Christ. And from beneath the ladder, as though it feared me, it softly put forth its head; and as though I trod on the first step I trod on its head. And I went up, and I saw a very great space of garden, and in the midst a man sitting, white-headed, in shepherd’s clothing, tall milking his sheep; and standing around in white were many thousands. And he raised his head and beheld me and said to me: Welcome, child. And he cried to me, and from the curd he had from the milk he gave me as it were a morsel; and I took it with joined hands and ate it up; and all that stood around said, Amen. And at the sound of that word I awoke, yet eating I know not what of sweet.

And at once I told my brother, and we knew it should be a passion; and we began to have no hope any longer in this world.”

Acts of Perpetua and Felicitas (c. 203) translated by W.H. Shewring (London: 1931).

In modern terms, we might say Vibia Perpetua had everything going for her. Notice that section [2] states she was “nobly born, reared in a liberal manner, wedded honorably.” When you read “liberal,” think “generous.” She appears to have grown up in a Christian family, with a mother and father in her life and two brothers. She was married and had a child of her own.

But Perpetua had one thing worth more than all the world could offer, which she prized above even her family. She had deep faith in Jesus Christ. She numbered among the “catechumens,” which means she was studying the Christian faith more deeply to champion it for the next generation. The Romans targeted such people to try to stop the Christian movement.

Why cite this for the first meditation after Resurrection Sunday?

After the resurrection of Jesus Christ, may believed and suffered for it. Thankfully, we serve a generous God who gave an “abundance of grace” to the early Christians who were persecuted for their faith. He even allowed them to see visions to give them courage to exchange earthly hope for a heavenly home. The condition persists today in various parts of the world.

Wherever you live, if you are reading this piece, one of the oldest extant writing by a Christian woman, my prayer for you today is that God grants you an “abundance of grace” so that you may live out your Christian faith with all boldness with eyes fixed on Jesus so that you fear nothing, including death, and so that your generosity holds nothing back!

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When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told you.’” Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. Mark 16:1-8

“The desire of the women to “anoint” the body indicates that the oils were to be poured over the head. The preparations for returning to the tomb in performance of an act of piety show that the women had no expectation of an immediate resurrection of Jesus. Since in the climate of Jerusalem deterioration would occur rapidly, the visit of the women with the intention of ministering to the corpse after two nights and a day must be viewed as an expression of intense devotion…

When the women entered the burial chamber they were startled to see a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side… The response of the women to the angelic presence is described by a strong word which Mark alone among the NT writers uses [exethambēthēsan meaning “they were terrified, alarmed, or frightened”]. It introduces the note of dread which is woven into the theme until it becomes the dominant motif in verse 8. Confronted with the messenger of God, the women were terrified.

The action of God is not always self-evident. For this reason it is invariably accompanied by the word of revelation, interpreting the significance of the event. The emptiness of the tomb possessed no factual value in itself. It simply raised the question, What happened to the body? God, therefore, sent His messenger to disclose the fact of the resurrection. The announcement of the angel is the crystallization point for faith… They came to anoint the body of one who was dead, but Jesus was risen from the dead!

The fact that women were the first to receive the announcement of the resurrection is significant in view of contemporary attitudes. Jewish law pronounced women ineligible as witnesses… That the news had first been delivered to women was inconvenient and troublesome to the Church for their testimony lacked value as evidence. The primitive community would not have invented this detail, which can be explained only on the ground that it was factual.”

William L. Lane in The Gospel of Mark (NICNT; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974) 585-89.

The “intense devotion” of the women is matched by incredible news, which by definition means that it was “impossible to believe” because it was so extraordinary and because it would be delivered by female witnesses. Before we consider the news, think of the identity of these three women.

Mary Magdalene had been delivered from a horrible background by Jesus. She walked with Him and supported His work from the beginning of His earthly ministry (cf. Luke 8:1-3). Mary the mother of James was there too, along with Salome, mother of James and John, who numbered among the twelve. These three women appear willing to take the risk of association with Jesus, so their act of generosity was to purchase spices to anoint His body.

So we don’t miss the gravity of the moment as presented in the Greek, Lane reminds us that the women are absolutely “terrified” to walk into the tomb and find someone alive in there. The function of the language inserts the twist that the messenger scared them to death! Everything changed in a split-second. The messenger explains what has happened. Christ is risen!

So the gift to the women with intense devotion is incredible news, again, news that would be “impossible to believe.” No wonder they departed in fear! Who would believe them? That also tells us that God sees the sacrifice of somewhat peripheral characters in the community of faith and often blesses them with treasures that have unthinkable value.

The women are instructed to spread the news to the disciples and Peter. As Mark is the Petrine gospel (dictated by Peter to Mark according ancient sources such as Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 3.39.14-17), likely this is Peter’s way of relaying to us that He received the gift of forgiveness for denying Christ. That’s good news for anyone who has sinned and thinks God could never forgive them.

How does this all relate to generosity?

The greatest act of generosity in human history has a happy ending filled with ironic twists. The news is relayed first to women who were treated as less than equal to men in antiquity. The one who betrayed Christ is singled out to receive the good news lest he thinks he lost the privilege of numbering among the disciples. Finally, those who hear the good news are not to keep it to themselves but to share it with others. This reminds the rest of us that the greatest act of generosity we can extend to anyone both on and after Resurrection Sunday is to share the good news with them.

Go! Tell your friends and neighbors. Christ is risen!

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