Studying the Bible

EASTER 4, THURSDAY: ACTS 13:13-25, PSALM 89:20-29, JOHN 13:16-20

One of the interesting things about Eastertide is that we read from the Acts of the Apostles as our first reading instead of from the Old Testament. Does this mean that in Easter the Old Testament is somehow less important? Not at all. Both of our readings today (and of course the Psalm selection) show exactly how imoportant the Old Testament was to Jesus and to the early church.

Paul's speech is essentially a short history of the Jewish people as narrated in the Old Testament, beginning with exodus, moving through the kingship of David, ending with John the Baptist and Jesus. He draws a single line united them all in God plan for our salvation. Teaching of this sort can be found all over the Acts of the Apostles, including speaches by Peter, Paul, Stephen and others.

Likewise, Jesus roots God's plan for our salvation, even the betrayal of Judas, in the prophesies of the Old Testament. Throughout the Gospels Jesus quotes the Olt Testament, teaches its meaning to others and even dies with verses of the Psalter on his lips.

I think one of the things that the church encourages all of us to do more of is stufy the Bible, Old and New Testaments. Saint Mary's offers weekly Bible studies, and I recommend them to you if you have time (Wednesday nights at 7:00 PM - with dinner). I also recommend simply reading through a book of the Bible over the course of week. Its not that hard and it can be very reqrding to know the Bible and what is actually written in it. OFten, making sense of what happens in the Gospels and in the Acts of the Apostles (and all of the New Testament) means knowing something about the Old Testament.