We read about another significant transition in the life of the early church in acts 6.
1 In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
2 So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will appoint this responsibility to them 4 and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these seven to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
When Dr. Luke tells about Grecian widows versus Hebraic widows, he expects us to understand what that means. Saying that some widows were “Grecian” does not necessarily mean they were from Greece. He was referring to the “Diaspora Jews”, the ones who had been scattered all around the known world and had made their homes away from Israel. Many of these Diaspora Jews, who were products of the “hellenized” or Greek-culture-influenced societies they lived in, immigrated to Israel, and Jerusalem in particular, in their later years. Since Jewish husbands were typically about 10 years older than their wives, it makes sense that there would be older female immigrants whose husbands had died after arriving, and were in need of assistance without extended family present.
The whole world had been affected by Greek conquests for centuries, and the Greek language became the “lingua franca”, or “English” of its day. So, even though most Judean Jews spoke at least enough Greek to communicate for trade and travel, those from Galilee, where many of the original disciples came from, would have probably mostly spoken in Aramaic.
So, imagine the scene. You have a rapidly growing Church, and even though it is composed of Jewish believers in Jesus, there are immigrants whose culture and language differs from the natives. Among those “newcomers” are older people who may not communicate as well and might have even brought certain customs and traditions with them that seem foreign to you…because they are. And as followers of Jesus, the Hebraic or native Jewish disciples know they must care for the poor, but these same young disciples (some just freshly out of their teenage years) have to deal with elderly widows who already feel fearful, vulnerable and maybe even uncomfortable trying to scale the language barrier.
And when stressed out people get hungry, they get “hangry.”
And it sounds like Peter and the boys had some "hangry" little old ladies to deal with on top of the many other stresses, strains and growing pains present in the infant Church of Jesus.
Additionally, Dr. Luke seems to tell us without actually telling us that these widowed immigrants probably were being neglected in their feeding program. Whether it was intentional, or not, it was a pivotal moment, and once again, the Holy Spirit stepped in to give them the wisdom they needed, right when they needed it.
Just like the sage advice given by Moses’ father in law, Jethro, the 12 realize they cannot do it all, and that they need to delegate ministry responsibilities to faithful, Spirit-filled people. But instead of casting lots, or unilaterally appointing seven familiar people from their inner circle, they allow all the believers to be a part of the solution by making their voices heard in selecting seven deacons, or “servants” to head up this important ministry.
A quick look at the names of the seven the church selected for this service reveals they were all from the group (immigrant Grecian Jews) that felt neglected! Here is another evidence that the infant Church is choosing to obey Jesus who had commanded them; “love one another, as I have loved you” and, “The last shall be first.”
What could have become big stumbling blocks turned into stepping stones into the next phase of the cross-cultural-ministry that had been commanded by Jesus who said; “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in Judea, in Samaria and to the ends of the earth.”
This gives us a lot to think about.
As of the writing of this blog, our country is going through lots of stretching and we are all praying that the fabric of our society is not stretched so tight that it tears apart. But, as Christians, we have to keep Kingdom priorities in mind when God, in His providence, allows millions of immigrants, legal and illegal, many even identifying as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, to come into our country and even to our city.
How will we respond?
We may be a 2000 year old Church now, but I think we can learn some important lessons from what Dr. Luke recorded about the infant Church. They were faced with opposition and they turned it into an opportunity to know Jesus and make Him known.
“And a child shall lead them…”
PRN: Father, thank you for the Church Your Son purchased with His own precious Blood. Thank you for His sacrifice. Because He suffered, died and rose again, we are ONE church that stretches around the world. As the world comes to us, with the stresses, strains and even dangers that go along with it, please help VCC to keep first things first, and reach out a loving hand to any brothers and sisters who are hurting and seeking refuge in our country, in so doing, love our neighbor as ourselves. In the name of Jesus, amen.
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