The Holy Martyr Sabbas Stratelates (the General) (364-78)
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Acts 5:1-11; John 5:30-6:2
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!
Today’s epistle is a vexing problem. Peter accuses this couple of withholding money and both are struck dead. On the surface, it sounds like the apostle is cruel and misusing his divine gifts. Note that Peter never condemns them to die, nor threatens to kill them by his word. He simply states the facts. “They have lied, not unto men, but unto God” and “have tempted the spirit.” Peter’s presence is correlative, not causal.
Human beings who choose to live apart from God, choose death instead of life. They choose darkness instead of light. The results are poisonous. Peter names the sin but doesn’t condemn the sinner here. It seems, however, the turmoil has already done its job. For as Paul reminds us the wages of sin is death. While God desires our happiness, we can refuse that. With this couple, they have chosen against generosity, the result is the hardening of our spirit. Notice they fall stiff as wood. “Blessed are the poor” for their hearts are nimble and flexible enough to embrace the kingdom of God. The opposite of generosity tightens us to the point that we can’t let the light in.