Epiphany VII: The Sapphire Wall

What happens when the early church community tries to build a kingdom without paying close attention to John — honouring him as Forerunner and Teacher of Israel?

More importantly, what happens when the newly formed faith community, are unprepared to fully acknowledge the Gate — the Woman Jesus — as the “I Am” who spoke with Moses the Teacher of Israel hundreds of years before?

In Acts 4 the early community looks successful: “abundant Grace was upon them all.” No one lacked, and believers freely laid their possessions at the apostles’ feet. The Church appears unified, generous, and holy.

Yet the next chapter exposes a great divide — a moment when Satan enters the Story again.

Ananias and his housewife, Sapphira, hold back some of the proceeds from the field they sold. Simon Peter confronts Ananias directly:

"How is it that Satan has filled your heart, to lie to the Holy Spirit...? "

To understand why they hold back the truth of their treasure, it is important to turn back — to a pre-Cross moment when judgment, forgiveness, and hidden knowledge collided in Bethany — in the house where Simon hosted a dinner.

But turning back also requires something else: adopting the mind of Christ.

In Scripture, names are never incidental. They carry identity, calling and destiny. God changes names when lives change. God hides meaning in plain sight.

In Hebrew, Ananias echoes the meaning of John in Greek — God is gracious.

And Sapphira recalls sapphire — the stone associated with the glory of God, pavement beneath His throne, the jewel set in the High Priest’s breastpiece.

Yet this veiling and withholding of Glory and her sister Grace compel Simon Peter to judge.

"For it is the glory of God to conceal a matter, to search out a matter is the glory of kings." (Proverbs 25:2)

Turning back, recall that Moses — the Prophet, the Teacher of Israel — unveiled his face when he spoke with God face to face, yet veiled his radiant face when he taught and prepared those who followed him to meet God.

_________________________________________________

This is the seventh in a series of Epiphany reflections paving the way for the Cross. Now, in Lent, a Lenten Epiphany turns back to the pre-Cross event — when Simon judges Jesus the Teacher as the Prophet — and when the Woman Jesus, called a sinner, anoints Jesus the Teacher’s feet.

If you would like to receive the next reflection, be sure to subscribe.