Tag Archives: The Body of Christ

Brothers and Sisters

Christmastide

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 2:10-18

It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying,
‘I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters,
   in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.’
And again,
‘I will put my trust in him.’
And again,
‘Here am I and the children whom God has given me.’ –Hebrews 2:10-13

I visited my brother and sister today sharing in the joy of Christmas. They are both a very important part of my life. While we share in many common values, we are very different people. I think God created each of us to fill a special purpose in the world God created. Part of all of our calls to serve God includes doing all we can to be who God created us to be while supporting all our biological brothers and sisters as well as our brothers and sisters in Christ to become all that they can be. Part of that process is restorative.  Jesus spent much of his ministry restoring people to health and wholeness. With God’s help, that is our job now.

Jesus also let the little children come to him. I think he enjoyed watching them grow and learn. Children are a big part of Christmas at my church. Whether in church or in society, we have a special responsibility to create a world that welcomes children and protects them while preparing them for the responsibility of adulthood.

As we pause in this Christmastide, let us consider how we will both work to restore all to fullness in life while preparing the next generation for adulthood.

Prayer: Lord, strengthen us as we strive to strengthen others. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Righteous not Self-Righteous

Living in the Spirit
September 22, 2017

Scripture Reading: Philippians 1:21-30

Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, and are in no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God’s doing. For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well—since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. –Philippians 27-30

When we profess to be followers of Christ, how we live and treat one another, good or bad, is interpreted by the other as representing Christ, a responsibility we must take very seriously. How many people turn away from Christianity after being negatively impacted by the behavior of those claiming to be Christian? Much of such behavior appears to be more self-righteous than righteous. If God’s followers are set apart, it is for special service not because they are better than anyone else. White privilege grows from self-righteous seeds and self-righteousness stems from feeling unworthy.

I watched the PBS Program Martin Luther: The Idea that Changed the World, recently that described Luther’s early life of never feeling he could live up to the expectations of God. He tried everything he could including beating himself and confessing for hours every action he felt was sinful. He finally experienced an epiphany of grace leading him to understand the loving, forgiving nature of God. He went on to usher in the Reformation challenging the status quo of Christianity that had moved away from the basic tenets of Christ.

It is time we examine our ways of being and to ask God for our own moment of grace making us whole so that others can learn of the wondrous love of God through us.

Prayer: Lord make us whole and make us one with you. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Go and Tell

greater-is-he-that-in-in-youAdvent
December 10, 2016

Scripture Reading: Matthew 11:2-11

When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.’ –Matthew 11:2-6

We live in a cynical world, trying to figure out what is real and what is fake news, parsing statistics to mean whatever we want them to mean, and creating a whole new type of information system: the fact/truth checkers. We make many decisions not based on what is right but what is advantageous to us personally. We are becoming a society governed by greed.

Things have not changed much since Jesus’ time. In the first century, there were a lot of people claiming to be the Chosen One, the Messiah. No wonder John wanted some proof of who Jesus was. Jesus’ reply was simply to watch and listen to him and draw their conclusions.

I was compiling a listing of Oklahoma State legislators’ religious preferences recently and discovered that several listed only the world “Christian.” What were they saying about themselves? Others gave long lists of civic memberships but mentioned no connection to religion. And still, others provided full testimonies of their systems of belief. Most listed a congregation in which they participated, perhaps also noting that they were a deacon or elder or Sunday school teacher. Some think their legislation reflects their religion, but do they ever stop to see what results from their laws?

What can you go and tell others you have seen and heard regarding Jesus Christ engaged in our world today? A Facebook friend described recently seeing a man running up to a homeless person on the sidewalk with a sign that said he needed food. The man handed him food. What can you go and tell you have seen and heard Christ do today? We are the Body of Christ, and people are watching to see if we are the real deal.

Prayer: Lord, help us to live our lives fully reflecting your love to the whole world.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.