Lent

February 23, 2023

Scripture Reading:

2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10

So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. –2 Corinthians 5:20-21

The Greek word presbeuó, translated here as ambassador, means to act as an established statesman (diplomat) – a trusted, respected ambassador who is authorized to speak as God’s emissary (represent His kingdom).

This term is used in the ancient phrase, “I am on embassy to the Emperor, I am an ambassador” (Souter) – i.e. as someone respected as trustworthy (loyal, knowledgeable), especially in the opinion of those they know (belong to)*.

When I read this scripture, I thought of former President Jimmy Carter, having recently heard that he had chosen to stop all medical treatment and shift to hospice care. He embodies this scripture. He is the example we need to follow, and yet, I fear he is seen as a rarity that is viewed beyond our ability to emulate. Of course, his presbeuó is Jesus Christ. Christ-followers are called to be the example of God’s love for the world, and I fear we sometimes get off track. I fear we grow uncomfortable with loving without judging, which leads us to transition to creating God and God’s love in images in which we are more comfortable. There was a time when being left-handed was seen as being the mark of Satan, and toddlers had their arms tied to their sides until they had mastered using their right hand. Now we pick on sexual differences as being evil. Just exactly how that is supposed to be a danger to anyone else is beyond me. And racism is still alive and well in our worldview, although the very existence of different “human races” has been debunked by genetic science.  We do great harm to future generations when we fail to follow the example of Christ in living love.

Prayer: Lord, as we enter the time of Lent, when we relive your 40-day sojourn in the wilderness facing the temptations of Satan, guide us to wrestle with the temptations we face enticing us to take wrong paths and show us the right path.  Amen.

*https://biblehub.com/greek/4243.htmpre

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.