Tag Archives: Body of Christ

Glorified?

Eastertide
May 27, 2017

Scripture Reading: John 17:1-11

After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed. –John 17:1-5

What connotation do we give to the word “glorify”? Do we turn it into condescending slang? When we use the word glorified are we saying someone or something is overrated? The Greek word translated glorify, doxazó* means to ascribe weight by recognizing real substance (value).  It seems what Jesus is saying here is that he is ready to fulfill his calling come what may. Hebrews 5:5 describes this phenomenon, So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you.’.

 I think the disciples knew Jesus was special; I doubt they knew he was who he was before the resurrection. Some I am sure wondered, and others like Peter turned hot and cold. The disciples often did not understand him, but they knew they wanted to be around him. He had charisma. We are even jaded in that department. We encounter folks with charisma who use it for selfish gain.

Why is he saying this in the presence of his disciples? Why was it retained for us to read today? Jesus promises eternal life and says that eternal life is knowing God and is available through an encounter with Jesus. Jesus is setting the example for us to follow. He is glorifying us through our relationship with him so that we can pass on to others the real substance of the God who is love.

.Prayer: Lord make us worthy of your trusting us to carry forth your mission as the Body of Christ in the world today. 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.

Persecute or Privileged

Eastertide
May 25, 2017

Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in so far as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. –1 Peter 4:12-14

We USA citizens of the first quarter of the 21st century can hardly compare our lives to those who lived in Rome during the last quarter of the 1st century. Christians were a minority in Rome when 1 Peter was written. In the 1st century, dictatorial emperors ruled Rome and fostered the Pax of Rome’s peace through victory, victory through violence. Except for Nero’s tyranny in 64 CE when Rome burned, the widespread persecution of Christians by Rome came later in history. 1 Peter is speaking to persecution related to being a minority and being a minority group who described its leader using the same descriptors demanded by the Emperor: Lord, Son of God, etc. Peter and Paul were both most likely executed in Rome under Nero’s reign. Even though the worst was yet to come, the Christians of  1st Century Rome faced great peril. It seems to me what we call persecution today is more akin to angst because we do not always get our way. We have become the privileged.

While we in the USA live in a representative democracy, not an empire, we are now in the role of being citizens of one of the most powerful nations on earth, if not the most powerful nation.  This role reversal demands consideration as we try to make sense of our roles as witnesses to the love of God through Jesus Christ. How do we mesh our faith with our responsibilities as citizens in a democracy? Do we force our beliefs on our fellow citizens by incorporating them into civil law? Do we demand exceptions, resulting from our beliefs, be made by the government from requirements everyone else must obey? Most difficult of all, whose “Christian” beliefs are the “Christian” beliefs when Christians are seriously divided on what is justice?

Do we practice the art of discernment among our diverse peoples? Do we dust off the act of negotiation and give it a try? Do we place our challenges before God and seek clarity regarding what it means to be the Body of Christ in the 21st Century?

Prayer: Lord, you have brought us to this place and this time to carry out your work, give us the tools and talents we need and the power of your Spirit to guide us. 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.

Being the Body of Christ

Eastertide
April 29, 2017

Scripture Reading: Luke 24:13-35

Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?’ He asked them, ‘What things?’ They replied, ‘The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.
–Luke 24:18-21

Leaders are important as are followers. The people attracted to Jesus were longing for another Moses. They wanted a savior, but then what? The story of Moses is full of “What have you done for me now?” segments. “You bought us out into this desert and now we are starving.” “You climbed up a mountain and left us to our own devices so we turned to a golden calf.” Jesus knew well the adventures of the Israelites. From the beginning of his ministry, he worked to prepare them for the day when he would not be there and his work would continue. In the shock that accompanies grief, Cleopas was dealing with how to go on without our leader who fully expects us to continue his work.

Perhaps the single most important aspect of the Resurrection is the truth of Jesus’ continuing leadership through the enabling of each of his followers in their roles as part of the Body of Christ active and engaged in the world.

Prayer: Lord, here am I send me wherever and whenever you need me. Continue to prepare me for my next assignment. 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.

Discerning Christ among Us

Eastertide
April 24, 2017

Scripture Reading: Acts 2:14a, 36-41

Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.’

 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what should we do?’ Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. –Acts 2:36-38

Hindsight often abbreviates memory. Acts was probably written in the 80’s CE following the fall of the temple around 70 CE. Some 20 to 30 years earlier Paul wrote extensively about his work mediating the issues of integrating the idea of Jesus as Messiah into the mainstream of Judaism while taking on the task of spreading that same news to the gentile world. By the time of the writing of Acts, Christianity was a separate religion with strong reliance on Judaism as its parent faith. Paul seemed to remain a good practicing Jew throughout his life. The writer of Acts, presumed to be Luke as identified, was Christian. With one sentence, one verse, Luke sums up several years of history with, as he states, certainty. Peter is the speaker in our scripture today. He was most likely martyred about the same time as Paul in the early 60’s CE. In this presentation, Peter appears to have transitioned to the new faith by the Pentecost immediately following the resurrection.

As we struggle with being church today, we should remember that since its beginning, leaders and followers met barriers or cultural norms that had to be addressed to fulfill the calling to be the Body of Christ in the world. These are normal in all aspects of life and our most important task is keeping our purpose of being the Body of Christ foremost so that dealing with issues remain means to the end rather than the end itself. I fear we get so caught up in what divides us, we, at times, lose the bigger picture.

Prayer: Lord, help us as the church universal identify the things on which we can agree and work diligently toward their fulfillment. Where we disagree, guide our discernment to find common ground. 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.

Finding Common Cause

Lent
March 13, 2017

Scripture Reading: Exodus 17:1-7

From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. The people quarreled with Moses, and said, ‘Give us water to drink.’ Moses said to them, ‘Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?’ But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, ‘Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?’
–Exodus 17:1-3

What is it about people that we want what we want when we want it but often take no responsibility for making it happen? Not having water to drink is serious. Death occurs within days with continuous lack of water or water equivalent. Fear can cause people to become quarrelsome in times of peril. A long history of oppression, like the Israelites experienced in slavery under Egypt, discourages self-determination. I wonder how many of the Israelites left Egypt simply because everyone else was doing it? Not having a clear purpose stifles initiative.

The challenge with working with a group of people of differing ages, personalities, or goals in life is helping them find the common cause from which they can build a better reality. This is exactly what every church faces as it strives to do its part in being the Body of Christ in the world today. The problems differ if the group is well known to each other or very new to each other and the church is generally coordinated both circumstances.

It goes against human nature but it is always easier to deal with issues when they arise rather than letting them fester and grow. Moses addressed discord quickly in our scripture today. Introducing new ideas calls on creative skills. Most important of all is assuring that people buy-in to the mission and vision of the group. Practicing good listening skills helps too.

Practical stuff, people in business deal with every day, can more easily be determined when profit margin is the primary target of a for-profit entity. What is the primary target or focus of the church or a congregation?

Prayer: Lord, what are you calling us to do or be? Help us to become one in our mission in service to you. Help us find our niche. 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.

Mentors

Epiphany
February 10, 2017

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labor of each. For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building. –1 Corinthians 3:5-9

I find word usage interesting and, thus, on reading What then is Apollos? What is Paul? I was curious about the word translated “What” rather than “Who”. Is the translation important to the understanding of the text? This quote is from the New Revised Standard Version. Other more recent translations consistently use “What”; the King James translation uses “Who”. It makes a difference because “what” describes perhaps a role a person holds; “who” refers to the person. Strong’s Concordance indicates the Greek word tis could mean who, which, what, why*. This information gave me a greater appreciation of translators and made me very glad I was not one. Knowing that I am swimming dangerously in unknown waters, I think that the use of “What” is intended to connote the role of spokesperson, preacher, perhaps apostle.

It is the season for drafting various high school students into college athletic programs. In such instances while we are watching wonderful players on good teams working hard to get to championships, their replacements are already being identified and groomed. Jesus invested much time in grooming his followers together to become his Body carrying out his mission. While our responsibilities in fulfilling our “what” callings are important, it is just as important that we groom and mentor our replacements. We are each uniquely and wonderfully made, which means there will never be another you or me, making our contributions critical; and there will always be another her or him to carry on the work of a loving God.

Prayer: Loving God, make us each good role models and mentors, teachers and facilitators for those who strive with us and will follow us in your service. Amen.

*http://biblehub.com/greek/5101.htm

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.

Active and Engaged Disciples

emmanuelAdvent
December 23, 2016

Scripture Reading: Titus 2:11-14
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

Active and engaged in living describes the vision Christ brought to us. He remains integrally involved training, redeeming, purifying, and making us zealous for good deeds. His work is as ongoing as ours is. We still have so much to learn. When calamity throws us to the ground, we continue to require Christ’s forbearance repeatedly to dust ourselves off and get back up to finish our journey. We occasionally find ourselves mired in the ways of the world needing Christ’s cleansing love to make us whole again. And there remain more good deeds calling us than we will ever be able to do without the synergy of God’s love in Christ and the fellowship of the Body of Christ in the world today.

We serve a risen Savior, and during Advent, we recall the time before his coming preparing to celebrate his arrival, God with Us. Let today be a day of thanksgiving for redemption draws nigh*.

Prayer: Lord, in the busyness of this season, let us not lose sight of the significance of your coming to us in human form, an innocent baby, Savior of the World. Amen.

*Derived from Luke 21:28

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.

 

Diversity vs. Division

diversity2Living in the Spirit
October 22, 2016

Scripture Reading: Luke 18:9-14

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.” –Luke 18:9-12

There is no place for God when we are full of ourselves. Paradoxically being full of ourselves leaves us empty. There seems to be a lot of empty souls these days. Is the church, the called Body of Christ, missing the mark on bringing wholeness to a broken world? Have we gotten so caught up in being right that we are wronging the ones we are commissioned to serve? Is the Pharisee’s need to exclaim his righteousness merely a cry for help in filling his emptiness?

If nothing else comes out of our divisive election cycle this year, the church’s need to model oneness must be recognized and reignited. Diversity and divisiveness do not share the same meaning. I can never fully understand you, and you can never fully understand me. As we encounter the full spectrum of humanity throughout our universe, we can choose to be blessed by learning and growing together through our differences or we can curse ourselves to flounder in emptiness through isolation, bigotry, and privilege. Make no mistake it is a choice.

I strongly encourage everyone to vote on November 8. Prayerfully study the candidates and issues and express your sense of what is best for attaining the Common Good at all levels of our governments. On November 9, dedicate yourself first to praying for the Body of Christ being a conduit for oneness in a diverse world. Second work with all your heart to make oneness a reality. If you want, you can start praying today for the Oneness of God and never stop until we attain it with God’s help.

Prayer: Lord, make us whole make us one. 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 American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.

What Does Jesus Want?

body-of-christLiving in the Spirit
September 3, 2016

Scripture Reading: Luke 14:25-33

Now large crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to them, ‘Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, “This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.” –Luke 14:25-30

What is the most important thing in the world to me? The love of God including my relationship with God is high on my list, most of the time. I like to think it is on the top of my list, but I still have a list. Our scripture today does not seem to allow for a list. What is Jesus asking of his followers?

Serving as a member of the Body of Christ is not for the faint-hearted. It demands more than we sometimes think we have. It defines and shapes every aspect of our lives, how we relate to our families, the roles we play in communities, our work choices and practices, how we invest our resources, and on and on. God is not an appointment on our calendars:

Sunday morning at 11:00 am  Check_mark_23x20_02_svg

God is our very source of life and love, too powerful even to describe. God combined with each of us individually, and all of us collectively, who choose to follow in Christ’s footsteps, engages in creating a just, peaceful, and loving world every moment of every day. God through Jesus Christ invites all to be a part of that vision but wants us to recognize from the beginning that it is an invitation to a changed life.

Prayer: Lord, I believe in your vision; help me find my role in making it a reality, teach me new skills where I might need them, give me courage when it is lacking, strengthen my weak knees*, and guard my tongue**.

*See Hebrews 12:12
**See Psalm 141:3

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.

Consequences

responsLiving in the Spirit
August 30, 2016

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 18:1-11

Now, therefore, say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: Thus says the Lord: Look, I am a potter shaping evil against you and devising a plan against you. Turn now, all of you from your evil way, and amend your ways and your doings. –Jeremiah 18:11

My first inclination is to apply Jeremiah’s warnings as personal, individual. Of course, he is writing to the people of Israel, a community of faith and a nation among nations. I also must read Jeremiah from my belief system that I am a part of the Body of Christ. The Body of Christ is called to develop a kingdom reflecting God’s love while living in a nation in a world as diverse or more so than the middle east in the 6th century BCE with Israel nestled among many tribes and empires. Verse eleven brings us to the other side of choice. We readily accept the first side, freedom. The other side is responsibility. We must face the consequences of our actions. Israel had not accepted responsibility and found itself in exile.

We face the same issues today digging out of protecting our self-interest, lust for power, and greed. The USA is becoming or perhaps has become a nation of have’s and have-nots justified by racism, sexism, nationalism, and privilege. We even quote scripture to rationalize our behavior without concern for how much our actions and attitudes separate us from God.

Jeremiah called the Israelites to turn around from what he calls their evil ways and get back on the track toward being a people building on God’s ways. He still speaks to us today.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for our stubborn failure to see both the freedom you provide us and the resulting responsibility. Give us the courage to meet our love obligations. 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 American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.