Author: Wick

As I was speaking about the different parts of the body of Christ last month, something struck me. It’s nothing huge. It’s probably struck me before, and probably struck you long ago. But I felt it worth mentioning.

In 1 Corinthians 13, there are a whole lot of words discussing the concept of Love. It makes sense. Love is found throughout the Word of God, because of the simple fact that we believe God “is” Love (1 John 4:7-8). For these reasons, and more, you often hear 1 Corinthians called “the love chapter”. It’s used at weddings. It’s used by Christian guys to impress/woo Christian girls worldwide. It’s used by youth pastors to teach his students the kind of Love to look for (and be) in a dating relationship. It’s used by Pastors to talk about how God’s love is for us, etc.

But in reading 1 Corinthians chapter 12 (the chapter just before it, for the numerically challenged), we find a discussion of the parts of the Body of believers. Some had begun to envy “more important parts”, or even compete for various parts of the Church. Paul instructs them this is not right theology, pointing out that every part of the body is just as important, and yet not solely important.

He then says, “I will show you a still more excellent way.” Then goes into the “love chapter”.

So all of these words about love, are to reveal to the people of God, how to exist as a healthy body. It’s not about growth systems. Not about purpose statements. Not about saving as many lost souls as possible. Not about how many people attend your Sunday School class or various services. Not about a seamless worship service, or fluent Biblical teaching. Not about my likes or dislikes, and social preferences.

It’s about Love. About responding/living from love to each other in the body. About ‘doing things’ in the body when we do them, with Love. It’s about standing as the Body in a world that has lost sense of True Love, and proclaiming it – even at the point of great sacrifice. But not to make a point or statement…and not to simply change laws/challenge systems. But to proclaim Love, and a Kingdom built on it.

This is the Love Christ shows for all creation in His life/death/resurrection…

And all other loves we have are given to be reflections/illustrations of that Love.

Just a reminder that tomorrow you will have your opportunity to be an active citizen locally. If you live near me, here is a previous blog you may want to check concerning out local elections.

Interesting to be speaking politically during the week before Easter. We celebrated Palm Sunday yesterday, recognizing the day that Christ entered to a King’s welcome – hardly looking like a King. The people viewed him as the political Messiah. He was going to break the bonds of Roman rule over them, and take his rightful place as King over all the Jews. They may not have understood how/why it was this meek man with a comely appearance, but after viewing the miracles he was able to perform – most of them shrugged their shoulders and cheered that he had finally arrived!!

They were desperate for that Messiah.

We know now that Jesus was not that Messiah. Not due to any failure on his part, either. It was never his goal. It’s not what he was about. He came to proclaim the powers and systems and structures of this world to be powerless. To announce the arrival and beginning of the Kingdom of God. To reveal God’s love for all things created, and His desire to reach all creation through humanity. To live out a new system of living, based in the Spirit and not in the values/sources of this world.

We are desperate for that Messiah.

It’s a good time for us to check ourselves (before we wreck ourselves?). Why do we lay our palms before Jesus? Why are we so darned excited about his existence/arrival? Are we ascribing some quality to how incredible Jesus is – that he would not proclaim himself?

Are we anxious for all creation to be restored/made new? For the slaves to become free? For the unloved to know they’re loved? For God’s Kingdom/Life to flood over all we know and live by?

Or are we anxious to escape hell/earth? To get our wings? Waiting on the rapture? Thankful that Jesus fills our “God-shaped hole”, and figure that’s about all we need? Glad to have something “solid” to excuse/give “purpose” to our motivations?

As we welcome this week, may we be aware of why we get excited about Jesus Christ entering creation. Looking forward to celebrating with all of the cosmos…

My daughter is a Snow White in training…