Romans 12:4-8
4For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, 5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. 6We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; 7ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; 8the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.
For two years running I have helped guide, and have labored in, the Wonder of Christmas events. In August and September, when plans are just beginning to take shape, the core leaders and I look at each other and wonder…how. How are we going to accomplish all the decorating; how are we going to arrange the various featured events; how are we going to get the word out that the community is invited; the list goes on. We begin with feelings of bewilderment, and quickly become overwhelmed. But then, as the beautiful passage from Romans suggests, the body of Christ comes together, to join in the effort and function as one. Some agree to work with sound equipment; others volunteer to host the snack table; creative minds come up with shows, plays, petting zoos and more; and helpers come out en masse to clean up after Christmas is over.
When we gather together to unleash our gifts for ministry, the impact is enormous. The larger community takes note, and God is glorified. Further, when we work together toward a common goal, we experience joy. Joy in discovering that our gifts are valued and appreciated; joy in serving beyond ourselves, and joy in laboring alongside fellow disciples of the body of Christ.
God’s work. Our hands. Go, to love and serve the Lord!
Pastor Katie
For reflection:
How have you discovered the gifts you have for ministry? In what ways have you unleashed them?
What are some impediments to your using your gifts within the body of Christ?
In what ways are your gifts a witness to the larger community?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIndeed we all have different callings and abilities. Indeed all gifts are important to form the whole body of Christ. In that spirit the following was prepared as a teaching for your contemplation.
ReplyDelete“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.” John 5:39
“….For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore, let us keep the feast, not with old leaven,….”
I Cor. 7b-8a
“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things…….But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot:” I Peter 1:18-19
“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Psalms 22:1
Here we are in Lent searching to learn more about the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord and how these things relate to us and our worship of God. We have looked at several passages so far, but specifics about the history of Jesus’ death and resurrection are missing. A deeper look at the details will cast a light on our studies that in this blog series we have not yet covered.
If we follow Jesus command to search the scriptures, we find that the word "search" in John 5:39 means to investigate, inquire, or seek. Notes from the Companion Bible show that the meaning is to search as a lion or hound tracks a scent. That’s pretty diligent! So, let’s proceed to this search by checking the Bible passages listed above, beginning with I Cor. 7b-8a.
Remember that the goal here is to find some details that may be new to us. Jesus was crucified and died just as the Passover celebration was to start. We remember that the Jews in charge were in a hurry to remove the bodies from the crosses because it was a requirement of the preparation to do so. The passages here in I Corinthians and I Peter pertain to Jesus’ sacrifice being the ultimate Passover offering. Another way to think of this is to realize that Jesus fulfilled the Passover.
Did you ever wonder why we have a lamb superimposed on a cross on some of our altar paraments? The New Testament compares Jesus to a spotless lamb in more than one place. You should use your Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance to find the other passages. Perhaps a refresher reading of the first Passover would also be beneficial. Jesus really was the Passover lamb offered for our sins!
Just as the ancient Israelites remembered and repeated the various requirements of that first Passover, we remember and commemorate all Jesus did for us in our celebration of Lent. Another detail we see is that in Acts 12:4 the word Easter (used only this one time in the New Testament) is really a reference to the Passover. So, it is truly appropriate to consider what we call “Easter” to be the Christian Passover.
Another important source of specifics about Jesus’ sacrifice for us is found in the famous prayer from Psalm 22. This first verse is an introduction to the psalm written by King David. Here David prophesies, giving incredible details, especially when you consider that he did so nearly 1000 years before the events took place. Did you know that David was a prophet as well as a king?
Another point to consider is that Jesus quoted Psalm 22:1 on the cross. In fact, he probably was teaching the entire psalm. Some like to say that He was asking God why He was being forsaken. That does not seem likely when you consider that Jesus called God “Father” when speaking to Him. Furthermore, common sense should tell us that God would not desert His only Son at the most critical time. No, it makes more sense that Jesus was as miraculous as always, thinking about saving His loved ones even unto His own death!
After reading and contemplating Psalm 22 and all the scriptures mentioned here, I hope you will agree that they are all necessary additions to the Lenten devotions.
Bonus: As a side note, for all those skeptics who think the Old Testament is myth, the prophesy of Psalm 22 is a powerful proof of authenticity.