10 June 2005

Today we end the week with a bit from the fourth chapter of 1 Corinthians.

Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Quite apart from us you have become kings. Indeed, I wish that you had become kings, so that we might be kings with you. (1 Cor. 4:8)

In the next verses, it will be come clear that Paul and his companions in the spreading of the gospel are anything but kings. In fact, they are intensely persecuted. To the Corinthians though, there was this notion that the complete Reign of God was present and complete. And yet, as their teacher will help them see, the road of the followers of Jesus is along a road in a world that does not take to this Jesus life. Yes, there may be quite a bit of enthusiasm at the beginning of the journey into the land of grace, but this land is an alien place and that makes the Corinthians and us - aliens no matter where we might be. It almost seems strange today to see the Church of Christ so intertwined with the powers of the world...almost to the extent that Christians simply assume that governments should bow down and do whatever we would like. In some ways, I think Paul would look at what many of us are doing today and simply laugh - or cry. Rather than be the suffering servants of all, we have tried to put ourselves in the company of the worlds kings and queens and rulers.

Connection: Always...we serve and we return to the Christ who is our way and our life. That means that as we recipients of grace we are also the vehicle of grace to the world around us. It is as we are on that road that we may face something other than praise.

Lord of the Resurrection, we long to live within your glory and yet we still must trod along the way of your Beloved. It is a road that will take us more deeply into the blessedness of service to others and care for the world. Grand us the strength to move in that way and the vision to keep our eyes on the glory that comes within our service and our loving. Amen.