This is wildly scandalous by Paul. We read it as commonplace, having heard is so many times, but Paul is telling the church in Galatia that anyone can be an offspring of Abraham. Previously, this was only available to the descendants of Abraham, to the true Jewish community. But here comes Paul, telling the church that anyone in Christ is welcome and equal in the church.
I imagine that ruffled some feathers then, and it probably ruffles some feathers now. We like the church to reflect ourselves, to fit with our expectations... but Christ isn't like that. Jesus spent his time in earthly ministry widening the community, eating with the outcasts, spending time with those neglected by society. Jesus shows us how radical the love of God is, and invites us to follow wherever he might lead. Jesus leads to some places we wouldn't expect, but the Holy Spirit is at work everywhere, and we have to realize that we are the same as everyone -- we're only acceptable to God because of what Christ has done for us, no matter what our life here on earth may look like. We don't earn extra merit badges in heaven because our life is clean and tidy -- we're covered by grace, and so we are invited to remember that as we gather as a church -- God calls us and sends us, covered in love and grace, to be the church in the world.
No comments:
Post a Comment