Class Assignment: Reflection on 1 Corinthians

Ok, some of you may not like this one so much...

            In Paul’s letter to the believers in Corinth, he gently but sternly speaks to them about the importance of unity and diversity of the believers in Christ. This passage is often times viewed and preached for the importance of church wide participation, unity in the community, and understanding that spiritual gifts have an active and important role in the church. While the message appears to be very clear, what is not stated is destruction that happens in the deficiency of unity and diversity. The body becomes plagued; destroyed from the inside out with an autoimmune disease.

            An autoimmune disease happens when a body’s immune system begins to attack its own healthy organs or tissue with the intent of destroying them. While this description of an improperly functioning body is describing the physical body, the body of Christ can also suffer from this sickness. In 1 Corinthians, Paul describes one part of the body dismissing its need for another; an autoimmune disease is when the body’s statement of unneeded parts becomes an attack to destroy its own health.

            Paul recognizes that this view of unneeded parts is actually contrary and states “those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable” (1 Corinthians 12:22 NIV). It is the perception of the other body parts that need to be adjusted so that what seems to be unneeded is given its proper value; they are indispensable. Most often this type of autoimmune disease is seen in the damage of gossip and slander, and the offenders are not even aware of the harm they are inflicting on their own health.

            A very clear understanding of the body not recognizing it’s needs for others is why Paul wrote this before describing the how the gifts are to be used in the body of Christ. Without the understanding of each person’s importance, the importance of the gifts they bring will be lost. As leaders and followers of Christ, great care must be taken to insure that we are not attacking our own body because of a skewed perception. Rather, “the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty” (1 Corinthians 12:23 NIV). This consideration of each other will bring unity and diversity and remove the autoimmune disease among us.

Class Assignment: Reflection on John

            Upon reflecting on the Gospel of John, during the Last Supper (John 13:21-30) John recounts what Jesus was saying specifically about his betrayer Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. The symnoptic Gospels focus more on Jesus serving the first communion, and while it is not easy to dismiss the deep reflection that Jesus shared with his disciples, those same insights of the breaking of bread and drinking the cup are referenced in the Gospel of John.

             “Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.’” John 6:53-56

            The curious part of this observation, one would assume that because John was “the Beloved” his account of the Last Supper would have intimate details of those precious last moments before the crucifixion. Why would John focus on the betrayer rather than his experience as the beloved? Instead he shares an intimate action that happens before the serving of the bread and the wine. John describes the humbling experience of having his feet washed by Jesus, an account that is only listed in John’s Gospel.

“When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. ‘Do you understand what I have done for you?’ he asked them. ‘You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.’” John 13:12-17

It was this memory that John share, for it was this one that had more significance for him. There is an identifying with community and with Christ in the sacraments, but in Jesus washing John’s feet, he was identifying John as his own. It was after John’s feet were washed that he leaned on the Lord’s chest and before partaking. The intimate insight of John sharing that he was claimed first before choosing communion with others is a powerful message of belonging before becoming.

Class Assignment: Reflection on Matthew

           The Gospel of Matthew is written with an emphasis on Jesus as an authoritative teacher. Matthew observed that Jesus’s audience recognized and responded to his teaching: “When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.” (Matthew 7:28-29 NIV) For one to have authority, it implies that they are an expert and have the right to command their audience. This authority is part of Christ’s deity; but also being fully man, Christ had to demonstrate that his human will was in submission to his deity.

            He includes the account of Christ being tempted by Satan in Matthew 4:1-10. Christ was tempted in three areas: the miraculous appearing and provision of food; the testing of God to defy the laws of science; and to worship Satan in exchange for worldly dominion. By not giving into temptation, Christ demonstrated that his human nature was in submission to God. He had victory over temptation before starting his public ministry.

            During his public ministry and up till the time of his resurrection, Christ uses his authority in the same areas in which he was tempted. In Matthew 14, Christ preforms the miracle of food provision (Mt 14:19-21). Jesus then used his authority to defy the laws of science by walking on water (Mt 14:25-33). He also demonstrated his authority of dominion by claiming all authority on heaven and on earth after his resurrection (Mt 28:16-20).

            Christ’s victory over temptation had a direct impact on his ministry. By conquering temptation, it validated Christ’s authority. Temptation, by design, is supposed to subject, destroy, and kill. It is also not an indication of weakness or inadequacy. By overcoming temptation, one is then available to God moving in authority in those areas. Victory over temptation is more than a relief from the current struggle; it is a powerful indicator of the authority that God has given to move in the supernatural.  

Class Assignment: Reflection on Mark

“The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

            ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,

            who will prepare your way’ –

            ‘a voice of one calling in the wilderness,

            “Prepare the way for the Lord,

            make straight paths for him.”’

And so, John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”      Mark 1:1-4 NIV

Mark starts his Gospel with prophecy given about the ministry of John the Baptist. It is an extremely powerful statement; the book of Mark starts with the fulfillment of prophecies, plans, and purposes.

            Upon first reading, it is easy to see why John the Baptist was able to move powerfully in his ministry; it had been clearly prophesied. There was mission to his devotion and it guided John the Baptist to the fulfillment of Christ’s coming and water baptism. Like John the Baptist, Christ’s followers have the same prophesy spoken over them; go, prepare the bride, and preach according to what Christ has revealed.

The unique location of John the Baptist is similar to the atmosphere of the current culture. While there is not the presence of geographical wilderness, as described by Mark, there is a spiritual dryness and ruggedness to the post-modern culture. Christ followers are not called to hang out getting fat on the lush landscape of the church, but to go the “wilderness” of culture. While not every community reflects this attitude of disengagement with the “wilderness” around them, it is common in the American Church.  

It is easy to become discouraged with the day-to-day monotony, and loose sight of the reasons behind actions. To realize that there is fulfillment in life in the areas of prophecies, plans, and purposes; gives life and vision to live out to the fullness of what God has intended. Identifying with the purpose of John the Baptist, that the church is to prepare for Christ’ second coming is a centering reminder through the chaos of life.