For my part, I am going to
boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that
Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the
stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns
that they dictate. Can’t you see the central issue in all this? It is not what
you and I do—submit to circumcision, reject circumcision. It is what God is
doing, and he is creating something totally new, a free life! All who walk by
this standard are the true Israel of God—his chosen people. Peace and mercy on
them!
Quite frankly, I don’t want to
be bothered anymore by these disputes. I have far more important things to
do—the serious living of this faith. I bear in my body scars from my service to
Jesus.
May what our Master Jesus
Christ gives freely be deeply and personally yours, my friends. Oh, yes!
Today, we finish
Galatians with Paul’s final words to these churches. He re-emphasizes that there is no need to
require non-Jews to comply with Torah law concerning circumcision. Where Jews used circumcision and other laws
to separate themselves from others as God’s chosen people, there is now no more
need for that. Christ has made us all God’s
chosen people.
In support of
this central point of Paul’s letter, he leaves us another gem:
For my part, I am going to
boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that
Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the
stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns
that they dictate. (vs. 14-15)
Instead of finding ways to play
the one upmanship game that seems to come naturally to us humans, Paul
encourages us to focus on what Christ has done.
The more we do that, the less tendency we will have to puff ourselves
up. We are set free from all that
crap. It reminds me of one of the great
hymns of the church by Isaac Watts:
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride
Comparing ourselves, finding reasons
to look down on others, or putting others on a pedestal above us are all toxic
to our relationships. Paul bids us to
let all that be crucified with Christ and be free to be who God made you to be
– no more and no less. When we all do
that together, we become something truly divine – the Body of Christ. This is what Paul meant earlier in the letter
when he says, “I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in
you.” He longs for this. I have to say that I long for it too – for you,
for me. . . for us!
Questions: Are there people you look down on? What forms the basis of that “looking
down?” When you hold that justification
up to the Cross, what happens? What
about the other way around – are there people you consider to be “better than”
you. How does the basis for that
judgement hold up to the Cross?
Prayer: God, purge toxic comparisons from our heart
and mind. We want the life you designed
for us to live together – no more and no less.
Make us the true Body of Christ! Amen.
Prayer Focus: Pray for people who are struggling to find
employment right now.
Song: The Wonderful Cross – Matt Redman & Chris
Tomlin
