3/20/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
In 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, the apostle warns the Corinthians. They, as God’s people, are, according to Paul, partakers of the identity of Israel. They all passed through the Red Sea with Moses, though the event was around 1400 years earlier. God gives his people a group identity, and it is one in which his people are under his protective hand. They are those rescued by the Lord.
What happened to the people of Israel? They took matters into their own hands (v. 7). The result of taking their own initiative was an immoral departure from the faith, eventually leading to destruction. They followed their temptation and their desires, departing from the collective people of God.
The Corinthians were never with Moses. How does this apply? Just like the people of Israel, they could remain under the protection of God through faith in Christ. When they choose to pursue their own desires, to solve the problem of eternal life according to their own plan, they will certainly fail. As with the Corinthians, so with us. Christians are called to trust that Jesus has done all that is necessary for our life and salvation. As Moses brought the people of Israel through the sea, Jesus has promised to bring those who trust in Him through death to emerge safely on the other side. We are warned not to trust in our own way, for without it we will not emerge unharmed. As we trust in Christ, we are safe. As we trust ourselves, we are doomed.
This should not be difficult for us to analyze and decide upon. As Christ has called us his people, let us walk as his people.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
In 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, the apostle warns the Corinthians. They, as God’s people, are, according to Paul, partakers of the identity of Israel. They all passed through the Red Sea with Moses, though the event was around 1400 years earlier. God gives his people a group identity, and it is one in which his people are under his protective hand. They are those rescued by the Lord.
What happened to the people of Israel? They took matters into their own hands (v. 7). The result of taking their own initiative was an immoral departure from the faith, eventually leading to destruction. They followed their temptation and their desires, departing from the collective people of God.
The Corinthians were never with Moses. How does this apply? Just like the people of Israel, they could remain under the protection of God through faith in Christ. When they choose to pursue their own desires, to solve the problem of eternal life according to their own plan, they will certainly fail. As with the Corinthians, so with us. Christians are called to trust that Jesus has done all that is necessary for our life and salvation. As Moses brought the people of Israel through the sea, Jesus has promised to bring those who trust in Him through death to emerge safely on the other side. We are warned not to trust in our own way, for without it we will not emerge unharmed. As we trust in Christ, we are safe. As we trust ourselves, we are doomed.
This should not be difficult for us to analyze and decide upon. As Christ has called us his people, let us walk as his people.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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