8/16/17
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
I think it is instructive to us that Paul went to Corinth immediately after he was in Athens. We can see the work he did in Athens, where few believed on Jesus. Then he promptly went to Corinth. In Corinth he decided that he would act as though he knew nothing but Jesus crucified for sinners. The pattern of engaging people in the synagogues went on just as before. But here there were many converts. A thriving church congregation was established.
When we make much of Jesus, we normally see the Holy Spirit working in our midst. Was everything peaches and cream in Corinth? Not at all. In fact, both of the letters to the Corinthians indicate there were some deep problems in the church there. However, it was a community of Christ, looking to God’s Word, and bringing the Gospel to others. This is not a bad outcome. People were hearing, they were believing, and they were receiving baptism.
How can we make much of Jesus in our own community? That is different from one city to another. It differs from time to time. What we do know, though is that Jesus has given himself to reconcile people to God. May we ever seek to engage in a ministry which draws people to God’s forgiving love in Jesus.
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.
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
I think it is instructive to us that Paul went to Corinth immediately after he was in Athens. We can see the work he did in Athens, where few believed on Jesus. Then he promptly went to Corinth. In Corinth he decided that he would act as though he knew nothing but Jesus crucified for sinners. The pattern of engaging people in the synagogues went on just as before. But here there were many converts. A thriving church congregation was established.
When we make much of Jesus, we normally see the Holy Spirit working in our midst. Was everything peaches and cream in Corinth? Not at all. In fact, both of the letters to the Corinthians indicate there were some deep problems in the church there. However, it was a community of Christ, looking to God’s Word, and bringing the Gospel to others. This is not a bad outcome. People were hearing, they were believing, and they were receiving baptism.
How can we make much of Jesus in our own community? That is different from one city to another. It differs from time to time. What we do know, though is that Jesus has given himself to reconcile people to God. May we ever seek to engage in a ministry which draws people to God’s forgiving love in Jesus.
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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