Reflection National Lockdown Wednesday 02 September 2020

1 Corinthians 3:1-9                Psalm 62                     Luke 4:38-44

The Martyrs of New Guinea

Collect:

Eternal God by whose grace your martyrs of New Guinea triumphed over suffering and was faithful unto death:

Move us by their example to deeper devotion and perseverance in our Christian calling;

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.       Amen.

Good day dear friends

Our Corinthians reading is about the rebuke issued to the people of Corinth for their disagreements and arguments in the church after Paul’s departure. Some amongst the believers started to argue about the fulfilment of Jewish expectations on the Greek speaking converts and how they should relate to the church and the apostolic leadership. It was there for necessary for Paul and others to impress upon them the need to have a dependent relationship with Christ as the foundation and head of the Christian fellowship. They were warned about bringing their Greek cultures and practices into the Christian community and therewith causing a corru8ption in the basic tenets of the faith as was established by Jesus.

Paul and the other leaders taught total dependence upon Christ as redeemer and encouraged believers to build on the foundation laid by Christ as a way of securing the purity of the faith as accompanied by a spirit of humility and not wise boastfulness. The newly established church was to be known by the simple fact that man by nature is sinful and in need of the grace of God, to be obtained through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ and not through clever arguments and disagreements over minor issues. Paul took issue with the understanding that doctrinal knowledge translates to a good and proper understanding of the faith and uses his own expert training to disprove the arguments advanced by some amongst the Corinthians.  Simple faith in Jesus Christ is meant to be a uniting force that brings about harmony and peace and not a bone of contention and the basis for quarrels and disputes that separate people. It is in search of vain glory and to be recognized by man that believers involve themselves in these debates and disputes. One does not gain access to redemption by speaking evil of fellow brothers/sisters and or by despising them as being ill-natured and sinful as if self being above reproach. Declaring the basic tenets of the Christian faith and being knowledgeable about the precepts of the faith does not make one a good Christian, the faith needs to be practiced and should translate to a transformed life. The leaders over whom the contention  aroused are only mere co-workers with God and used as instruments and should not replace God. The one that planted and the one who watered are only employed by God to attend to the flock with the same revelation and design and are not representing differences in education and or importance. They are only exercising different gifts received from the same spirit to be employed to the same end, namely to secure the redemption of the people of Corinth. It is about being faithful and giving your best, to obtain the rewards prepared by God himself to be conferred upon those who promote the purposes of His glory and the redemption of the lost souls in Corinth.

Psalm 62 is all about David’s confidence in God as opposed to trust in the world and what it has on offer. David has given himself completely to God and surrendered his comfort, future and expectations and not just out of duty, but as a demonstration of his total dependence upon God. He is doing so not just duty bound, but with a cheerful spirit as one who trusts God to provide for his every need and bringing about satisfaction. David does this and lay claim on God’s faithfulness on the basis of his personal experience of God’s grace, providence and support that was granted him. He proclaims God as his rock and salvation and acknowledges that he and all other creatures are nothing without God.

David’s confidence in God is accompanied by the expectation of the overthrow of his enemies at the hand of the same God who have delivered him.

This is a call to patience in our dealings with God and opportunity of surrender in total dependence upon the grace of God. He who saved our souls will give us all things in abundance as a sign that He is only about our spiritual well-being. Like David we should allow our faith in and trust upon God to advance to unshakeable steadfastness to secure our joy and victory through prayer and meditation. Upon receipt of such grace, comfort and mercy, we are meant to share this with other believers without fear of losing any of its value. We should trust God to guide us in our doubt, to protect us in danger, to supply our needs and to strengthen us in our toils and labours for Him and the saving of the souls of the lost. Ours is to submit our wants and wishes unto Him and to patiently wait upon Him and His deliverance. We as consistent believers will receive all from God, but will one day be called upon to account for our use thereof.  God will reward those who put their trust and confidence in Him and will remove their transgressions as proof of His abundant mercy. Let us trust in his mercy and grace, and abound in his work, expecting mercies from him alone. 

The Gospel today reports four different events namely: the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law, the healing of many sick people at night, after Saturday, the prayer of Jesus in a desolate place and His persistence on the mission to other communities. Jesus after the observation of the Sabbath worship retired to the house of his friend Peter where He, Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law. The healing was promptly and she placed herself to the service of the visitors as someone completely healed. This act of healing was closely followed by the healing of many that were sick and possessed, who were brought to Jesus by family and friends. These people, who found themselves at the mercy of public charity, suffered not only physical or spiritual illnesses, but also marginalisation in the communities they lived in. They were lonely, considered outcasts, impure and had no one to go to for assistance and were not allowed to make any contribution to society or to influence the decisions that were made on their behalf. These people experienced rejection and exclusion from the community and it was Jesus who made them insiders by accepting and healing them through the laying on of hands and personal touch. They were included and integrated into the community by Jesus, through a simple act of healing. This resulted in people seeking after Jesus and being even prepared to disturb his withdrawal to a place of quiet for prayer and meditation. Jesus went to a deserted place to be able to stay in touch with the father and to maintain His consciousness of His mission. The people followed him and wanted to prevent Him from leaving, hoping that He would stay on longer and relax in His achievement and apparent success in mission. Jesus however was very clear about His mission and did not stop at the result obtained, but wanted to share the good news with other communities. His mission was received from the Father in prayer and meditation and needed to be completed within the timeframe provided. There was no time to be wasted on the enjoyment of short term achievements and successes, whilst there were others waiting to receive grace and blessings.

Do we set aside time for prayer and quiet with God?

Are we aware of our mission, or do we live outside of any mission and or form of ministry?

Let us pray:

Almighty God, every good thing comes from you.

Fill our hearts with love for you, increase our faith, and by your constant care protect the good you have given us.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives, and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.