Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Thought for the Day: This past Sunday, I spoke about the Jesus Resume’. For many of us, we grew-up on Jesus and feel as if we have a pretty good understanding of him. There are days when I would echo that thinking, and then I’ll find myself caught off guard by a new idea or insight, or even a passage of scripture that has me asking, “Have I read this before?” No matter where you are on the spectrum of knowledge when it comes to Jesus, I think we can agree that there is always more to learn. In the above passage, the Apostle Paul speaks of being in Christ. This language is unique to Paul, and even unique to Christianity. It reveals a key theological point as Paul believed Jesus was more than a mortal who walked the earth and now resides in heaven. Though Jesus was fully human, there is in Paul’s mind an eternal nature to Jesus in the sense that Jesus is no longer limited by flesh and blood or even bound in some distant heaven. The Jesus who lived and taught and died on earth is now ever-present to humanity. And if, by faith, we choose to be in Christ, a new creation exists. Some translations make it very individualistic as if to say, “If I am in Christ, then I am a new creation.” For Paul, that is way too narrow. If any of us are in Christ, according to Paul, the world changes. What Jesus has done, and what Jesus continues to do through humanity, has and is changing the universe. As I think about the Jesus Resume’, I believe he loves every individual, but this love is intended to have cosmic ramifications. Jesus appears to be one who wants to see every corner of creation, every culture and society and nation, every attitude and outlook, to be touched by the transformative and reconciling power of love. That looks good on his resume’, but will it appear on our Jesus resume’?
Prayer: It is a new year, O God who is always doing a new thing. May this year provide opportunities for me to grow in Christ, and in doing so, grow in my capacity as your instrument of love in the world. Amen.
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You can order the “Participants” guide from Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Make sure to purchase the Participants version. We will have some copies for sale this Sunday at the church.
