essential part to play and work to do in that bigger picture. The character and quality of our life lived together should be informed, defined, and exhibit the values of the gospel—values that we see personified in Jesus. The life of the Christian community should be recognizably different from that of the wider human community to which we all belong. We must always ask ourselves, individually and corporately: Is our community recognizably different than that of the wider human community? Often it is. Sadly, often it is not.
Last Wednesday at Bible study, we had this passage in front of us and had a very good discussion. We moved from trying to locate a theological principle down to a very personal, subjective level. We shared the thoughts of our hearts at the time. You will see on the bulletin board we have posted what we worked on—it looks like a brick wall with our answers written on it. You might read some of those responses and think they don’t have much to do with the gospel reading, but they do.
If you and I are part of the bigger picture of God’s provision and purpose for the whole of creation, there is something more about who we are when we gather as God’s people. We’re not just a disparate bunch of people who happen to get along mostly, who gather in the same place Sunday by Sunday, and who enjoy working on certain things together. We are gathered by God’s Holy Spirit in answer to that question: “Who do you say that I am?”
I leave that question with you over the coming week. Think about it. If Jesus met you right now and asked you that question, what would you say? Who do you say that I am?
I pray that for all of us, it brings out a strong and committed confession of faith.
Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Father Ted Hales