November 22, 2021 — 2 Corinthians 11:16-33

“But whatever anyone dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ? I am talking like a madman—I am a better one: with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless floggings, and often near death. Five times I have received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked; for a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from bandits, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers and sisters; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, hungry and thirsty, often without food, cold and naked. And, besides other things, I am under daily pressure because of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I am not indignant? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus (blessed be he forever!) knows that I do not lie. In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus in order to seize me, but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.” 2 Cor. 11:21-33

Paul does not really want to boast, but his Corinthian adversaries, the “super-apostles” have forced him to this point. Boasting does not come naturally to him. But seeing the necessity to do so, to show the folly of those who continually practice boasting, Paul engages in boasting by comparing himself and his colleagues with the false apostles. There are some people in our society where boasting comes easy. Maybe you have someone in your family for whom boasting comes easy. Not for Paul. But because of the circumstances, Paul now finds himself boasting, and he admits that he does not like it. And when he makes such a comparison, the false apostles come out looking very bad — but who among us would not compared to the struggles Paul has endured?

Two things I think we need to point out:

First, we must recognize that all of the items Paul lists here are examples of his personal sacrifices and sufferings in the cause of the gospel of Jesus Christ. No one would list these in their resume or in their press clippings. In fact, these are some of the very things the false apostles might point out as good reason to look down upon the apostles. The things Paul’s adversaries consider shameful and discrediting are the very things for which Paul boasts. Here is where Paul really makes his point. His opponents are into the “good life.” They are self-indulgent, and they offer the same lifestyle to those who would follow them. Paul and his colleagues are selfless, paying a very high price for the privilege of proclaiming Christ.

Second, the afflictions Paul enumerates are those he could rather easily avoid if he had chosen to do so. We have seen that Paul’s sufferings and trials are those he receives for preaching the gospel. If Paul had chosen to just back off and play it safe, he would not have suffered as he did. Paul lives the kind of life and engages in the kind of ministry which he knows will bring him adversity – but through that adversity Paul is remembered for his willingness to suffer for Jesus.

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus, we know we should not seek to bring suffering upon ourselves for the sake of suffering. But when we suffer for Jesus, help us to endure such suffering through the power of the Holy Spirit. Help me to remember Paul and his endurance for the sake of Christ. Amen.

Pastor Dave

November 21, 2021 – Reign of Christ/Christ the King Sunday

“Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ Jesus answered, ‘Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?’ Pilate replied, ‘I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?’ Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.’ Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’ Pilate asked him, ‘What is truth?’” John 18:33-38

Pilate was in no mood to be dealing with Jesus in some verbal sparring. In fact the Roman Governor asked the people to take Jesus away and judge him by their own laws. But the Jews, especially Annas, and Caiaphas, and the many others didn’t want to be tied to this problem either. So Pilate reluctantly takes on the interrogation—and he asks that famous question: “Are you……the king….of the Jews?”

“Are you….the King?” What Pilate is asking Jesus has political, cultural and, of course, eternal implications. Pilate, as we know, represents the political power of the day, as a Roman official. Is he in power in this situation? The high priests, Annas and Caiaphas represent the religious elites of the Jewish authorities. Are they in power? And Jesus here represents heavenly power, and authority, as G-d incarnate. Is G-d in power? Who will win the day?

In our day, and in our society, advertisers have so much power in how people make decisions. Of course, as Americans we give them power over us. Just driving from home to the church every day I am told by advertisers that if I do not purchase certain sheets, my family will never get a restful-night’s sleep. And if I buy a certain kind of wine, my life will be complete. They dangle a few tid-bits of information in front of our eyes—and so many people jump like dolphins doing acrobatics in front of an amazed crowd. It begs the question: Are we in control of our lives, our spending, our faith? And, are we certain?

Pilate already knows the answer to his question “Are you a King?”— even before he asks it. Again, as the Roman Governor, he is the one to decide who will rule over the Jews of his particular region. Pilate would have approved who ruled over the Jews—as such, if Jesus answers yes to the question “Are you their King?”, well, Jesus condemns himself. But, Jesus is not going to be pulled into this argument. He simply says: “My Kingdom is not of this world—my kingdom is not from here.”

I look around here at the business of “Black Friday”—the holiday shopping season—and I feel as if I am a stranger in a strange land. I feel like a fish out of water, most of the Christmas season. Let me ask you this question: How many of you have your Christmas trees up already? How many of you have your Christmas decorations up—both inside and out? How many of you have some Advent decorations up, like Advent candles or Advent Calendars? I ask the question because I believe we cannot rush this Christmas season too much, or we will miss some opportunities to pause, and take some time to give thanks. People of G-d, what has happened to stopping during all of the craziness and giving thanks to G-d? This is why Thanksgiving and Advent are so important—that we stop and give thanks, count our blessings, and prepare for Christmas—which of course is one of the themes of Advent—preparation. We need to stop, at least today, and give thanks to G-d—our savior and King. And then ask this question: Are we living lives as if Christ reigns full in our lives?

Something to ponder this Reign of Christ Sunday.

Pastor Dave