If you’ve ever been to Jay Cook State Park, you’ve probably walked over the swinging bridge. It doesn’t swing as much as it used to, but when we stopped there last week, because of the recent rains, the river was exuberantly rushing and churning over big rocks and sending sprays of mist into the air. It was breath-taking. After crossing the bridge, I scrambled up on top of the big rocks on the other side until I stood by the side of the river before the falls. It was spectacular. I was completely happy just looking at God’s creation. But then I heard something – so I turned around and saw a man gesturing and calling to me. He was on top of another rock but because of all the noise of the water hurling itself against the rocks, I couldn’t hear what he was saying. Then he started making the image of a camera. “Oh,” I thought, “he wants me to take his picture.” So, I started making my way to him. But when I got close, I finally heard what he wanted to say. “Give me your camera – and let me take your picture where you are standing. It will be a great shot!”
And so I gave him my phone – and he took my picture. And then I offered to take a picture of him. Now it was his turn to be surprised – he didn’t expect me to reciprocate. But he smiled – and called his boys over to him – and they gave me their phone so I could take their picture on the same spot.
Ordinarily, this might have been the end of the story – but I was curious about him and asked him his name – it was Paul. And then we got into a great conversation which was only able to take place because Paul – much like Paul the Apostle – was not concerned about the differences that might have kept us apart -- such as Covid, or gender or heritage. My ancestors were northern European. I didn’t ask – but I’m guessing his came from Africa. Instead, he was interested in what we had in common – such as admiring God’s beautiful creation.
I don’t know if the Paul that I met was Christian, but this is the image of Christian community that the Apostle Paul is writing about to the Galatians. “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” Gal 3:23
Throughout much of the Hebrew Scriptures, what we call the “Old Testament,” the people of God, the Jewish people, maintained their faith and their identity by being a people set apart and ruled by the law. Paul’s word for the law is disciplinarian which can also be translated as teacher or babysitter. Remember how the class behaves when the teacher steps out of the room? Sometimes a disciplinarian, a teacher or a babysitter is needed. In the Hebrew Scriptures – and still today – the law functions to lead, teach and guide God’s people. It is a gift.
But Paul, a Jewish person himself and highly knowledgeable about the law, argues there is no longer a need for a disciplinarian – or a babysitter. Instead, since in baptism we are clothed with Christ, we are all one.
Unfortunately, Paul’s desire sometimes seems more aspirational than actual in our world today (and probably in Galatia too). Like the Galatians, we still make distinctions between people based on their heritage, economic status, gender, religion and politics, to name only a few of the categories that we put people into. In fact, some things in our world – such as some forms of media and politics -- seem to benefit and even thrive on sowing seeds of discord and division. As a result, it’s easy to get discouraged about how we can ever come together as one in Christ.
But what if we took another look at what it might mean for us to be “clothed with Christ” and to be “one” in Christ.
First of all, when Paul says we are “clothed in Christ,” he wasn’t assuming that we would put on Christ like a robe when we come into church and then discard it on the way out. We can’t just “put on” Christ like a new pair of shoes. Instead, Paul is expecting us to walk in those shoes every day until those shoes feel as if they are a part of our feet. This might mean that we feel the pinch of those shoes if we are not walking in the way of Jesus. But it will also mean that our feet will be protected and supported. Paul is not just wanting us to look good – he is looking for transformation to happen both in the way that we think and in the way that we act.
However, being “one” in Christ does not mean that we will all be exactly the same. God’s creation is made up of diversity – and mutual dependance of one being upon another. The same is true about the gifts and talents of people. We need teachers and plumbers, farmers and engineers, artists and construction workers. I get energy from talking with people and engaging with them while other people would rather work alone on a physical project and still others would prefer to be in a group, like a choir. It is clear that we need a variety of gifts and talents as part of the body of Christ but it is also true that we can be one in Christ even if our theology is different.
Two weeks ago, on Pentecost Sunday, when our church Council and Faith Practices Neighboring Practices team invited the leadership of Greater St. John’s Missionary Baptist church to share a meal and conversation with us, we did not know how it would go. Would we be able to have meaningful conversations or would we end up in sharing food but not ourselves?
I am happy to report that the Holy Spirit is alive and well and was active in our conversation. We shared openly and honestly about the problems and challenges in the world, our community and our families. I’m sure we don’t agree on everything but then even within our church we don’t agree on everything. But it was amazing at how much we found in common with one another simply by praying together, talking with one another and trusting the Holy Spirit who celebrates our diversity and yet makes us one in Christ Jesus. We also agreed that we want to do this again – and we want you all to be a part of the conversation.
Brothers and sisters, siblings in Christ, we are one in Christ because the Holy Spirit works in us and through us. Much like the law – the disciplinarian, teacher and babysitter of the Hebrew Scriptures, the Holy Spirit is there to encourage, teach, comfort and challenge us. For just like a new pair of shoes needs to be worn in order to stretch, we need to continue to pray and to talk and to invite the Holy Spirit to transform us to be one in Christ. Thanks be to God.
Faith-Lilac Way Lutheran Church June 19, 2022 Pastor Pam Stalheim Lane