Church Beloved

Ephesians 5:25

“Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her . . .”

This statement in Ephesians that “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,” does not mean that Christ loved the church only or loved the church instead of the world or loved the church more than the world. The passage in Ephesians does mean that Christ gave himself to his disciples in a unique way. Jesus gave up his ministry of physical presence on earth so that the church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, could begin its work of taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth. In this sense the church is beloved. The church is not loved more than the world. The church is beloved by its being entrusted with the Gospel.

In John’s Gospel we find these remarkable words of Jesus “. . .whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these . . .” (John 14:12) No one could take these words of Jesus to mean that the church would do anything greater than the cross and the resurrection. So, these words, “greater works,” mean something else.  

In only one way is the church greater. The church has taken the Gospel, the news of Christ’s redeeming sacrifice on the cross and his resurrection from the dead to the world. Jesus went to the Father. He ascended after the resurrection. To the church he gave the ministry of evangelism. To the church was given the work of spreading the Gospel to people who never heard the voice of Jesus or saw his wonders. This truth recalls the encounter between Thomas and Jesus in one of the post resurrection appearances. Thomas made the declaration before Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus responded to Thomas, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29) The church has received the blessing of faith, and the church has been the means by which God has given this blessing to the world.

Speaking of "beloved church," tomorrow (Sunday July 11) Judy and I are going (DV) for worship to Memorial Baptist Church in Arlington where Dr. Drew Hill is pastor. This church is beloved by Judy and me. We spent almost twenty years at Memorial for which we are grateful to God. After service we are going to a birthday celebration for one of the church members, Mrs. Nellie Grant, who turns 100 years old. Nellie is a friend to whom I will be grateful forever because she reached out to my parents with attention and love, especially in the days of their illnesses and deaths. Many will want to come to share this special day with Nellie because she has cared through the years for many just as  she cared for my family. 

*******

Grandchildren. On the 4th of July our granddaughter, with parental help, hosted a party for their immediate neighbors in the Belmont neighborhood in Charlottesville where they live. Mostly young adults with their children attended the party. The weather cooperated. We enjoyed food, drink and decorations made by the children. Listening to the neighbors of my son and daughter-in-law as they visited in the back yard, I realized that these young adults were remarkable people who talked of significant matters with civility and thoughtfulness. Although I was taken with the high level of education and significant work they were all engaged in doing I was humbled by the way they talked without drawing attention to themselves. Gentle, thoughtful, convicted and open to hearing and learning. It was a party to remember. Leaving I felt confident about a future in the hands of these folks. As we began to leave we came upon our youngest grandson, age 3, crying inconsolably. His big sister, age 12--the party organizer--was trying to console him. He had seen someone leave the party, and he knew it meant the party would soon be over. He didn't want it to end. It was poignant for me to feel his sensitivity, the realization at a child's level of understanding, that good things come to an end. In time he will be relieved to learn that bad things come to an end as well, and most of all I want him to learn that "all things" (happy or sad) when put in the hands of the one for whom time never ends or begins--all things work together for good.

*******

Reading. I have learned--I think--not to recommend books. What I like in a book may be due to a  moment in my life which the book addresses, and that moment likely does not match what is happening in someone else's life. A  book seems right for me, but it's not right for you. I like to share what I am reading, not in order to get you to read it, too. I share what I am reading in the thought that someone else may be reading the same book with appreciation and in that shared appreciation I may find a friend or a colleague whom I didn't know I had.  Less and less do I read books all the way through. I am an impatient reader. However, here is a book I am reading for the second time. The first time through I stopped reading it multiple times because I was unhappy with what I read, but for some reason I felt compelled to pick it up again. I finished it, and I am now reading it through for the second time, and I am underlining and making notes in the margins. The book is a collection of essays by Wendell Berry put together by Norman Wirzba. The book is entitled The Art of the Commonplace: the Agrarian Essays of Wendell Berry. Many years ago I read fiction by Wendell Berry, and I liked his fiction, especially Jayber Crowe. I knew from what others told me that he was a bit of a Luddite, so I didn't read more than his fiction until now. I wonder if I should have read him sooner, but that speculation doesn't get me anywhere. I rest on the thought (see above) that "all things work together for good." When the right time came the book appeared.

Of course, as a student and now as a teacher I have read books on assignment, and I have assigned books. So, I am not consistent. What I wrote in the previous paragraph is not exactly the way I do things. I do recommend the Bible to people with caution. Reading the Bible straight through is seldom the best way to approach Scripture. It is better to start with more accessible parts. Read the "Sermon on the Mount," Matthew 5-7. Read the "Love Chapter," 1 Corinthians 13 or read the "Gospel of John." Read Genesis 37-50. Read the book of Proverbs. Read Esther. Read the prophet Amos. As the Bible gets into your "bones" (Jereimiah 20:9) you will enjoy expanding your reading, and you will read the Bible all your life. The Bible is an adult book. Do not think it will be easy reading. It will be profound. It will satisfy your thirst and hunger for meaning in life (Psalm 42:1), but it will not be easy. Mark Twain was asked, "Doesn't it bother you all the parts of the Bible you don't understand?" He replied, "No. what bothers me are all the parts I do understand."