Lectionary Reading Epiphany 4 Part 2
For the kingdom of God depends not on talk but on power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 (NRSV)
Read. 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Paul is addressing a problem current in the church at Corinth. Many of the believers came from a Jewish background and as such the rules about eating meat dedicated to idols was already a point of disagreement. This was quite a complex issue but broadly speaking some Jewish groups forbade the use of anything associated with idols; while other groups considered the use of such material acceptable. This controversy has spilled into the Christian congregation. During the normal events of life in Corinth one might be invited to eat with a group who worshipped idols or you might be involved in community meals where the meat may have been dedicated to an idol and so for the Corinthian Christians the issue was very real. The “strong” said that as there is only one God any idol is without power and as such eating meat dedicated to an idol had no significance. Having the “knowledge” that idols have no power was a position with which Paul would have agreed. However there were other Christians here called the “weak”, who believed that to eat meat so dedicated was defiling to them as they had renounced idols when they accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour. Paul is pointing out to the “strong” that knowledge without love is not helpful and so put forward two arguments that must be taken into consideration. Namely even though idols have no power they represent a force against Christ which is hidden behind them. Thus partaking of food dedicated to idols might draw in a “weak” believer who then has an attack of conscience and so loses the assurance of faith.
Meat dedicated to idols is possibly not an issue that we face, yet at the heart of this passage emerge some ongoing principles. Anything that takes our eye from the Lordship of Christ can become an idol; an idol to which we give power. Similarly, at any time when we feel that our knowledge and understanding puts us in a position of privilege over another Christian we have forgotten that there is only one Lord and all of us are simply servants. As servants our task is to serve and we serve always with love. Anything that brings disunity needs to be considered in the light of love. Paul concludes that if eating meat will cause a believer to fall then he will abstain from eating meat even though he knows an idol holds no power. Christ Jesus came to bring unity and we need to consider that unity as we make decisions working together as a community in Christ.
Prayer. Lord, you are the King of kings and the Lord of lords and before you every knee shall bow both in heaven and on earth. Through your loving kindness keep us on the pathway that you have purposed for us, never neglecting to recognise that you are the one in whom we live and move and have our being. Strengthen us in every time of testing that we may not turn aside but always keep faith with you. When the pull of the world would draw us away help us to see that it is only in you that we may find healing and wholeness. Grant that we may always work for the unity of your church, trusting always in the leading of your Spirit. Lord we pray that by your strength we may remain continually in your service. You Lord have breathed into us the breath of life, may our lives be lived to lift high the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour. In whose Name we pray. Amen
Read. Mark 1:21-28 Mark notes that the ministry of Jesus begins with the announcement of the coming kingdom of God, (Mark 1:14f), so in this passage the congregation are astounded at his teaching for Jesus uses not just words but actions. Jesus speaks and things happen. With authority Jesus announces that the time has come for the kingdom to be revealed: here and now it is present. Once that announcement is made, the authority of Jesus is challenged by the voice of an “unclean spirit”. The man with the unclean spirit is in the synagogue but is separated from Jesus because of this spirit’s presence. At Jesus’ command the unclean spirit is both silenced and removed and so the man is now healed and enabled to be fully involved in the life of the community in a way which was impossible before his healing. Mark notes the amazement of the congregation, but it is not simply that an act of healing has been performed but that the announcement of the kingdom has been verified. “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” Mark 1:27 (NRSV) Once the man was set apart from the community by his infirmity but now healed he is set apart into the kingdom and become part of the community which worships and serves God.
In Mark’s gospel Jesus is the central figure who through his preaching, teaching and acts of healing draws people to himself. Though Jesus has great authority and power he deals with this man personally. His power and actions are used to gather people together to become God’s people under the authority of Christ. “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy”. 1 Peter 2:9-10 (NRSV) For Mark the authority and power of Jesus’ teaching must be spread abroad with some urgency. This is Good News and people need to hear this News and be drawn into Jesus Christ and into the Kingdom of God.
Prayer. Almighty God, Lord of heaven and earth, we thank you that in Jesus Christ you have come near to draw us to yourself. You call us to be holy and set apart for you. Help us to live always under the sovereign power of Jesus our Lord; that trusting in him alone we may serve you in righteousness. May nothing hinder our worship of you and through all that Jesus has done for us, may we continually give you thanks and praise. To you be all glory, now and for ever. Amen
Collect. Lord Jesus, you teach with the authority of God, and you come to liberate and heal the poor and lowly; help us to walk with you, and work for human dignity, that your name may be glorified now and for ever. Amen.
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