Good morning. What a nice day yesterday. Sherri and I were able to get away to Ithaca for most of the day. She is feeling quite a bit better. We spent the day walking around the Commons then to the Cornell Botanical Gardens and a visit to some of our favorite Cornell spots. Topped it off with ice cream at the Dairy Bar. Sherri and I graduated from Cornell in 1986- things have changed some since then! We did get some outside work done when we came home, but it was nice to take a day off!
Lectionary today and some quick errands- hope I get them done before the rain comes- again!
The big talk from us all yesterday was forgiveness. It is hard! But, like I said to someone, we all want it too! Christian author Lewis B Smedes said, "To forgive is to set a prisoner free and to discover that the prisoner was you."
In this brief chapter, Paul continues to defend his ministry and authority. The letters he mentions are letters of reference. Anyone could come to a town and say "Paul sent me, so you should support me." To help guard against these issues, letters of recommendation were often sent with these people. Paul says that the people of Corinth are his letter, his proof of ministry. The way the people acted and responded (initially) to Paul's ministry is proof enough to validate his ministry. His credentials are the changed lives of the people of Corinth. The fruitfulness and mission-mindedness of the people is validation of the preacher. Comments about your preacher/teacher? The author of Paul's letter is Jesus as evidenced by the changed hearts of the people (v 3).
Paul seems to begin sounding proud here, but quickly moves to the concept that it was through God/Jesus/Spirit that this happened. He certainly wasn't able to do this all on his own (vv 4-5). It was Christ's death that made Paul and the others ministers of the New Agreement (v 6). The covenant, created by God, evidenced through the life of Christ and offered by the Spirit is available to us if we desire. If we desire!
Paul branches out into a contrast between the "old" covenants and the new covenant (vv 7-11). The old covenant, in some translations called the "ministry of death" binds us to laws and sin and the punishment that we get from those sins when we don't follow the laws. Even with that death and strict laws, there was glory and triumph as evidenced by the shining of Moses' face (v 7), but that glory faded away as people moved away from God. The new covenant will outshine that and never fade away.
The old covenant separated and restricted God and people; the new covenant brings us together with God through the Spirit. We can be bold in our faith and look face to face with God (unlike Moses who needed/used a veil, v 12). Paul suggests that when Moses covered his face, it prevented people from seeing the glory of God- and that continues to current Corinthian Jews that are struggling with the new covenant. If they would just turn to Jesus, the veil would be lifted and they would see the glory of God (vv 16-17).
Paul declares that the Spirit and God and Jesus are all the same (v 17). This is a revelation of sorts to the people of the time. We are freed ("liberty") from sin, but we are still bound by love of God. Paul invites everyone to have an intimate relationship with God (v 18); all people can connect with God; all people can see and witness to the glory and greatness of God. When we do that, we will shine with God's glory and show God to others. Do we do that?
Some good points made by Paul. I especially identify with the initial paragraphs about Paul's letter of recommendation as seen by the actions of the Corinthians. I wonder how my "letter of recommendation" looks?
Have a good day. It looks like its going to be an inside day!
Shalom+
Pastor Paul
I am glad you and Sherri had such a nice day yesterday!
ReplyDeleteOh my - and now the Corinthians are asking for Paul's recommendations - or referrals? Poor Paul. They seem to have forgotten that it was he who changed them and their lives. Paul even mentions that anyone can carry letters of recommendations. I loved vs. 2 - saying that they - their actions - are Paul's (and the others with him) letter. Written in their hearts AND can can be read by other people through their actions. It reminds me of the hymn that says something about letting others know I am a Christian by my actions. I like the thought and image. I like how Paul compares the old covenant with the new covenant - he never actually criticizes the old, just that it's time has passed and there is now a new one. As, in my translation, he says if the old one was glorious and passed, just think how MORE glorious the new one is - which is forever. In my translations I don't get that Paul says the three are one - mine says "Now the Lord is that Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." ???? I still wonder, will there be a new covenant? There have been so many.
Looks like a wet day!!!
Blessings all
I think people do tend to forget those that have had an influence on their lives- especially in a positive way! We always remember the ones who hurt us, but not always the ones who have helped us.
DeletePrior to that statement about the spirit, and in many writings from him and others, the idea of Jesus and God being the same was common. So Paul made the jump and included the Spirit too.
Will there be a newer covenant? Will we ever know?!
Thanks Donna
My favorite verse is #17- Now the Lord is the spirit, and where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. When we accept Gods love and want to live a more godly life the Holy Spirit fill us. Our sins can be forgiven and we can live in harmony with God.
ReplyDeleteWhat a comforting thought.
The idea of freedom isn't too "liberating" for us with our freedoms, but I am sure it had a huge impact to the Corinthians. Even us having freedom would be good!
DeleteThanks Cathy
We had read Chapter 2 on Monday before learning of your horrible day on Monday. I hope your neighbor is coping well with the loss of Dingus. As a dog lover who has had to say good-bye to several beloved dogs, I know how attached you can get to animals and it is a real loss when they die.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I realized this afternoon that I had forgotten to blog last night.
In Chapter 3, there were a couple of verses that I sat up on and noticed. he first was verse 6: "...for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life." I am struggling a little with what Paul is trying to say. Is it that words can be hurtful and damaging, but the spirit is calming and peaceful?
Verses 2 through 16 were somewhat confusing to me as well. What is this veil that Paul contents that Moses was wearing? Throughout the Old Testament, Moses was praised, and now, Paul is bad-mouthing him. What gives? I am having trouble with his contention that the Israelites minds were dull when reading Moses. ????
I agree with Cathy that verse 17 is beautiful. "...where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." Comforting words, indeed.
Welcome back!
DeleteAnd yes- words hurt is the idea!
Moses did wear a veil when he spoke to God on the mountain. This was to hid his face from the glory of God. Also, people thought if the saw God's face they would die.
It isn't that Paul is bad-mouthing Moses, it is that he is saying the old covenant had glory, but they couldn't really see it because of the actions of Moses (hiding his face). The new covenant will be even more glorious!
This was a confusing part of Paul's writing!
Thanks Jack
I am glad the Sherri is feeling better. I, too, have spent time n the Cornell campus back when I was working for Unisys repairing Dell computers. I used to park in the lot across from the Dairy Bar. I always thought the Cornell cops were Nazis. If you were 2 microseconds over the time the meter ran out, they were there to put a ticket on your car. I do not miss that place, though it would probably be different if I went to school there.
ReplyDeleteI love the Cornell campus- so many good (and some not so good) memories!
ReplyDelete