02 February 2025 - Epiphany 4, Year C

 

Theme

The two Old Testament passages speak about being afraid and seeking God’s protection and care. Both Jeremiah and the Psalmist reference God forming and knowing them in the womb. This all-knowing God is the God who is always with us as we answer God’s call, even in the midst of our fears and uncertainties. Paul talks about agape love. After quoting Isaiah, Jesus compares himself to Elijah who was sent to minister to the foreigner. This call on Jesus’ life is similar to many Old Testament prophets, such as the one we read in Jeremiah today.

Scriptures

Jeremiah 1:4-10 - Jeremiah received his call from God and hears God’s blessing over his ministry.

Psalm 71:1-6 - A cry to God for protection, rescue and safety.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 - The great “love” passage of Scripture. Paul speaks about love being the most excellent way - love. After stressing the importance of love over gifts and miracles, Paul explains what agape love looks like. 

Luke 4:21-30 - Jesus claims that a prophet is not accepted in his home town. He then teaches about how Elijah was not sent to the widows in his home land, but rather to the foreigners. The people listening to Jesus were furious and tried to throw him off of a cliff.

The Context

In his first letter to the Corinthians, after dealing with issues of gifts of the Spirit and unity within the body of Christ, Paul reaches a climax in his exhortation for the church to be a people of love. This text needs to be understood in light of the portion preceding it.

In Luke’s gospel, many people seem to think that people were angry with Jesus because he compared himself to the prophet Elijah. The more realistic interpretation is that the people were angry with Jesus because he claimed that he was not sent primarily for their benefit - he was sent for the benefit of the foreigners and outcasts.

Personal Application

Everyone is called by God in certain ways. To honour a call on one’s life is not an easy process. Like many of the biblical characters called by God, it is natural to have fears and insecurities. However, when we remember that God knows us completely and still calls us, we can gain strength and encouragement to honour God’s call on our lives. 

It is fascinating to think of how angry people got when Jesus claimed to be sent for the benefit of the foreigner. Although, if we look at our world today, this realisation is not so surprising. It is the people that preach the most loving, merciful, inclusive gospel that get the most push-back from so-called religious folk. It is the ones who are fighting for the rights of immigrants, women and LGBTQ+ folk that are being canceled just like Jesus was. Are we going to be found pandering to the desires of the religious elite or are we going to be found at the side of Jesus, fighting for the foreigners and outcasts?

Communal Application

Paul’s passage on agape love is one of the best guides for church communities in becoming more Christ-like. Over the past few weeks, we have looked at the many issues that arise in churches when conversations arise over Spiritual gifts. We have looked at issues of division and disunity. Ultimately, dealing with all of these issues, as well as many others, boils down to how we love. I think that this is why the climax of this portion of Paul’s letter is found in this section on love.

So many of the church’s biggest conflicts and divisions can be eradicated with true love. While the Church claims to be a community of love, it often doesn’t seem that way. Doctrine, theology and tradition are all important, but if they are not founded in love, they are merely noisy gongs and clanging symbols. Let us ensure that love is the basis of every decision, thought and action that we make.