EPIPHANY V
February 4, 2024
“Partners in the Gospel”
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, holy partners in a heavenly calling, consider that Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, was faithful to the one who appointed him, . . . “ (Hebrews 3:1,2a)
“Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. . . . Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14, 16)
The season of Epiphany has been taking us on a journey that teaches us about the many ways in which the early message of what became Christianity was spread throughout the ancient world. The Book of Acts lives up to its name — in scanning a number of chapters, I noticed the Lutheran Study Bible added headlines to several that were real attention-grabbers. For instance: “The Uproar in Thessalonica,” “Paul and Silas in Prison,” “The Riot in Ephesus,” and “The Plot to Kill Paul,” are just a few, leaving us no doubt that those sharing the Good News did not have an easy, conflict-free task. Reading the accounts of Paul, Peter, and a number of the original twelve disciples as they traveled from place to place teaching, preaching and healing as Christ had commanded them, it seems they were constantly on the go — from Jerusalem, to Corinth, to Antioch, to Athens, to Ephesus, Macedonia and Greece. I have to remind myself they weren’t jetting about from place to place, but often went on foot along the rugged roads of the Middle East. Acts is truly a book of action and activity!
A definite change of pace follows this busy, change-filled period of time, as the next segment of the New Testament focuses on communications between the Apostle Paul and the new congregations. New believers looked for some degree of structure — after all, as many had been raised in the strict traditions and practices of Judaism, and it was understandable that they felt somewhat adrift. They naturally desired to come together in groups of like-minded people, sharing what they were learning and how they understood and were inspired by the messages they were hearing. Disagreements would arise about all kinds of very human behavior, such as who should lead the groups (and why!) how they should practice baptism and communion, and how to work out their differences.
Although Paul wrote specifically to churches that are identified by the communities in which they were located, addressing their specific needs, the Book of Hebrews is not a letter; rather, it is broader in its teachings, applicable to many faith communities. When the writer speaks of “holy partners in a heavenly calling” the equal status of all is emphasized. As a group of partners, all have responsibilities, opportunities, and benefits, and they are able to share the Gospel to which they are committed, living the new life to which they are called.
How blessed we are to be invited to approach our Heavenly Father, secure in the knowledge that we will “receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Appreciating the great partnership we share,
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers