Last
Sabbath evening as the church members came together for the first Business
meeting, deciding on the new Budget, I had a privilege to share a short
devotional, inviting the church to remember who we are.
We
live with awareness that God’s Face has been turned upon each one of us. His eyes watched us wake up in the morning,
and go on our ways. He is ready to order our steps if we let Him. God knows our travels, our point of
conversion, his Spirit is coming to
direct us. And because of that we cannot
remain the same. We cannot go back home
this Sabbath the same we came, do what we always been doing. We have come here to be changed.
Why does He do so? Why does He care so much, about who we are
becoming? Apostle Paul gives an answer (Ephesians 5: 27)” ...to present her to
himself a glorious church, not having a spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but
it should be holy and without blemish.” It
is God’s desire to prepare His Bride for Himself!
As your pastor I am aware of this task, and I am
also aware of my role. John the Baptist shared this wisdom "He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the
bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the
bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. "He must increase, but I must decrease.”
(John
3:29-30) He was
referring to the ancient practice that in the Groom’s absence there was always a trusted friend to
watch over the bride, make sure she is faithful, to prevent any intruder. Friend is to stand and represent the
Bridegroom. A friend who when the Groom
comes would be able to say “I’ve been done my part, here she is!”
Apostle Paul described the role of the pastor in
this same metaphor. As Corinthian
secular culture of the day was seeping into the church and people were
experiencing wrong competitive influences, some folk preferred business meeting
to a prayer meeting, some wanted to run the church as a business model, others
were taking sides with human leaders, cliques were developing, and opinionated
directions were set. Apostle Paul
appealed to the Remnant in the church, to those who were of Christ, Christ’s
Bride.
2nd Corinthians 11:1-4 Oh, that you would bear with me
in a little folly -- and indeed you do bear with me.... à Paul is saying “Let me explain to you what my role
is here...”
2 For I
am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a
chaste virgin to Christ.
3 But I fear, lest somehow, as
the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from
the simplicity that is in Christ.
Paul is saying “I will not allow you to flirt, to
stray, to be deceived, to do things while Christ is away, that would hurt His
heart. I am the “best man” to guard you
faithful.”
As I reflect on those “best men” who served here
before me, I am constantly aware of my commitment to you. Even when absent from
you, visiting and encouraging other churches, my prayers are with you and for
you, reminding you to be united, to be one, as the Bride in preparation for her
Husband to return.
In service of the
Great Shepherd, pastor
No comments:
Post a Comment