Getting Our Work Done

Colossians 3:18-4:18
Many of us are familiar with the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” This may be no truer than in the life of the Christian community, especially at the time of baptism. Then it is common for promises to be made, pledges to assist in guiding the newly baptized—whether adult or child––as he or she grows and develops in the faith. One verse from our epistle reading for today, while not referring to a child, does affirm the role the “village” of faith plays in encouraging each of its members to live up to her or his calling. “And say to Archippus, ‘See that you complete the task that you have received in the Lord’” (Colossians 4:17).

These words of instruction for Archippus would have been read aloud, meaning that he would likely have heard this admonition first hand. But of equal importance is that the wider community know that it has been called on to hold Archippus accountable. What was the task he had been given? We really have no way of knowing, but that really isn’t important at this point. Nearly 2,000 years after the fact, we may assume that the work––whether it was done or not––has long since passed from importance. What has not lost importance is the job given to the wider community. By grace, we are surrounded by women and men who have been charged by God in a variety of ways. Our job is to help them get that work done.

This past Sunday, three young women were recognized by the congregation I serve as they graduate from high school and head toward college in the fall. Part of our duty as a congregation will always be to remind young people to “complete the task that [they] have received in the Lord.” For some, this task will be to serve the church as a minister or other form of leader. For some it will be to respond to the needs of the world in faithful obedience to God. For some it will be as parents. For some, as teachers or as the sort of business people who function with integrity and honor. Whatever the case, the community of faith will always be integral to the growth and development of its members, if only by reminding them to be all that God has created them to be.

Prayer: Lord God, help us to complete the task set before us, that our faithful service may bring honor and glory to your name. Amen.

Be Prepared

Colossians 3:18-4:18

In seminary I was taught that minsters were virtually the only professionals left who might arrive at someone’s home just to see how they were doing. A doctor wasn’t apt to drop by, nor a lawyer. Even a psychiatrist would be unlikely to make a house call just to see how things were. But it was still considered appropriate for ministers to arrive unannounced. Times have changed. I no longer consider it proper to stop by someone’s home unless they know I am coming, and usually well in advance. There might be exceptions, of course, but if I am concerned about someone my first recourse is normally going to be a phone call through which I may arrange a visit.

But here are Paul’s words to the Colossians. “Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom you have received instructions - if he comes to you, welcome him” (Colossians 4:10). It’s all rather mysterious sounding. For example I assume the instructions Paul mentions have to do with Mark and not his cousin Barnabas. And what exactly are those instructions? We don’t know, but we do know that Mark (or Barnabas) might simply arrive in Colossae (even Paul doesn’t seem certain) and if he does the church there is to be ready for him.

From the very beginning the church has held hospitality to be an essential part of its ministry. Welcoming one another has always been considered a Christ-like function of who we are. In the words of the the Boy Scout motto we believers are to be prepared, ready to greet one another, open to interruption or intrusion, happy to share whether it be our time or our possessions. Even strangers are to be made welcome as we are told in Hebrews 13:2. Our culture is continually turning in on itself, constantly adding distance between people often with the aid of technology. We can know more and more about someone while not really knowing them at all. But when we open our hearts and lives to one another we find the distance reduced and the barriers removed.

I am not apt to arrive unexpectedly at a church member’s front door. But I do believe very strongly that the church should be open to whatever and whoever God sends our way, be it Mark, Barnabas, or someone else. If they come, we should welcome them.

Prayer: Lord, open us to the unexpectedness of your community and your grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Remember My Chains

Jeremiah 32:1-15

Colossians 3:18-4:18

Luke 7:36-50

At the conclusion of the letter to the church at Colossae Paul stops dictating to a scribe, takes the writing implement into his own hand, and adds a few words. Among them are these: “Remember my chains” (Colossian 4:18). Presumably he is asking his readers to pray for him in his imprisonment. But is it also possible that he is apologizing for his poor handwriting caused by restricted movement? No matter. Despite his imprisonment Paul is determined to continue sharing the gospel with all who will listen.

The prophet Jeremiah was also imprisoned. He had chosen a time of national crisis to express God’s judgment and been arrested for it. He might have grown discouraged or disgusted, yet when given the chance he offered a sign of profound hope by purchasing a field. The day will come, he was saying, when God’s people will be restored to their land (Jeremiah 32:15). The woman in Luke’s account did not live in literal chains, but she was bound by her reputation which, according to Jesus’ host, was as “a sinner” (Luke 7:39). But even her lowly social status did not prevent the woman from ministering to Jesus or receiving his assurance of forgiveness.

You and I carry chains as well: of sin, regret, loss, anger. We might consider our condition to be more than we can overcome. We might give up and become passive, allowing our faith to dwindle. Or we could remember Paul, Jeremiah, and the unnamed woman from Luke’s gospel, each a person bound in some way yet determined to serve God as best they could. Seen in this light our chains become far less significant to who we are and our opportunities to serve become far more numerous. There are tasks to be done, and by the grace of God we are the folks called to do them. In this way we will find our true freedom.

Prayer: God of freedom and mercy, help us to rise above that which binds us and to embrace the good news of the gospel as a message to share and a path to trod. In Jesus’ name. Amen.