Proper 7 Yr C
One in Christ

Introduction

The assigned lectionary for Proper 7, Track 1, is a curious blend of lessons. From the Old Testament 1 Kings, we hear that Jezebel threatened the life of Elijah if she could catch up with him. So, naturally, he hid in a cave, fearful for his life—for me this is the precursor to the Lenten fast of 40 days. An angel came to Elijah in a dream and told him to eat and drink for he needed to be strong in the coming days. Elijah ate and drank, then traveled 40 days and nights, found a cave and went to sleep again. Then an angel said (my paraphrase), "Get out of the cave because the Lord is passing by and you really want to see him." Elijah heard what was going on outside. First, a fierce wind—but the Lord was not in the wind. Then an earthquake—but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake, a raging fire—but the Lord was not in the fire. And then SILENCE! Elijah "heard" silence so profound that Elijah wrapped up and came out of the cave and then . . . Elijah heard the Lord!

The gospel lesson from Luke is the story of the demons of Gerasenes who call themselves "Legion". Legion had inhabited a man for almost his entire life. The man could not lead a normal life and was often bound with chains and shackles to protect those around him. But when Jesus passed by, Legion cried out for Jesus to go away. As Jesus was preparing to rid the man of Legion, Legion begged to be sent into the nearby herd of pigs (which Jesus did), and the herd ran away from Jesus. into a pond where they drowned. Legion gone, the man's life of terror over, and the herdsmen agog!

The New Testament lesson is one of my favorites about all of us being one in Christ—Christ does not divide us into a color wheel or by income but by our faith in him.

"There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians). 

It seems like no matter how often it is said, somebody forgets it, or dismisses it, or ignores it. Our (yours & mine) faith gives us the inheritance. And apparently, God doesn't care how we define "our" so long as it is consistent with what God says. Each day we have an opportunity to say, "We are one in Christ". We can say it in many ways but it boils down to our love. 

So three amazing lessons: 

• God speaks to us in the silence. When do you hear the Lord?

• Christ Jesus takes our internal battles away. Try to let go so he can do just that.

• Faith is how we get through the day (and week and month and year). Hold on. 

It all boils down to "We are one in Christ."

Comments welcome.

Galatians 3:23-29

Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise.

From sermon4kids.com: “It doesn't matter if you are a boy or a girl. It doesn't matter what color your skin is. When we become a part of the family of God, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. ”