Did some Greeks influence God’s ‘NOW’?

If you have read my blogs over the past weeks, you know that I believe the answer is ‘YES’. Before I explain why, I believe that everything John chose to include in his gospel, is there for a purpose:

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John 20:30-31

Nothing is included by chance. Even something that may seem like insignificant information, can in the stringent edited narrative of John be of vital importance for the understanding of who Jesus is and what his salvation means.

For John it was important to include that Philip and Andrew told Jesus that some Greeks had said: “We would like to see Jesus.” It seems as this was the clue Jesus was waiting for. His reply was:

“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified!”
John 12:23

The story does not tell anything about a personal meeting between Jesus and the Greeks, however, I assume that they were in the crowd of witnesses to Jesus’ exclamation and the events that followed.

So why did the statement “We would like to see Jesus” influence God’s ‘Now’? 

John’s purpose was to communicate that the gospel is for the ‘whosoever’, not limited to God’s chosen people. Greeks were synonymous with Gentiles (1). 

When representatives from these folk-groups expressed a longing to see ‘Jesus’ – I believe Jesus received the clue “mission accomplished” = “God’s NOW” has come. This was confirmed by two Jews (= Philip and Andrew) telling Jesus about the desire of some Greeks. 

There is nothing that is a stronger hindrance to experiencing God’s ‘Now’ than racism. Today this ‘plague’ is influencing even communities carrying the name ‘Christians’. The combination Christian and racism is impossible, because ‘in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek’ (2) – we are all human beings.

‘Manna’ for today:

Unity in Christ influences God’s ‘NOW’!

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(1) Paul shared this belief: “the gospel of Christ … is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” Romans 1:16
(2) Galatians 3:28a
NB - this reflection is linked to General Brian Peddle's "Call to Mission - NOW"

What is the 'one' baptism?

Immediately it may seem equally difficult to find an answer to what the ‘one’

baptism is, as it is to find answers to what the ‘one’ faith is. Looking at the discussions that have taken place through the history of the church, it often narrows down to a question about infant Christening or adult baptism, and whether the rituals should be perceived as symbolic or if the ‘act of grace’ happens in the ritual elements or in the ritual act itself.

Paul actually referred to several types of baptism. He asked the disciples in Ephesus what kind of baptism they had received. When Paul learned that it was John’s baptism, he spoke to them and the result was that they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (1). Following this, Paul laid his hands upon them and they were baptized in the Holy Spirit.

When Paul referred to the ancestors, he wrote that ‘they were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea’ (2). This indicates that baptism is a transition into a new phase of life with a new direction.

In his teaching on keeping the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (3) where he also writes about one baptism, I do not think Paul neither had the baptism in the water or the baptism of the Holy Spirit in mind. I believe he solely thought about the fact that we are ‘baptized into the death of Jesus’. This baptism is the ‘one’ and same for all born again believers. How the different churches choose to celebrate this is subordinate to the fact that ‘we have been united with him in a death like his’ (4). Jesus also spoke about his own death as a baptism (5).

I believe that the context of ‘one’ baptism strengthens this interpretation. The ‘one’ hope assumes that I have grown into Christ in a death that is like him, so that I also will be united with him in a resurrection like his (6). Because, if I claim to have ‘one’ Lord, this can only happen after my ego has died with him to enable me to live in him. In view of this I can only see one real baptism. How churches choose to symbolize this is without any value if it does not lead people into living the resurrection life as new creatures in Christ Jesus.

‘Manna’ for today:

There is only ‘one’ baptism that unites us with Christ and with one another.

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(1) Acts 19:3-4
(2) 1 Corinthians 10:2
(3) Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism... Ephesians 4:3-5
(4) Romans 6:3-4
(5) Luke 12:50
(6) Romans 6:5
* Thanks to Bodil Østergreen for letting me use this picture of the cross she bought in Assisi. On FB she writes: God stretches out his hand to you. You can choose whether you want to accept God's hand and stretch your hand to your fellow human beings.

One Spirit

After a long break, I return with my weekly blog, and I continue with reflections on walking ‘worthy of the calling we have received’ as one body.

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;
Eph 4:4

The last entry with posting in six languages was on the last day of June. In the time since then many things have happened in my life. During our homeland-furlough I was able to spend much time together with my family and my father before it was pleasing to God to promote him to glory. It was also good to be able to conduct his funeral and celebrate his life before we returned to office this week.

My father was not only my dad, he was an officer-colleague, a dear brother in Christ, and an intercessor on whom I could count in hard times as well as one who could rejoice with me when we saw the God’s intervening hand in our own lives as well as other people’s lives and situations. We were of the same Spirit, the one Spirit. Even in the struggles on his death-bed I sensed the confirmation Paul described in this way:

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
Rom 8:16

I am so grateful to God that this kind of relationship can be found with every born again believer. Sometimes nothing needs to be said, we just know that we are of the One and same Spirit – we are the body of Christ.

‘Manna’ for today:

As one in one Spirit, we can make Jesus known to the whole world. 

Walking in and with peace!

I love to greet people with ‘peace’. In Norway people look at me whit a smile when I do it, however, in Eastern Europe it is a good tradition shared by many. We find peace among the attributes on Paul's list of what he considers a walk ‘worthy of the calling we have received’:

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Eph 4:3

I had not been a follower of Christ very long when I discovered that the most prominent characteristic of the devil is his use of the strategy to “divide and conquer”. Unity is the soul of any fellowship. When unity is broken, the fellowship will fall apart.

What can we do to keep the unity of the Spirit?

In his book “Purpose Driven Life”, Rick Warren comes with the following advice:

• Focus on what we have in common, not on the differences 
• Be realistic in expectations (no fellowship is perfect) 
• Choose encouragement instead of criticism 
• Refuse to listen to gossip 
• Support the leaders 
• Practice God's method of conflict resolution (1) 

Paul’s advice to the Romans is in the same spirit:

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
Rom 14:19

‘Manna’ for today:

I want to make every effort to walk in and with peace!

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(1) Matt 18:15-17a

The important identity - a time for everything *

NORSK
Yesterday, I wrote about confident identity and confirmation. Identity is about who I am. When the identity is threatened, it is easy to get into a position of defence. The safer I am in my identity, the greater threats I can handle.

The question of identity is complex because we often have many roles. For example, I'm happy to be Norwegian, but that does not mean that it is better than having a different nationality. I'm glad to be a man, but that does not mean it's better than being a woman.

In Christ, we are 'one' (2), and the amazing thing is that this “identity of unity” does not wipe out diversity. On the contrary. Because we are united in Christ there is an acceptance of differences and diversity.

In the dialogue with the disciples before the crucifixion, Jesus was clear on his own identity and that he was confident with regard to the suffering that he soon should face. The same confidence can be mine when I have my identity in him:

“Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16: 32b-33

‘Manna’ for today

Identity in Christ gives peace at heart

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(1) One family, with Norwegian identity and a Danish citizen in the middle. Congratulations, it was a great confirmation, Adam!
(2) Gal 3:28 
* 'A time for everything' is connected with the Bible's teaching about a 'season for every activity' Eccl 3 This series is about the teaching in the ime between Easter and Pentecost