Purpose
I posted this October 17, 2008 on my previous blog… not much has changed.
Galatians 2
6 As for those who seemed to be important-whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by external appearance-those men added nothing to my message. 7 On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews. 8 For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles. 9 James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews. 10 All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.
- NIV
It is fascinating to hear Paul’s take on what must be considered one of the most influential meetings of Church leaders in church history. This was the moment when the gospel blossomed, the hidden purposes of God were fully revealed to the light. No longer was God, a God only for the Jews but now he was a God for all people. God’s special relationship with the Jewish people was no longer kept under lock and key. It was accessible to all, no admission fee, no hidden charges.
I have been to a few church meetings in my short life and I am sure Paul must have been leaving a few things out. Where are the hidden agendas, the constant debate and negotiation, the personal attacks and drawing of battle lines? The decision made here was far more important and far further reaching in consequence than changing the colour of the back wall of the church. Yet no comprises were needed to be reached, no oversight committee put in place. All that was asked, not even demanded, was that the poor continued to be remembered.
I just love this line, at a defining moment in history, when God’s plan for the restoration of humanity is declared the focus is not on infant baptism, communion or any other theology, it is on the poor. God’s heart is not only to bring his relationship to all people but it is also to bring his heavenly order to all people. Starting most importantly with the poor, the people who this worldly order is least able to understand and help.
I wonder today if the Church just focused on telling the Good News and helping the poor, that in the face of this overwhelming task, all the other problems and issues, like Peter and Paul, will seem so insignificant that they are not even worth a mention. Today as we face a global financial crisis and people are looking more and more to themselves and their own, maybe this is a time when it is more important than ever for the Church to faithfully continue the task set before it.
