Daily Liturgy and Scripture

Peter gives us a very different kind of power dynamic than what we have come to expect. No longer are we struggling against one another, trying to seize power, but we are submitting to one another. Even wicked slavemasters are not resisted, although that would take an immense amount of dependence on a delivering God. Certainly none of these models are different than what Jesus showed us, and his example remains the one for us to aspire to.

Only God can purify us, and he has made us new. Our side of the bargain is obedience, walking in step with the path set by Christ. Of course, this still doesn't make us able to save ourselves. It is God's choice to set us right with him, and we are made all the better when we put ourselves in God's hands.

As the apostle Peter addresses believers around the region who were probably suffering persecution under the horrible emperor Nero. In these times, it was critical to remind the body of Christ that their best future still lay in the future, and would be with Christ. In the meantime, even while under persecution, the Church is still supposed to be a different kind of community, a reflection of our Savior.

James concludes his letter with encouragement, because he point of holy living isn’t just being a better person. It should create a community of people who reflect out Savior. We are not the first to experience suffering, nor will we be the last. The life that we lead together, the life of the Church, is a shared experience that should give a glimpse of what is to come.

Today the Church remembers James (from whom we have been reading this week) and Phillip. James, thought to be a brother of Jesus, has been outlining some pretty specific rules for Christian living. Today is no exception, as he challenges us to lay aside the pursuit of thing right in front of us for the eternal. Phillip is an apostle that not much is written about. In this section of scripture today, though, we see him running to get someone else to follow Jesus after he starts following himself. This instant multiplication of the Kingdom is exactly what apostles should do.

"If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all" is probably something we can all carry with us. Remembering that the person we're addressing is a creation made in God's image is certainly a good reminder when we're thinking of how we want to approach someone else. Of course, this becomes difficult when we try to put it into practice. People cause us pain and wrong us. Difficult though it is, this is certainly the way Jesus was treated as well, and he is the one we claim to follow.

Faith should play out in our actions, just as James says the soul gives life to the body. Certainly, this does not mean that if we're good enough, we will earn God's love. It does not mean that we can save ourselves. If our faith is alive, though, the evidence should be found in the way we live. 

James reminds us that we should treat the rich and poor equally as our brothers in the church. This is very difficult to do, since we are naturally drawn to those who can do something for us. The rich have the resources to do so, but the poor not so much. Under Christ, we all draw from his riches, and hopefully share some of the bounty of our earthly possessions with those who have less. 

James is believed to have been written by a brother of Jesus, a son of Mary and Joseph. It seems a bit heavy on legalism, but don't be tempted to go too far with that approach. Certainly a holy life is possible only because of the life and sacrifice of Jesus, and a holy life should also model him.

The end of Hebrews is directly about Jesus. He is the high priest and the sacrifice, which fulfills the law. Our sacrifice is no longer blood offerings, but praise. Not only the praise of worship, but of holy living. Jesus made this change in his coming, but it remains our task in the rhythm of the Kingdom.