During this Christmas season we are once again reminded of the truth that the eternal Word was made flesh. God the Word became a man so that he might be the head of a new body and a new creation. But in order to be the head he first had to be the heel, the heal that had to be bruised. As we have been studying in 1Corinthians, this is the wisdom of God that baffles the world. We don't tend to think about headship in this way. But the only way to lead ... really the only way to live ... is to be bruised. As we reflect upon the past year and look forward to the next is good to reflect upon our lives in light of the cross and what it means to live this cruciform life, having our lives evaluated by this standard. As Christians we don't measure our success in terms of how much money we've made over the past year (even though there is nothing wrong with making money). Neither is success measured by the social status we've gained (even though there is nothing wrong with gaining social status per se). Success in the past year is measured by how we submitted to the "bruising" we endured. Did we chafe and rebel, or did we receive it with thanks and allow ourselves to be malleable? Did we, like Christ, give up our rights and, in some sense, give ourselves over to the bruising for the sake of others? Did we husbands, as heads of our wives, insist on our own rights, or did we give them up for the sake of our wives? Remember men, you can't be a faithful head without being the bruised heel. Did wives give up their rights for their husbands? Did parents give up their rights for their children? Did children give up their rights for their siblings, friends, and parents? Inasmuch as we have done these things, 2011 has been a success in the eyes of the one who judges all things, and his judgment is all that matters in the end. Right now, we are seated with Christ in the heavenly places, ruling the new creation. This headship reflects (or is to reflect) his headship, which, as I said, is submitting to being the bruised heel. So, as we look forward to 2012 may we be resolved to rely upon the Holy Spirit given to us so that we might give ourselves over to be the heel that is to be bruised so that we might share in Christ's headship faithfully now and in the future resurrection.
Blessings,
Pastor
No comments:
Post a Comment