So often, Christians think "denomination-ally". I am of the greatest sinner in this regard. I tend to think about my local church and its impact on my life and the life of my family. I think about my church and how it is impacting the local community. I think about Martin Luther and what he would have said about this or about that. I think of myself as a Lutheran. What church do you attend? What church are you a member of? These questions cause us to think small and local. Well, recently, my mind has been on the greater Christian church. My mind has been thinking less about my local community church and more about the larger church as a whole.
In some recent studies, I am convinced that God would not want this division of denominations. These breaks all happened for good reasons. It's human nature to want to associate and commune with those who are of similar mind, but so often we get off track because of the little things that divide us. As a Lutheran, I give thanks for the steps that Martin Luther made almost 500 years ago to define ways he thought the Catholic church should change. When it was clear that they would not, the Lutheran denomination was born. But, even since then, the Lutheran church has now divided itself again and again. That's just one example of many church splits that occur and will continue to occur because someone or some group of people believe that their church is headed in the wrong direction.
But, today, Christian churches all over the world of different denominations, in different languages will celebrate Palm Sunday together. Today, Christian churches who have different beliefs about how to worship will come together today and focus less on how they worship and more so on why they worship. Together, we celebrate and lay our palms down in front of our King. Today, we reflect words that I recently read from Galations 3:7, "So you see that it is men of faith who are the sons of Abraham." And from Galatians 3:26, "For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith." And Galatians 3:28 "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
Time and time again in the new testament in speaks of being one in Christ, but Ephesians 2 seems to clearly outline this topic. In verses 11-22 he is speaking to Gentiles and explaining to them that "by grace you are saved through faith" and that "he is our peace who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility" (v.14) in order that we become "members of the household of God" (v.19). We are all adopted to sonship by our faith.
Before Dietrich Bonhoeffer became a Pastor, said that his life was greatly influenced when he was 18 and had the opportunity to attend a Catholic mass in Rome on Palm Sunday. This mass was attended by thousands and all different denominations were present. It was at this mass that he began to see the universal church rather than thinking locally. So, today, I hope that we all have a chance to step back and see the larger church. I hope that we put aside the denominational thinking and see that we need to refocus on the things that are most important...our faith...and how we allow that faith to live a life of love for those around us.
Have a blessed day!
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