How much more will their full inclusion mean! - July 11

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 25; PM Psalm 9, 15; Joshua 2:1-14; Rom. 11:1-12; Matt. 25:1-13

“Now if their stumbling means riches for the world, and if their defeat means riches for Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!”

A simple statement from Paul to the Romans.  Paul is trying to show his Jewish brothers and sisters that God’s extension of love is beyond them, a message of love and inclusion to the Gentiles.  The very Gentiles who have killed prophets, destroyed altars, and left his friends and family feeling utterly alone. A timely lectionary indeed.  When faced with hardship, inclusion is the only answer.

Paul continues, “But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace would no longer be grace.” Grace upon grace upon grace.  Oddly, it is the stumbling of the Gentiles that teaches Paul about the true power of grace.  Without utterly messing up, they wouldn’t understand the true power of God’s inclusion and grace.   

Maybe love is similar, where we have to lose it all in order to understand the true value of love, the power of love, the hope of love, and what God has intended for each of us.  I wish more than anything that our community hadn’t been thrust through this ordeal, that the senseless loss of life wouldn’t have become our story.  And, I can honestly say, that I have a new understanding of grace, inclusion, and love that I wouldn’t have understood before. 

God is calling us into the full body of Christ, where all are welcome.  And it is the most beautiful community I have ever witnessed.  “Now if their stumbling means riches for the world, and if their defeat means riches for Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!”

John+

Questions for Self-Reflection:  What are your stumbling blocks?  Where have you experienced grace recently?  How have you experienced inclusion?

Daily Challenge:  Consider hosting some sort of gathering that brings different people together.  It could be a work lunch, happy hour, or coffee.  Set parameters so that people understand the purpose and feel safe.  If you do this, I would love to know about it later.