community dealing with difference

Good morning sisters and brothers,
Paul has been talking about dietary and other laws and how, while they no longer apply to Christians, we still need to be respectful of people who observe those laws. The main thrust of this argument has been to bring together Jewish and Gentile Christians. The main reason food regulations are so important to Jews at the time is that it helped them preserve their faith and some sense of autonomy in a world where many parts of their lives were controlled by gentiles. Judaism is in many ways very tied to God's covenant with the ancestors and the people of Israel. That covenant centered in a land of their own with laws to establish a faithful, national community. Dietary laws helped keep some of this sense of unity, autonomy and dedication to God alive when the people of Israel no longer controlled their own land or political destiny.

Christianity began as a Jewish movement, but quickly attracted people outside Judaism. That presented a great deal of controversy for many religious leaders, but Paul is convinced that God has called all people to be one in Christ. That means the old distinctions between Jew and Gentile no longer apply. In today's reading Paul lifts up scripture that foreshadows that the promise to the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, etc) had always intended to bring in the gentiles. God hasn't abandoned his promises to Israel, but those promises overflow into love and community for all people.

Thanks be to God,
Sam

Romans 15:4-13

4For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. 5May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.


7Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. 8For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, "Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles, and sing praises to your name"; 10and again he says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people"; 11and again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him"; 12and again Isaiah says, "The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles shall hope." 13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.