Learning to Lovewell: W5 - MON
Crosswalk will be a community that lives beyond herself by caring and advocating for the oppressed, powerless, and abandoned.
Lives beyond herself
Acts 2:42-47, NLT 42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
When I was in college, in addition to theology, I also studied Speech Communications. I was fascinated with all the ways you communicate, verbally and non-verbally, as well as the settings we do so, publicly, small groups, friendships, etc…
One of the areas of study that fascinated me the most, was the concept of semantics. The basic idea of semantics is that words don’t mean anything, people attach meanings to words. For example, the word “run” has the most uses of a single word in the English language. You can run to the store, have a run in your tights, the Strawberry jam can run down your shirt, etc…
I bring this up because there is a phrase that has been controversial for some in the last decade when referring to the work of Jesus in His time, as well as His call for us in ours. That term is “social justice.” For some, suggesting that Jesus was heavily involved in social justice issues of his day and that we should be too, comes under another interesting term that has become a trigger for many, woke.
But in reality, these are just words and it’s us who attach meaning to them. So instead of jumping to any conclusions on what someone does or doesn’t mean with the words they use, let’s practice saying two of the most valuable words in the English language when put together, “Say more.” If you don’t understand or aren’t sure what someone means with the words they use, ask them to, “Say more.” It’s an incredible gift, because how many people in your life actually want to hear you talk more? (is that just a me problem?)
Anyway, when you look at the life of Jesus, he was VERY involved in issues of social justice, if social justice means helping to right the wrongs of society. And I think we can all agree that society is broken when it is made up of people, which last time I checked, it always is made up of people so therefore, it will always have brokenness.
This week, we will talk about some of the things Jesus did to address the social wrongs of his day. How we spoke to and gave room for women in his ministry, something not done in his time. When he gathered with the outcasts of society and fellowshipped with them. When he encouraged people to take care of the less fortunate around us, and challenge the religious folks to be more opening and loving. All of these were addressing social issues of his time.
We also see this effect in the incredible passage of what the early church looked like. Remember, the church is the new incarnation of Jesus in this world, His body, representing His presence. So when they “shared” their money with those in need, fed each other, communed together to encourage one another and meet each other's needs, they were representing the heart of Jesus.
Our call is the same today, and when we live this way, life takes on new meaning. An anonymous quote I like to share that relates to this says, “My life begins to have a point when I am no longer the point of my life.” If that doesn’t sound like the life of Jesus, I don’t know what does, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28, NLT)
Lives beyond herself
Acts 2:42-47, NLT 42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
When I was in college, in addition to theology, I also studied Speech Communications. I was fascinated with all the ways you communicate, verbally and non-verbally, as well as the settings we do so, publicly, small groups, friendships, etc…
One of the areas of study that fascinated me the most, was the concept of semantics. The basic idea of semantics is that words don’t mean anything, people attach meanings to words. For example, the word “run” has the most uses of a single word in the English language. You can run to the store, have a run in your tights, the Strawberry jam can run down your shirt, etc…
I bring this up because there is a phrase that has been controversial for some in the last decade when referring to the work of Jesus in His time, as well as His call for us in ours. That term is “social justice.” For some, suggesting that Jesus was heavily involved in social justice issues of his day and that we should be too, comes under another interesting term that has become a trigger for many, woke.
But in reality, these are just words and it’s us who attach meaning to them. So instead of jumping to any conclusions on what someone does or doesn’t mean with the words they use, let’s practice saying two of the most valuable words in the English language when put together, “Say more.” If you don’t understand or aren’t sure what someone means with the words they use, ask them to, “Say more.” It’s an incredible gift, because how many people in your life actually want to hear you talk more? (is that just a me problem?)
Anyway, when you look at the life of Jesus, he was VERY involved in issues of social justice, if social justice means helping to right the wrongs of society. And I think we can all agree that society is broken when it is made up of people, which last time I checked, it always is made up of people so therefore, it will always have brokenness.
This week, we will talk about some of the things Jesus did to address the social wrongs of his day. How we spoke to and gave room for women in his ministry, something not done in his time. When he gathered with the outcasts of society and fellowshipped with them. When he encouraged people to take care of the less fortunate around us, and challenge the religious folks to be more opening and loving. All of these were addressing social issues of his time.
We also see this effect in the incredible passage of what the early church looked like. Remember, the church is the new incarnation of Jesus in this world, His body, representing His presence. So when they “shared” their money with those in need, fed each other, communed together to encourage one another and meet each other's needs, they were representing the heart of Jesus.
Our call is the same today, and when we live this way, life takes on new meaning. An anonymous quote I like to share that relates to this says, “My life begins to have a point when I am no longer the point of my life.” If that doesn’t sound like the life of Jesus, I don’t know what does, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28, NLT)
- When you think of Jesus trying to right some of the wrongs in the society of his time, what stories or instances come to mind?
- What are some of the wrongs in our society that weigh heavy on your heart? What people/groups do you worry about and feel compelled to care for in some tangible way?
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