Preparing for the way of the cross to Easter
2nd Sunday before Lent- I Corinthians 9:24-27
“ And I do all things for the gospel’s sake” I Corinthians 9:23
As we prepare to celebrate Easter in about 60 days this Scripture in the last few verses of I Corinthians 9 about the commitment of the Apostle to the gospel talk about his total life in service to Christ. He lays down some of his own thoughts concerning his life and how Christianity is not just a belief but a way of life for him. “ Woe is me if I preach if I preach not the gospel.” 9:16 He then talks about a stewardship “intrusted to me” v. 17.
I Corinthians 4:1 reminds us that we are “ stewards of the mysteries of God”. This certainly applies to not just pastors or leaders in the church but also all Christians. This word steward is from a Greek word which literally means to be the manager of a household. “ it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.” 4:2 We have been entrusted as Christians with the gospel , the good news of liberation of a soul from death unto to life. We must be faithful as we the householders dispense the good news of his grace to people who are spiritually dead in their trespasses and sins.
Knowing this remarkable trust of the gospel and having it we share it with the people around us near and far who need it. What are the things the Apostle shares about this in I Corinthians 9? He says that “ to the weak I became weak: I am become all things to all men that I may by all means save some.” 9:22 What are we talking about ? For the Apostle it meant being servant to all that some may respond . It is His message and He will take care of its fruits. We cannot do that. We are the sowers of the Word and trust that some hearts will receive the Word and believe it for eternal life. The Spirit brings people to life . We are His ambassadors ,2 Cor . 5:20 carrying the “treasure in earthen vessels” that is in our lives and minds and hearts.
The crux of this passage today is some of the things that the Apostle says he does and thinks about as a steward of the mysteries of Christ. The people in Corinth would know about athletic contests. The Isthmian games were held there every three years, second only to the Olympic games. What runner would run to come in second & not win the prize? The prize was a wreath of pine . The Christian runs for Christ to gain the crown that never fades, “ incorruptible” 9:25
Self –denial was necessary for the athlete in preparation for the games. Self-control was also needed. The language is stark, “ I keep under my body , lit. beat black and blue, and bring it into subjection , lit. enslave it lest that by any means, when I have preached to others , I myself should be rejected.” 9:27 It is said that Luther counted suffering among the marks of the true church. Bonhoeffer in Discipleship said, “ Discipleship is being bound to the suffering Christ. That is why Christian suffering is not disconcerting. Instead, it is nothing but grace and joy.”
As we approach the days of our journey to Easter we are reminded of the great treasure that has been given to us in the gospel. We who are frail and weak carry it for others that they may see and trust in the living God .We begin to make preparation as we journey on the way to the Cross with our Lord. We go with Him and it is our privilege and honor. To the weak, we become weak. We are to be His eyes and ears and hands in this world that frowns on weakness. William Law who lived from 1686-1761 and was an Anglican minister said that , “ if we are to follow Christ, it must be in the way we spend each day.” A major part of that is the discipline of our bodies that our souls may be open to the words and actions of our Lord in the way to the Cross. That is why we sung the hymn, “ Rise My Soul , to Watch and Pray” and recall its words:
“ Watch against thyself, my soul, lest with grace thou trifle; let not self thy thoughts control nor God’s mercy stifle. Pride and sin lurk within all thy hopes to scatter; heed not when they flatter. But while watching, also pray to the Lord unceasing. He will free thee, be thy stay, strength and faith increasing. O Lord, bless in distress and let nothing swerve me from the will to serve thee.” Johann B. Freystein, 1697
“ And I do all things for the gospel’s sake” I Corinthians 9:23
As we prepare to celebrate Easter in about 60 days this Scripture in the last few verses of I Corinthians 9 about the commitment of the Apostle to the gospel talk about his total life in service to Christ. He lays down some of his own thoughts concerning his life and how Christianity is not just a belief but a way of life for him. “ Woe is me if I preach if I preach not the gospel.” 9:16 He then talks about a stewardship “intrusted to me” v. 17.
I Corinthians 4:1 reminds us that we are “ stewards of the mysteries of God”. This certainly applies to not just pastors or leaders in the church but also all Christians. This word steward is from a Greek word which literally means to be the manager of a household. “ it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.” 4:2 We have been entrusted as Christians with the gospel , the good news of liberation of a soul from death unto to life. We must be faithful as we the householders dispense the good news of his grace to people who are spiritually dead in their trespasses and sins.
Knowing this remarkable trust of the gospel and having it we share it with the people around us near and far who need it. What are the things the Apostle shares about this in I Corinthians 9? He says that “ to the weak I became weak: I am become all things to all men that I may by all means save some.” 9:22 What are we talking about ? For the Apostle it meant being servant to all that some may respond . It is His message and He will take care of its fruits. We cannot do that. We are the sowers of the Word and trust that some hearts will receive the Word and believe it for eternal life. The Spirit brings people to life . We are His ambassadors ,2 Cor . 5:20 carrying the “treasure in earthen vessels” that is in our lives and minds and hearts.
The crux of this passage today is some of the things that the Apostle says he does and thinks about as a steward of the mysteries of Christ. The people in Corinth would know about athletic contests. The Isthmian games were held there every three years, second only to the Olympic games. What runner would run to come in second & not win the prize? The prize was a wreath of pine . The Christian runs for Christ to gain the crown that never fades, “ incorruptible” 9:25
Self –denial was necessary for the athlete in preparation for the games. Self-control was also needed. The language is stark, “ I keep under my body , lit. beat black and blue, and bring it into subjection , lit. enslave it lest that by any means, when I have preached to others , I myself should be rejected.” 9:27 It is said that Luther counted suffering among the marks of the true church. Bonhoeffer in Discipleship said, “ Discipleship is being bound to the suffering Christ. That is why Christian suffering is not disconcerting. Instead, it is nothing but grace and joy.”
As we approach the days of our journey to Easter we are reminded of the great treasure that has been given to us in the gospel. We who are frail and weak carry it for others that they may see and trust in the living God .We begin to make preparation as we journey on the way to the Cross with our Lord. We go with Him and it is our privilege and honor. To the weak, we become weak. We are to be His eyes and ears and hands in this world that frowns on weakness. William Law who lived from 1686-1761 and was an Anglican minister said that , “ if we are to follow Christ, it must be in the way we spend each day.” A major part of that is the discipline of our bodies that our souls may be open to the words and actions of our Lord in the way to the Cross. That is why we sung the hymn, “ Rise My Soul , to Watch and Pray” and recall its words:
“ Watch against thyself, my soul, lest with grace thou trifle; let not self thy thoughts control nor God’s mercy stifle. Pride and sin lurk within all thy hopes to scatter; heed not when they flatter. But while watching, also pray to the Lord unceasing. He will free thee, be thy stay, strength and faith increasing. O Lord, bless in distress and let nothing swerve me from the will to serve thee.” Johann B. Freystein, 1697
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