“On Being Together!”

“On Being Together!”(Eph.3:1-6).
In my village if someone asks you, “Who are you to talk when men are talking?”, it wouldn’t mean that the person does not know you. It would mean that according to that person, you are not of noble lineage or you are a stranger. Most African tribes have that perjorative name which they call outsiders or people of other tribes.
Yet, in family gatherings the entrance of a stranger is seen as God’s approval of the family meeting.
The stories of conversion in African communities in missionary times show that early converts were mostly women and few men who were not of noble lineage. Even the first African evangelists and catechists were “the village never do wells.” The pride of the nobility prevented them from sending their children to school. According to them children were beaten in school, so only children of slaves deserved to go to school. When they later realised their mistake, they lamented in proverb that “the whiteman has given teeth to fowls.” When they saw their folly which rendered them helpless, they lamented that “porridge is cold and some people can now take it through the nostrils.”
The Jews had that kind of superiority complex in which they considered themselves to be the favoured of God with all others being non-aligned people.
Paul highlights that such exclusivism which led to arrogance was not in God’s plan of salvation. The gospel of Christ bridges the chasms and pulls down all dividing walls that see some as belonging and others as outsiders.
I am not able to explain it here now, but the text of today is one of the motivating texts which prompted the late venerable Prof. Andrew F. Walls to write the essay, “The great Ephesian Moment.”
The great Ephesian moment is the unfolding of God’s hidden mystery which is that “through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”
This is a pill too difficult for Israel to swallow, but it is a panacea to the Gentiles that we are.
Christ is not only for all nations, he is for all of us in absolute togetherness. No doubt that in this one verse Paul uses the word “together” three times. In the Church of Christ we are heirs together, members together of one body, sharing together in the promise.
Dear friend, this is the last day of one calendar year. We are transiting into a new year. From wherever you are reading and from whichever side you are on, how do you intend to enter the new year?
Sometimes I enjoy watching WWE championship. Some of the wrestling bouts are fierce and last long. When a winner emerges, the question I ask myself is whether it was necessary to allow one’s self to be beaten so brutally only to lose? Well, any combatant goes to the combat with the determination to win, but it is also very important to count the cost but above all to consider the strength of your opposition and be realistic in considering your chances of winning. If not we may just be entering another year wherein we would continue to bury our dead as we each claim to be right. We are strong together and whatever has to be can only be by the LORD’S doing.
Let us seek God’s will for our people as we journey together in this journey of faith.
Remember, it is not just about being Christian or not! God by any other name remains who he is!
Let us enjoy the great Ephesian Moment that has been offered to us through Christ.
Sunday prayer: Holy Spirit inspire us to strive for the cords that bind us together in love. Amen!
Have a blessed Sunday! Peace be with you! Happy New Year!
Rev Babila Fochang.