“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” – Ephesians 4:2-6
I recently had the privilege of meeting with our confirmation students. Confirmation is a class offered to our 7th-grade students to learn about Christ, the Church, and what God has created them to be. At the end of Confirmation, students are offered the opportunity to become full, professing church members. The topic that day was the body of Christ. We talked about how everyone is made differently and with purpose. The confirmation class is filled with so many outstanding students. While we were talking about their place in the body of Christ, I was reminded of the early believers.
When you look at the people who first helped the church come to life, you will see many diverse people. Two of the strongest leaders of the early church were quite different from one another.
Peter was one of the first people to follow Jesus. He famously laid down his nets to become a “fisher of people.” (Matthew 4:9). Peter came from the shores of the Sea of Galilee, where he grew up working with his hands, making a living by fishing. Peter went from being a blue-collar worker to leading the church from Jerusalem to Rome.
Paul was from a family that provided him with the best education. He was a highly trained Jewish Pharisee who was an expert in the law and had great political ambition. Paul was also a Roman citizen. Unlike Peter, Paul did not follow Jesus during Jesus’ earthly ministry. Paul met Jesus in that famous encounter on the road to Damascus. (Acts 9)
Two different men, two different backgrounds, and two different journeys, yet both worked to bring about a church that has shared the good news of Jesus around the world. Peter and Paul were dissimilar, but they had the same goal. Peter and Paul came from two distinct backgrounds, but they worked together to create a church where all could belong.
The people who follow Jesus and the people who serve the world in Jesus’s name are diverse people. We are all part of the family of faith but not all the same. God uses all types of people to accomplish His good purpose. We often focus on our differences, but it is our purpose that unites us. As God’s people, we are called to a good work (Ephesians 2:10), sharing God’s love and bringing hope to the world.
Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
