1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28
A Christian was stranded on a deserted island for a long time. Eventually a boat passed by and rescued him. The crew asked him, "If you've been here by yourself why are there three buildings on the island?" The first was his home, he told them. The second was his church, which, he mentioned, he loved and was an enthusiastic member thereof. When they asked about the third building on the island, he made a nasty face and said, "oh, that's the church I used to go to."
I love- love- LOVE - this illustration- because it shows so clearly how easy divisions happen. Divisions in our own hearts – in our families and churches as well. What is it about fallen human nature that prefers to harbor resentments and judgments and withdraw from others -rather than be outgoing, tolerant, forgiving and kind?
In our Gospel lesson, we see how easily sides are drawn. Jesus, on the Sabbath, teaches in Capernaum. He is confronted by a man with an unclean spirit. Jesus heals the man – discarding the rules about not working on the sabbath out of love for a suffering man. And people were amazed. Through Jesus they experienced a new teaching, a new way of being with authority. It made them question the old ways. Jesus brought together knowledge and love. And that combination made Jesus a house-hold name throughout Galilee. The old guard and the establishment became angry. No doubt felt threatened. So, conflict erupts here because they cannot accept the fact that they are being displaced by Jesus in the people’s hearts.
We also see a big blow-out conflict in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. It focuses on eating meat sacrificed to idols. In Corinth, there was no ‘secular’ slaughter of animals for meat. Virtually all meat came from animals that had been offered to Greek and Roman deities.
So, the burning question was this: was it okay for Christian believers to eat such meat? For Paul, meat sacrificed to these so-called-gods—idols -- meant absolutely nothing. Eating food sacrificed to a nonexistent being did not trouble his conscience. “Food would not bring one closer to God,” he said. Even Jesus said, “what goes in your mouth doesn’t defile you” (Matt.15:11)
But some believers in Corinth were scrupulous about the food-sacrificed- to-idols. They believed eating such meat was attune to idol worship. Some believed that it would harm their relationship with God. And so, arguments broke out. The non-meat eaters were scandalized by the Christians meat-eaters who believed themselves to be spiritually advanced. This scandalized the non-meat eater camp. Many fell away as a result.
For Paul, the problem ran even deeper. Was it possible to have greater knowledge, but still act in a spiritually incorrect manner? " Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” Paul wrote. The Greek word translated as “puffs up” gives us the image of an object puffed up with wind, which might appear grand but really has no real substance. There’s something wrong when we accumulate vast amounts of knowledge but fail to be considerate of the needs of others. What is more important --being right or being loving?
Knowledge comes and goes. It can become obsolete. Our opinions change when faced with different facts. Knowledge can disappear is a puff of smoke, replaced by new ideas, new insights, new interpretations. But love is a different story. Love remains. Love builds up. Love endures. Love is eternal. To build up here means to edify. To create an edifice. Christians who love, seek to edify one another. We are to build each other up in faith. Paul insists that Christians are called to consider the path of love, which often trumps the way of knowledge.
As we move forward as a church in a time of transition – we might be tempted to focus on what’s lacking. Different opinions surface. Sometimes we even point blame for all the inertia. Some might still feel disappointed that things have changed so much this last year, even since COVID times. People are tempted to fall away. Will we be like that Island guy and start over in a new church setting? Or will we follow the example of Jesus who overlooks the old way of doing things in order to heal a man? Will we listen to what Paul has to say and make building each other up in love as our goal – especially during this time of change?
Our big takeaway from our scriptures today, is will we, as we live through change, let love and kindness guide us – will we put relationships first? What if instead of waiting for some pastor to come along to make changes – we did things ourselves? Instead of feeling sad and empty, what would it take for us to work together to build up our beloved community? It doesn’t have to be big – like the 100-year gala from last fall. We can start something and let it grow. What’s important is that we listen to the needs that are present in our church community – in our neighborhood at large – listen - not in fear or blame – but with a can-do attitude that responds in love. Like Jesus, we can do something new, meaningful – that can turn our hearts around and back to God and each other.
Today our scriptures challenge us to be an edifice of love – where all God’s people can find refuge and prosper. We know the rules – we know the interim process – but what’s more important than all that is to love and care for each other right now. No need to wait. Let us face transition together – with graciousness, tolerance and love. As Paul reminds us – let us not let anyone fall away in discouragement or frustration. Let love reign – and guide us to create a church where all are welcome – all find a place - and all find the love of the Lord – especially through the loving kindness we have for one another – love that fills our hearts as we let our lives be filled with amazement – an amazement of a new authority – that comes with putting people first – making healing a priority – giving others a chance –give ourselves a chance so that together we become a living edifice of love that will thrive and prosper and we move forward together, through Jesus our Lord.. Amen.