Day 62. Colossians 3-4. Cosmic Epistle gets practical
As I read the rest of this letter, I'm also struck by Paul's statement about supplying what is missing in the suffering of Jesus. I have always been taught that there was nothing missing in the suffering of Jesus, so I'm intrigued by what he means. What is the meaning of the suffering of Paul, or our own suffering, for that matter? How does this connect with Jesus? What does it mean (do you think) to "supply what is missing"?
You may have noticed that again, Paul gives advice to members of households: husbands and wives, slaves and masters, children and parents. The gospel is cosmic, but has practical and local implications. Even though Paul admonishes masters to be kind to their slaves, I would wish that perhaps the bold Paul could be even bolder with regard to slavery. Perhaps that was not possible, given that time and place. That was left to later generations of Christians. Later one, they would appropriate the Exodus story to work for freedom for those enslaved. And we still can, despite Paul's caution.
Finally, as I read this letter (and others!) I can't help but notice how often Paul speaks of prayer. He prayers, he gives thanks for other people's prayers, and he promises to pray for the churches he has visited and the churches he is planning to visit. Prayer brings a kind of proximity with those who are far away, and binds them all together.
Prayer moves all throughout the letters of Paul. How does it move through your life? How can we give prayer a primary importance in our daily lives? What do you pray for, and how do you pray?
You may have noticed that again, Paul gives advice to members of households: husbands and wives, slaves and masters, children and parents. The gospel is cosmic, but has practical and local implications. Even though Paul admonishes masters to be kind to their slaves, I would wish that perhaps the bold Paul could be even bolder with regard to slavery. Perhaps that was not possible, given that time and place. That was left to later generations of Christians. Later one, they would appropriate the Exodus story to work for freedom for those enslaved. And we still can, despite Paul's caution.
Finally, as I read this letter (and others!) I can't help but notice how often Paul speaks of prayer. He prayers, he gives thanks for other people's prayers, and he promises to pray for the churches he has visited and the churches he is planning to visit. Prayer brings a kind of proximity with those who are far away, and binds them all together.
Prayer moves all throughout the letters of Paul. How does it move through your life? How can we give prayer a primary importance in our daily lives? What do you pray for, and how do you pray?
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