June 10: Third Sunday after Pentecost

June 8, 2018

See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen. –Galatians 6:11-18

On occasion I get a typed letter that has been duplicated, but the author will add a few handwritten sentences at the bottom of the paper that are just for me. If you’ve had this experience, you probably skipped down to the bottom and read those lines first. There’s something far more compelling about words that are personal and handwritten. While Paul wasn’t typing Galatians in Microsoft Word, he did regularly dictate his letters to an amanuensis (a scribe). But the passionate letter of Galatians required something from his own hand, so he lets them know, “See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.”

Paul is not only writing his name, but a warm and passionate paragraph of his final thoughts. The fire certainly has not gone out of his argument. These sentences masterfully bring together the several parts of the letter into a solemn conclusion. We can see that what he cares about most isn’t all the various things he’s mentioned (though they are vital), but the matter of chief importance is the cross. “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

The cross marks several divisions:  between the church and the world; and, also, between those in the church who are prepared to endure the “shame” of the cross and those who would try to remove the offense of the cross for greater relevance to the world. The You-Troublers (the Judaizers) in the Galatian church are the latter. “It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.”

They want to add a mark to the body (circumcision), but Paul declares that the only marks that matter on his body are the wounds he’s suffered from his allegiance to Jesus by not removing the offense. He’s arguing, in effect, “If it’s bodily marks that you what, then go with the signs of the cross rather than the circumciser’s knife!” “From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” 

There’s a good deal in the book about boasting and Paul brings it together in this closing paragraph as well. The You-Troublers want to boast in the “flesh” of their Gentile converts, but Paul says there is some room for boasting—in the cross! “Far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

He finally ends the letter with a benediction: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.” This good word is not only written to the Galatians but to all who trust in Christ alone, enduring the offense of the cross, and sowing to the Spirit, resisting the flesh. It is for the one true family of Abraham where race, gender, and social class are irrelevant, for all are one in Christ.

Come hear it preached and enacted in the Supper this Sunday.

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