Narrative Lectionary Summer Series – 2 Corinthians Series, “Walk by Faith not Sight”
2 Cor 5:1-21
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Furthering the Power of God’s Story – Narrative Lectionary Commentary
by Pastor Ron Valadez
This chapter is known for Paul’s proclamation, “we walk by faith, not by sight.” But I think we misunderstand this much the same way that many misunderstand that the opposite of racism is not being “colorblind”, which hearkens back to Paul’s points from chapter 2, as well as the ending of chapter 4. People of color do not generally want their white allies to not see their color. Indeed, we do want people to see our color, because it tells a story about who we are and where we’ve come from. So, it’s less about the absence of sight, and more about seeing with new eyes, and that is what Paul was trying to get at here, and we know that based on where he lands toward the end of the chapter.
Paul does say that we walk by faith and not by sight, but he then goes on the explain what that looks like. And two points really stand out here: one, Paul emphasizes the difference between seeing what is the outward appearance, and seeing what is in the heart. Paul knows that what you see is not always what you get, for good or ill. And so, focusing on what is in the heart will not only get you further in your mission to spread the good news, but is safer for all.
And two, as Paul often does, he makes a connection to sacrifice. Here, he reminds us not only of Christ’s sacrifice, but of our own, our own dying to ourselves because that’s the only way that this mission is going to work, with sacrifice. And this new way of seeing that Paul is about to talk about, will indeed take some sacrifice.
At verse 16, Paul really drives this home: “[W]e regard no one from a human point of view . . .” Our gut instinct here is to say, “But we are human! How else can we see?” And yes, I know, we’re not Jesus. But neither was Paul, and yet he urges us to see the world with new eyes, to stretch ourselves beyond our faulty, clay jar humanity! It’s almost as if he is saying here, “If you could only see the way Christ sees, all of this would makes sense and I wouldn’t have to write this letter!” (Which in turn reminds me of that late 90’s classic by Tonic.)
Following Christ means that we are a new creation and that means we have a new set of eyes, and Paul is urging us to use them. It’s the only way that true reconciliation within the world is going to happen, which is what the whole chapter is about anyway, right! Reconciliation. The reconciling of God’s people to Christ, the reconciling of God’s people to each other, the reconciling of God’s people to the entire world. And the only way that can happen, is if we use the eyes that God has fashioned for us through our baptism.
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The following links and resources are not produced or maintained by Clergy Stuff. However, at the time of this posting, the links were active and considered to be good source material for proclamation for the text for this week. Please scroll down or click on the quick jump menu you find below. For more free worship resources & planning materials, please visit our links for RCL Worship Resources.
Contemporary Resources
Reconciling the Whole World, by Theology of Work Project
From Wrongdoer to New Creation: Reconciliation in 2 Corinthians, by Laurie Brink
The Real Voyage of Discovery: Seeing With New Eyes, by Julio Olalla
A Good Read
Through God's Eyes: Finding Peace and Purpose in a Troubled World
by Phil Bolsta
When you feel stuck in your job or relationship . . . when all you worked for leaves you feeling empty inside . . . when fear of what is to come consumes sleepless nights . . . when love seems like an impossible choice to make . . . when the world is not large enough to contain your grief . . . when you struggle to forgive the unforgivable . . . there is one solution that brings true peace.See the world through God’s eyes.Look through God’s eyes and you see that you are being guided in every moment with infinite wisdom and inexhaustible love, that life is unfolding with indescribable beauty and grace, that Spirit is gently urging you to align your will with Divine Will and be a source of love, hope, and healing energy to all who cross your path.If you have more confusion than clarity about how to live your beliefs, the ancient wisdom permeating “Through God’s Eyes” offers the hope and promise that you can escape from the prison of human perception, welcome peace, love, and joy as the dearest of friends, and become a more positive and powerful force for good in the world.
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Free Dramatic Reading For This Text (NRSV)
Readers: Paul 1, Paul 2
Paul 1: For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling— if indeed, when we have taken it off we will not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan under our burden, because we wish not to be unclothed but to be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
Paul 2: He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord— for we walk by faith, not by sight.
Paul 1: Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil.
Paul 2: Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade others; but we ourselves are well known to God, and I hope that we are also well known to your consciences.
Paul 1: We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast in outward appearance and not in the heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.
Paul 2: From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
Paul 1: All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.