Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“[James said,] ‘Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God, but we should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from whatever has been strangled and from blood.’”
NL Daily Devotion for Wednesday, May 11, 2022
by Dr. Kimberly Leetch, Clergy Stuff
After a lengthy debate about whether or not new Gentile Christians should be circumcised, the church leaders came to a decision. Based on all they had heard, they would not require Gentiles to become circumcised. It may seem obvious to us now, as Christians today do not circumcise for religious reasons.
But let’s read a bit further. Although they agreed not to make circumcision a hallmark of Christianity, James still suggested that Gentiles be encouraged to “abstain only from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from whatever has been strangled and from blood.” It’s almost comical the way it’s written. Read: let’s encourage them to stay away from things polluted by idols. Oh, and to stay away from fornication. Also, stay away from anything that has been strangled. Yes, and while we’re at it, let’s discourage contact with blood, too.
It’s as if Jewish Christians were willing to let go of circumcision after a long debate on the topic, but they weren’t yet willing to let go of several other lesser problems from idolatry to contact with blood. (It doesn’t escape me that avoiding contact with blood meant that women menstruating were still considered unclean, but that’s a whole devotion of its own for another time.)
As time has passed, Christians have loosened their grip on these things James lifted up. But Christians still find ways to hold on to things they simply are not ready to give up. Consider what are the things you cannot abide? What would your faith and your community look like if you loosened your grip on those things?
