Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.”
NL Daily Devotion for Sunday, May 16, 2021
by Dr. Kimberly Leetch, Clergy Stuff
Main Idea: God’s salvation was unconditional.
Some in the early Christian church insisted that the Gentiles follow the laws of the Jews. Circumcision, laws of eating and grooming, of relationships and how to care for the land—all these were dictated by the laws of Moses.
But Paul knew that salvation was a gift greater than could be earned by following the laws. While he insisted that Jewish Christians follow the laws (Gal. 1, 2), he also insisted that Gentile Christians not be required to do so. Neither following of the laws nor disobeying the laws would save or condemn. Salvation was given as a gift to those who heard and believed. No longer would there be distinctions between Jews and Gentiles, men and women, slave and free. Salvation was for all.
It’s an interesting argument coming from Paul. On the one hand, he insisted that Jews be Jews and Gentiles be Gentiles. On the other hand, he also insisted that salvation came only from God, not from the following or disobeying of Jewish laws. It’s almost as if Paul was holding to the juxtaposition of separation and unity at the same time. He offered salvation as a gift from God, and yet demanded that people remain true to who they were. Honesty, integrity, acceptance, and tolerance all came together to create an eclectic community of Jews, Gentiles, men, women, slave and free.
![1 Kings 17:1-16 [17-24], God’s Care for the Widow](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56b39b61ab48de92d991a40a/bf37035e-33d5-439f-a0d6-a68b02d0f1bc/24-11-03.jpg)
