On Palm Sunday, Jesus’ ministry moved into the limelight for many in Jerusalem that day. The traveling teacher who had impacted so many, was not center stage as crowds greeted him as many had gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. That day many in the crowd had a variety of expectations and hopes of what this traveling rabbi might mean for Jewish people going forward.
This week Sunday we’ll be looking at who Jesus calls as his disciples. Upon first reading this passage it’s easy for us to focus on the type of people Jesus calls to see if we measure up. However, it seems the invitation for us is to look at the person and character of the one who calls. Jesus is the one who calls and knowing him invites us to see ourselves from his perspective.
Now it’s our turn. Having heard several examples of faith embodied, having set a foundation of Christ’s example, now Paul closes with a blessing for us as we live our faith out in this world. He blesses us on the good days and bad, when things are going well, and when they are challenging. Since God is the one who empowers us, we can have hope of how the Spirit can walk with us through whatever life sends our way.
Phil 3 continues with more examples, now moving to the author of the book himself, Paul. Paul shares about his own life, including his own struggles, as a reminder that even for him, the author, this is not just a list of things. This is what his life’s passion and work is all about. Faith is not something that we consider or think about, it is something that we embody.