Communion Before Community

And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.” But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” (Matthew 26:6-13)

 The Church is not a community organization, a cultural awareness club, a relief organization, or a group of activists doing good deeds. The true Church has no agenda but worship and obedience to God through Jesus Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Only a Church living in communion with Christ can rightly serve others in God's estimation. All our efforts to do good are woefully inadequate and a waste of grace, unless we are viably connected to the vine and led by the Holy Spirit moment-by-moment. He is the only true minister in the Church!

 

Our primary focus must always be communion with Jesus Christ. No one cares for the poor, lost, and unfortunate like He does — and He will equip and send us out to be a witness and a blessing, if we will wait on Him. Our Lord's approach is not emotional, political, economic, or social, but spiritual; and we are best prepared to help others when we are closest to Jesus and identified with His ways and means. 

 

Let us refuse the pre-occupation with serving people, their needs, and their interests. There is a proper time and venue for meeting those needs, but this is not the primary focus or mission of a Bible-believing church. We must trust God with the affairs of men, and keep our focus on Him! This is a difficult but essential point in our quest for spiritual maturity.

 

But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23)

 

Let's Pray - Dear Lord, please forgive us for seeking to serve men out of any goodness of our own. Jesus Christ and Him crucified is the only answer for men and their needs. May we preach no other message. Amen.