Whiter Than Snow: Grace

Last week we ended by considering the testimony of Jesus, whose identity was rooted in Triune community and defined by the welfare of others. Paul explains the mind of Christ as “doing nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than ourselves.” (Philippians 2:3) For us, Paul calls us to look to the interests of others following Christ’s selfless example of sacrifice.

Jesus presents the path out of individualism and exclusion. We’re going to divide Jesus’ teaching into two categories: grace and sacrifice. His teaching on grace addresses our identity and concepts of self in relation to God and one another. His teaching on sacrifice addresses our stubborn boundaries of identity.

This Sunday we’ll consider his teaching on God’s purifying grace and how he addresses the grace-less Pharisees. The Pharisees are locked in their self-righteousness and boundaries of purity, believing they are serving God in their sacrifices. If they could build a perspective of self, centered on the grace of God, the pride fueling their exclusion would change to humility, and their disgust would change to embrace.

So join us Sunday to consider Jesus’ teaching on God’s purifying grace for mankind.