Day 14 - Rubberneckers to a Train Wreck
Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 4:8-13
Focal Verses: For I think God has displayed us, the apostles, in last place, like men condemned to die: We have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to people. We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! ~ 1 Corinthians 4:9-10 (CSB)
You’ve seen it happen before. There’s a wreck on the highway and traffic slows to a crawl. And the slow-down isn’t just because of the crash itself. Local law enforcement and state troopers on scene have traffic control well in hand. But for every vehicle that drives by that crash, you have heads turned to look at the carnage. Curiosity of the macabre brings the flow of traffic to a near-screeching halt and you know without a doubt, you’re going to be late for your early morning meeting because of it.
But if you’re concerned about being late for that meeting, imagine how the medical examiner investigator feels as he slowly makes his way along the shoulder of the road—emergency lights flashing—while trying to get to the traffic fatality as swiftly and safely as possible. He knows nobody is getting out of the quagmire until he and his transport team arrives to remove the deceased. And yet, the rubberneckers are oblivious to anything other than their own curiosity. Or worse, their patience is getting the better of them and invariably a car will pull onto the shoulder just for a peek down the road to see what’s going on. That pull onto the shoulder further complicates matters for the death investigator because it slows their progress even further and could cause yet another traffic accident.
In today’s passage, Paul is experiencing something quite similar to this mess I’m describing within the lives of the Corinthian congregation. As mentioned earlier, the church in Corinth is experiencing a bit of a divide among people who follow Paul versus those who follow Apollos. They have become prideful based on who they side with. It’s not only drawing the looks of unbelievers in the city of Corinth, but it’s causing fellow believers to scoff at each other like some kind of circus act…or worse, like the gladiatorial games the Romans liked to host.
The whole thing has brought movement of the Christian faith to a screeching halt as everyone turns to look at the train wreck that’s happening within the local congregation. And Paul, in the sarcastic way only he can write, wants them to be put in their place. He is urging them to stop their petty bickering. Most of all, he is imploring them to humble themselves…to stop being prideful and keep their eyes fixed on the road ahead. On the road to the Kingdom. To Paul, that’s the only thing that matters. Not himself. Not Apollos. But Christ Jesus alone.
What about you? What’s got you distracted from the road ahead? What’s brought your spiritual growth to a screeching stop? What road hazards are you creating for those around you in their own walk with Christ (i.e. stumbling blocks)?
Father God, help us to focus all our attention on you and not be overcome by pride or distraction. Help us, Father, to avoid petty bickering in the Church and live a life that will be appealing to those who do not know you. Help us remember that it isn’t about a certain school of thought we might adhere to or politics or even what translation of the Bible we rely on over another. The only thing that matters is Your Son, Him Crucified and Resurrected, and ultimately Your eternal glory.