Wednesday 01 March 2023

Psalm 3:1-6

Background 

Jesus lived in a competitive world. It was something to boast about if you had more than your neighbour, whether that was more food, more children, more work or more recognition in society. The gospels show us how Jesus discouraged the disciples from thinking in this way – when James and John asked for the best seats in glory, the other disciples squabbled, but Jesus reminded them "Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant" (Mark 10:33-45).   

Paul also wants to reshape his hearers’ understanding of their world. He recognises that in the terms of a competitive society, they bring very few resources to the contest (v. 26). It’s clear from many sources that Christianity spread most quickly among the poorest. He goes on to remind them, however, that boasting reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of life. Nothing that humans might possess comes from their own resources. All creation flows from God through Jesus (John 1:1). It is nonsense to suppose that we have made anything for ourselves, for that is not in our nature – we work with what God has already given us.  

Boasting of our own achievements is a genuinely foolish thing to do. It shows that we do not understand where our skills, talents and possessions come from. Paul quotes Jeremiah to confirm his argument: "Let those who boast, boast in this: that they understand and know me, that I am the Lord" (Jeremiah 9:23-24). The hard-pressed Christians of Corinth need to learn a whole new value system, where they possess the one thing that matters. Through Jesus, they are in a relationship with God which brings them close to the source of all creation, and through Jesus they have received so much – they have become genuinely wise and righteous, holy and free (v. 30).  

 So, says Paul, stop trying to boast in your own achievements – not because they are insignificant compared to the success of others, but because nobody’s achievements are in any sense real. Boast in the world’s only reality: God our creator, revealed to us in Jesus Christ.  

To Ponder:

• What do Paul’s ideas have to say to a world of Instagram and TikTok, where online image matters so much to so many? 
• Recognising that our talents come from God is the best reason for putting them to good use. Think about whether there are talents you are not using to the full – perhaps because in our competitive society, you don’t have the confidence to do so.