Watchword for September 2017 – Luke 13 verse 30

Jesus said: “Indeed, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”
Dear congregation, dear friends!

This well-known word (it occurs in a couple of variations in the New Testa-ment) is to be our guide through the month of September 2017. September is going to be a month filled with a whole lot of extra events in our congrega-tion – foremost of course the Synod of our Cape Church. The “Synod” is in a sense the equivalent of the parliament for our church – the highest decision-making body of the church. It consists of delegates from all our congrega-tions or parishes and the active pastors – it is presided over by an elected presiding committee and meets every two years to determine how the church is to be “run” in worldly terms – but more importantly, what the spiritual direction and work of the church is to be. The word “synod” comes from the Greek “syn” meaning “together” and “hodos” meaning “way” or “road” – so in contrast to a parliament, a synod is a gathering where people deliberate and discern together which way they are going to go forward together for the best of the whole church – it is not a forum in which “group interests” or so-called “mandates” from individual congregations are to be “pushed” through against the others, who may want something else. It would be good if all decisions at Synod could be taken by consensus and one does not resort to majority rule – however, because we are humans, sinful one and all, this is not always the case. It is perhaps in this regard that the words of Jesus in the watchword for September are particularly relevant to us – as a warning and as a comfort – don’t think, if you’re first, that you will remain in that position – in God’s kingdom things can very quickly be reversed, especially if those that are first got there on their own steam (merit or strengths). Comfort? For those who find themselves last – outnumbered, out-voted and overpowered by the others, there will be “a great levelling”.
Of course the words in our watchword are not primarily about synods and decision-making bodies – they are about people and their relationship to God and God’s kingdom – it is in this regard that this word truly becomes irritat-ing for some and soothing for others. It is indeed meant to shake our convic-tion that we are “okay”, that we’re in God’s “good books”, because we believe the right things and have lived our lives well – and it is meant to rattle our feeble souls into listening carefully to the “Good News” that those that know that they are last, the least, the lost, the ones that don’t have a chance to get anywhere near the Holy God, are in fact the ones who will be first, closest, nearest to his caring, loving arms. May this be the overriding experience for each one of you in the months to come – may God’s grace enfold you, especially when you are last or lost. You are God’s first priority!
With Greetings in Christ to you all,
Pastor Felix Meylahn