For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.

I Peter 2:8 – 10

The churches Paul was involved in bringing to life were in five regions of Asia Minor.  It must have been a very mixed group of believers because much of the ministry of Peter was to both Jews and Gentiles, and the formation of Christian fellowships that resulted.  The believers, no matter what their background, were urged to rise above tribal or national demands.  The believers to whom he wrote were suffering not only because of their faith in Jesus but because they loved all those in the fellowships, regardless of cultural obligations.  This inclusion presented for Christians huge challenges, for their native cultures gave high regard to racial and tribal belonging.

Peter obviously did not even consider breaking the church into cultural groups.  In a way the fact that Jesus was himself a Jew did not matter at all.  In addition, he is now in heaven walking with us. The Body of Jesus Christ is a demonstration of the radically new Christian communities.  It was a blend of cultures, so to speak, not one culture swallowing all.  This was all very radical.  Much of the New Testament was written reflecting this constant challenge, to follow Christ in fellowship, disregarding culture differences all bring and following Jesus together.

As I look across the world today I am stuck by the cultural influences that prevail.  My own little congregation located near Lancaster is basically white, mostly Germanic in background, middle class and comparatively wealthy.   We are really much alike!  Sometimes that blinds us to the fact that we are an important part of the great Body of Christ that exists in the world today.

So our Monday meditation pulls us into the heart of God where we all live and love.  May we be faithful.