Following a God who Kneels
Dear Mosaic Family,
In 2017, Rod Dreher, senior editor at The American Conservative, wrote a book entitled The Benedict Option, A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation. In the book, Dreher argues that because Christians have been decentered socially, culturally, politically, we can "no longer live business-as-usual lives in America." Because of the onslaught of cultural hostility and internal decay, Dreher calls for a "strategic withdrawal" of traditional Christians, who need to root themselves more deeply in the historic faith. He argues that "If believers don't come out of Babylon and be separate, sometimes metaphorically, sometimes literally, their faith will not survive for another generation or two in this culture of death." The way forward, according to Dreher, is the way "back" to St. Benedict of Nursia, the early medieval monk who retreated to the forest after Rome's fall.
While I agree with Dreher, that the church cannot reach a culture if we don't have a robust counterculture to offer, Jesus calls us to remain "in the world though not of it." Jesus isn't telling us to choose either faithfulness or influence. Jesus calls us to live in deep Gospel-centered-community with other Christians, as we, together, shine the light of the Gospel in the darkness around us.
Tomorrow, we'll study John 13, where we see the God of the Universe, literally kneel to wash the filthy crud off his disciples' feet. This is one of the most shocking and scandalous texts in all of Scripture.
Then Jesus says, "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet." At the end of that scene, Jesus says in John 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
We are called to love one another humbly, selflessly, practically, in such a way, that our tangible love serves as one of the most powerful apologetics for a watching world that desperately longs for the same love.
With love,
Pastor Jan
This Week's Announcements
Membership 101 Class
Sunday, September 22nd 1-3 p.m.
Want to learn more about what Mosaic Boston is all about? Come hear the story of Mosaic, why we are here, and how you can join the church through membership. Pizza lunch provided, please RSVP to admin@mosaicboston.com
Child Dedication Class
Sunday, October 6th 11:15 a.m.
We will be holding an application class for all who are interested in dedicating their child this fall. Please sign up to attend by contacting raquel@mosaicboston.com.
Songs for Sunday
If you would like to know what we'll be singing on Sunday, you can find the playlist here.