Combo readings

Very interesting juxtaposition of Philippians 1:3-11 with Luke 3:1-6 this morning. There is a difference between "Paul" and "Jesus" and I can understand why some scholars have suggested that Jesus founded a movement and Paul founded Christianity. The useful thing about preaching the Revised Common Lectionary is that "Paul" and "Jesus" get to speak in stereo, as was the case this morning.

I found that Paul speaking through Philippians very much speaks to the individuals and to the church which together they make. He impresses on them God's commitment to continue the good work begun in each of them until completion on the day of Christ's return.

Jesus does not speak per se in Luke 3:1-6, but these verses are part of an introduction to Jesus' preaching ministry. A prequel to that preaching occurs in John's preaching ministry. The message is heard by individuals who flock to him but the message is also about the whole world and God's plan for it. Christianity is not reducible to Paul, nor for that matter to Jesus as we experience him through the four gospels. The whole message of Christianity, the gospel, is a message of change for both the world and for individuals. On balance, taking gospels and epistles together, the world is changed by God through changing individuals. Certainly Luke's Gospel paves the way for Paul's gospel preaching with its intense interest in a cast of individuals who seek salvation through Jesus.