Continuing the Conversation
May 12, 2009
We need metaphors as we talk about and try to imagine our future and the consummation of our story. It’s like looking into a midst and describing what we see…none of us knows fully. Sunday we spent a little time with four metaphors Scripture gives us:
Seedtime/Harvest: The promise (especially when talking of Jesus as “first-fruit”) that there is more to come…
Citizenship: Living in colony and spreading the influence of our country rather than waiting to go back…
Birth Pangs: Bringing about/waiting for new creation may be painful and slow…
Marriage: God’s creation and God’s new creation one day wedding…made for each other as male and female…
How do these metaphors provoke your imagination?
Hey Jon,
Thought I’d clarify my comment from Sunday.
I’m thinking there may be more in this idea about Christ as the first fruits than just His imaging of our future state (though that is hardly insignificant). The first fruits, as I understand it, sustained the Levites. They didn’t have the same access to land as the rest and were thus dependent on the sacrifices and offerings of the other tribes for their livelihood. Though these were sacrifices and offerings to God, the Levites in particular enjoyed their consumption.
So the Levites were sustained by the sacrifices and offerings, the first fruit offering in particular, and, in turn, the Levites sustained the community socially and spiritually through their priestly functions.
Likewise Christ, as the first fruit, sustains the royal priesthood (us), who in turn are to sustain the health and life of the world.
Trevor – These are awesome insights and comments – I love how this adds to the conversation. Thanks for sharing.
When I was thinking of this metaphor for the sermon Sunday I was mainly thinking of how Paul uses it in 1 Corinthians 15 – in his discussion of the promise of a future resurrection, but like so many metaphors, it’s use and meaning is sooo rich and deep. I appreciate your help in provoking more of our imaginations with this insight…