... for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. - 1 Corinthians 2:16

Today’s Scripture Reading (January 3, 2018): 1 Corinthians 2

As 2017 drew to a close, one of the pressing agenda items was the world's reaction to the United States decision to move its embassy from Tel Aviv, which currently serves as the capital of Israel, to Jerusalem, the traditional historical seat of the Israeli government. The U.S. decision quickly brought criticism and, just before Christmas, a vote at the United Nations overwhelmingly decided to censure the United States for its decision.

But there were a couple of interesting things about the proposed move of the U.S. embassy that tended to slide under the radar. First, while a decision to move the embassy may have been made, there was no expectation that the embassy would move soon. It would take years to find a piece of land on which to build the embassy and then design and build the symbol of American power. Such a move almost certainly will not happen during President Trump’s first term as President, and possibly not even during his second term, which would mean that the move would need a second President to sign off on it to make it happen. Second, a transition of the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem would seem to be a useless move unless other countries were to join with the United States. Essentially, removing the embassy from Tel Aviv excludes the United States from the center of political power in Israel. I understand that the idea is that someone had to go first, and Israel welcomes the American move, but without others following it is a useless gesture. This then is actually a test of American influence, and with everything going on politically in the United States, maybe not the wisest time to test that power.

But maybe the most surprising thing is that there is actually a general consensus and recognition that Jerusalem should be the capital of Israel. The world recognizes the role that Jerusalem has played in Israeli politics throughout history, beginning with King David’s decision to move the political power of Israel to the city of Jebus (now Jerusalem) 3000 years ago. The problem is that over the past 2000 years, the city has also become a center important to Islam, and just as West Jerusalem probably is the proper capital of Israel, East Jerusalem is probably the proper capital of the Palestinian Territories. And the belief has been that a decision over the fate of Jerusalem was always planned to be put in place at the end of a comprehensive Israeli-Palestinian Peace plan. Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, but other considerations and questions must be answered before that recognition can be made be made public.

Paul is essentially making this statement to the Corinthians. I know that there are things that make sense to you, but who of you can instruct God? Other considerations have to be entertained. We are ambassadors of a God who is concerned, not with just one group, but with the world. And so we endeavor to see the world as he sees it. We don’t want to raise barriers to peace, just because we think that something is right. Instead, we take the long path. We are about reconciliation because that was what was important to Jesus. We endeavor, with every fiber of our being, to have the same opinions as Christ. It is his purpose that is lived out in our lives. And sometimes we may not understand, but we trust that he knows the path – and in the end that he will accomplish what is right.     

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 3