True Community

Dear Community of Saints in Christ Jesus at Gloria Dei:

          Community is vital, not only today but throughout all time. God did not create mankind to be alone, but has always His people together in community. When God created Adam, the first man, God did so fully knowing that it was not good for the man to be alone, and that He would create a companion for Adam. So God created the first woman, Eve, to be with Adam. God places mankind into a community. Community was created by God in Eden, and so community was obviously important to God. It is no different today. Loneliness and isolation were on the rise throughout the early years of the 2000’s, and then the COVID pandemic tragically  swept through the world, causing people to stay home and increase their separation from others.

          During this time, we have learned many things. One of the things that we have learned is that gathering with other people in person is the best way to build true relationships and to experience true community. Certainly, telephone calls, online meetings, and virtual gatherings are options that are available to us on account of the gift of technology, but they are nothing like being present in person with other human beings, no matter how helpful those options can sometimes be. There are times when we might have to utilize those technological options, and not gather in person, but that does not mean that in person gathering isn’t vital to us. We are still created by God to be actually together in community.

          This “in-person-ness” is part and parcel of how the true and living God has created us, and it is also part of how God has saved us. God did not send a message about our salvation. He did not give us instructions from a distance about being made right before Him. He did not ZOOM call us with advice or encouragement. No, God actually came to save us in Person. Jesus Christ is the Emmanuel (God Is With Us) in person, fully human and fully God, and He is truly in community with us in His Humanity and His Divinity. The One who took on flesh is the One who saves us from sin, death, and hell by becoming sin and bearing death and hell for us. He is with us, even as He is fully Man and has experienced all the common temptations of mankind. On the Cross, Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” and that cry of isolated loneliness echoes still throughout the cosmos reminding us that Jesus, the very Son of God, bore the sin of the world, so that the world might know communion again with God.

          The same Lord who was forsaken on the Cross is also the Lord who unites Himself with you in your Baptism. He has come, uniting Himself with you in His death and resurrection. This baptism is an “in-person” experience where Jesus is connected to you. The same is true of the Lord’s Supper, when you have Communion with God because He gives you His very Body to eat and His very Blood to drink. These bring the forgiveness of sins and union with your Creator.

          Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and the hearing of God’s Word are all “communal” acts. They cannot be done at a distance — at arm’s length. When you participate in them you are brought ever deeper into the community of the Holy Christian Church. Your Baptism saves you, but it also connects you with all your brothers and sisters in Christ through all space and time. The Lord’s Supper is not merely a time for Jesus to come and dwell with you, but in your reception of Jesus, you are also in communion with all of God’s Holy Church. Hearing His Word of forgiveness connects you all other forgiven sinners. These are all communal and participatory events. As you are connected with Jesus, you are in communion with His Church.

          In the midst of the cares and concerns that try to separate Christ’s Church, continue to live in this community where Jesus Christ is the Head and where your sins are forgiven and your faith is strengthened.

          In Christ’s Peace,

          Pastor Steven Anderson