Pastor Tom Johnson, February 3, 2013
Often called “the love chapter,” 1 Corinthians chapter 13 is the most requested passage of Scripture for weddings that I receive. Of course, these words are not just written for starry eyed newlyweds but for all people. In fact, Paul has the Christian community particularly in mind. In the previous chapter, Paul tirelessly emphasizes that we are all one Body of Christ. We are all united together—what happens to one of us happens to all of us. In the community of God’s people, there is no room for personal agenda. There is no need for Christian celebrities. The abilities and talents of one person should not be valued so much that we ignore the gifts of another. The eye should not say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head should not say to the feet, “We can go our separate ways.” If we operate that way, we will not have community. We have personality cults. If each person is not valued, we will have grade school politics—with some in the inner circle and the rest outside.
But Paul wants us to know “a more excellent way”—a better path—a more honorable way of living—a much healthier way to form Christian community. And that more excellent way is summed up in one word: “Love.”
“If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”
Paul invites us into an imaginary church—a spectacular place—where members don’t speak English or Spanish—but “Angel-ish”—the language of angels. Their words drip poetically and sweetly from their lips with great persuasion. This fantasy congregation has prophetic powers—with members who can give an answer to all our questions and read our minds. Every curiosity is satisfied. There is nothing hidden from the prophets’ penetrating eyes. This fantasy community has faith so strong they can change the landscape and geography of the earth. Their prayers move mountains into the sea—prayers that make us have to change our topography maps. This fantasy church is so bold and courageous in their faith that they surrender their bodies. They will throw themselves into the fire willingly. They will jump off cliffs and throw themselves on live grenades for their religion.
But this spectacular world of angelic language, prophetic powers, faith that can move mountains, and offering of selves to the fire is missing one thing: love. There is no genuine, authentic, unconditional love. The language that is supposed to sound angelic. But without love, it is just noise—like an unmusical and angry gorilla beating on cymbals. Without love, even our best poetic language is like nails scraping down a chalkboard in the ears of God and in the ears of a world in desperate need of authentic, genuine love. Prophetic powers may impress those looking for sensationalism and signs and wonders. But without love, reading minds and profound theological insights are worthless—especially for people who hunger for unconditional love. Faith that can move mountains may flatten the Rockies and rearrange the landscape on the Lakeshore. But without love, such faith cannot move the human heart one milimeter. Without love, Paul says “I am nothing.” What Paul is trying to say is, without love, we don’t amount to jack squat. Delivering my body to be burned, jumping off the top of the Willis Tower in the name of religion may be impressive stunts. But without love, it is a waste of human life. Paul says, “I gain nothing.” Your third degree burns are all for nothing.
“Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.”
Love is not a spectacle of linguistic, theological, pietistic prowess. Love has no selfish agenda. Love is not competitive. Love is not about me. Love is not about the self at all. Love, rather, is an open door into the reality of God’s grace. Love can be the stuttering Christian who speaks authentic forgiveness and hope. Love can be the tongue tied believer who may not have all the answers but genuine compassion. Love can be the stumbling, yet genuine, prayers of God’s people that pray for a broken, needy world. Love is the unsensational, unspectacular, plain, and ordinary lives of God’s people doing acts of love without any need for acclamation or applause. There is nothing phony about true love—nothing disingenuous—nothing self-promoting. Love is selfless…humble…positive…optimistic.
There is something better than sensational and spectacular religion—and that is the reality of God who loves this world—who gave his Son Jesus—who knew human and angelic languages but shared stories and wisdom in the everyday language of ordinary people. He knew the future and hearts of people but also knew our trials and temptations yet without sin. He never doubted or questioned his faith but he had the courage to express his anguish on the cross of feeling abandoned and forsaken by God. He is the mover of mountains and the Author of Creation and the greatest mountain he removed was the guilt and condemnation for all our sin. He handed his body over, not that he would boast in himself, but purchase a place for us in our eternal home.
There is something better than sensational and spectacular religion—and that is the reality of God who loves this world—who gave his Son Jesus—who knew human and angelic languages but shared stories and wisdom in the everyday language of ordinary people. He knew the future and hearts of people but also knew our trials and temptations yet without sin. He never doubted or questioned his faith but he had the courage to express his anguish on the cross of feeling abandoned and forsaken by God. He is the mover of mountains and the Author of Creation and the greatest mountain he removed was the guilt and condemnation for all our sin. He handed his body over, not that he would boast in himself, but purchase a place for us in our eternal home.
A noisy gong and two clanging cymbals, $1,200 dollars…explosives that can remove a mountainous obstruction, $15,000…a 30 minute counseling session with self-proclaimed prophet, $150…someone who truly listens, never judges, has genuine concern, and authentic, unconditional love…priceless.
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