Becoming One of Us

One of the lectionary readings for the week comes from 1 Corinthians 9:16-23:

For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law) so that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.

In order to spread the gospel, Paul is willing to be a slave to all. He will be a Jew for the Jews, a person outside the law for those outside the law, and weak for those who are weak.

We talk in the church about "meeting people where they are." I think this is more than that. Paul is talking not just about meeting people where they are, but becoming one of them. Not just walking among them, but walking as one of them.

We have a worship service at our church called Common Grounds. The congregation is composed mainly of homeless or marginally homeless people. Reaching this population with the gospel means more than just inviting them in, it means sitting down with them and talking with them. Being a part of what is happening.

Jesus teaches us everything. He is the perfect example of not just walking among us, but becoming one of us.