URC Daily Devotion Tuesday 19th August Bonhoeffer 2

Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Reflection        

Whilst Bonhoeffer had a more positive view of the Old Testament than many Christians, he was absolutely convinced that Christ was not only central but also absolutely crucial to our understanding of God, and of what it means to live as God’s people. In his work for ‘Ethics’ he wrote, ‘In Jesus Christ the reality of God has entered into the reality of the world.’ To emphasise the importance of this statement he goes on to say, ‘The place where the questions about the reality of God and the reality of the world are answered at the same time is characterized solely by the name: Jesus Christ. God and the world are enclosed in this name. In Christ all thing exist (Colossians 1:17). From now on we cannot speak rightly of either God or the world without speaking of Jesus Christ.’

What does this way of understanding the relationship between God and the world mean for our daily living? For Bonhoeffer it means ‘participating in the reality of God and the world in Jesus Christ today, and doing so in such a way that I never experience the reality of God without the reality of the world, nor the reality of the world without the reality of God.’ That’s easier said than done, of course, but then most things are! Sometimes, not least when we are suffering in one way or another, the reality of the world can seem overwhelming. It is at such times that we need to remember the reality of God, and to be aware of the incarnate, crucified and risen Christ both as the one ‘in whom all things hold together’ and as the one who holds us together.

Prayer        

Gracious God, 
help us to know the reality 
of your presence and activity
in the reality of our daily living. 
When we feel overwhelmed, 
for whatever reason, 
remind us of the presence of Christ 
and empower us by your Spirit 
to live as his faithful followers day by day. 
May our discipleship help others 
to know you in their lives too. Amen.