Some years ago I heard a well-known, gifted pastor state: “There’s nothing like the Church when the Church works well.” Then and now I fully concur: when we the Church relate and work well with one another, indeed nothing compares favorably. Admittedly, this statement is a sweeping generalization, and yet I do believe that it rings true.
As a very minor, almost insignificant example, yesterday I had opportunity to reconsider that ancient story regarding Jacob and the deceit of his Uncle Laban (cf. Genesis 29). You might recall that Jacob, fleeing the murderous threats of his brother Esau, who likewise had suffered Jacob’s treachery, sought refuge with his mother’s kin. Refuge Jacob found within Laban’s household, including the one who became the love of his life: Rachel.
Having virtually nothing with which to barter, Jacob agreed to labor for Laban for seven years, in order to gain Rachel’s hand; however, Laban had other designs, and so Leah, Laban’s older daughter, became Jacob’s first wife and thereafter Rachel became his second wife. The interpersonal dynamics of all these primary relationships could only result in a profoundly painful family life, and it did. Jacob’s family became a mess, utter and complete: one husband, four wives, twelve sons and a horrible, entangled web of deceit.
However, and this is what I heard yesterday in worship: Leah, the daughter shuffled into the wedding tent of an inebriated Jacob; Leah, the daughter who had “weak eyes”; Leah, the wife least loved by her husband; and Leah, whose name probably means “cow” (not a particularly winsome name in American culture), became the mother of Judah, through whom Messiah came to a desperate world. As Christ Jesus’ great ancestor, our sovereign Creator chose the one rejected and despised, Leah, not the one loved and cherished, Rachel.
For years (even decades) I have known and studied the Jacob story; but then one Sunday a dear pastor friend shares an insight I had never recognized: Leah the rejected became Leah the chosen. How true this insight is to the entire Biblical narrative: how comforting to many of us, who identify more with Leah than with Rachel. Moreover, for me this insight is the Church working well: one pastor encouraging another pastor; and once again I was energized to care for “the least of these” who are pastors in Malawi and Romania and soon Uganda. That they are chosen, I am certain; that they need encouragement, I am equally certain.
Hopefully,
Stan