Richard Mallory
Dear Friends of Christ,
In today’s epistle (Romans 5:12-21), Paul addresses sin that originated with the first human and it’s been down hill ever since. Newsfeeds announce mass shootings, genocide in Gaza, degradation of the planet, life taken much too soon by cancer, friendships upended over misunderstandings, children deprived of essential nutrients denied them by cruel and withholding governmental policies. Variations of these patterns continue from age to age. Paul lays blame to the first humans who allowed themselves to be seduced by a clever, slick and cunning snake who convinced them that God was not trustworthy and was running a con. The first couple fell for it and so has humanity ever since.
The Good News, says Paul, is that grace, mercy and forgiveness came pouring into the world through Jesus. There is an alternative out there to chaos, war, selfishness, plundering, dominating and cruelty. It’s the Jesus way with his dream for the world (Kingdom of God) which is God’s dream for the world. Paul knew from his innards whereof he spoke. He had once persecuted and prosecuted early followers of Jesus and was complicit in the murder of the first Christian martyr, Stephen. He had been a man possessed, possessed with conviction of his righteous violence against this dangerous upstart sect. He found grace and forgiveness and grace and forgiveness found him. That power has all the power that is needed to melt closed hearts, hurting hearts, cynical hearts, plotting hearts and cruel hearts.
In a gripping essay on this passage by Tara Beth Leach, “This Changes Everything: Romans 5:12-21,” Leach compares and contrasts “Adam solidarity” with “Jesus solidarity.”
Adam: willing to sacrifice others for my gain.
Jesus: driven to sacrifice oneself for the sake of another
Adam: driven to talk about God
Jesus: driven to talk to God
Adam: driven to harbor bitterness
Jesus: driven to grace and forgiveness
Adam: driven to divide and build barriers
Jesus: driven to be a bridge builder by bringing unity where there is division, and reconciliation where there are barriers
Adam: driven to usurp the role of God by seeking fame, honor and power
Jesus: driven to submit to the reign and rule of Jesus and see his radically countercultural kingdom released in the world.
Adam: driven to negativity and despair
Jesus: driven to hope
Adam: driven to bringing others down
Jesus: driven to lift others up and proclaim the life-changing power of Jesus
Ongoing life in the Spirit invites ongoing surrender to be in solidarity with Jesus.
Your fellow traveler,
—Richard
