Saturday 30 August 2025
Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. (v. 18)
Background
Today we continue reading Paul's letter to Ephesians. We cannot apply the first nine verses of today's passage (from Asia Minor in the first century AD) literally to our own radically different situation. The challenge for us is, however, the same in principle: how do we infuse all our relationships (with family, friends, neighbours and colleagues) with the spirit and love of Jesus? What behaviours must always be avoided if we are to remain authentic disciples?
In verses 10-17 the principal metaphor is a fully armed Roman soldier. This is surprising, perhaps distasteful to many modern readers. The paragraph is built on images of conflict and warfare, with the Christian pitted against mythological, spiritual enemies. Such language represents widespread ideas in first century Jewish culture, with roots in earlier Jewish writings (Isaiah 59:17) and outworkings in vivid apocalyptic speculations relating to the end of history. There are echoes of this throughout the New Testament.
We distance ourselves from all of this, but retain the notion that Christian discipleship is always a tough journey. We call on the Spirit of Jesus within us, full of healing and liberating grace, to help us throughout our lives to deal with all sorts of inner contradictions in our hearts and minds; to cope with personal crises; and to remain true to Christ (in word and action) in the face of many pressures and popular ridicule and criticism of all faith commitments.
Verses 18-20 invite us in our prayer and meditation always to hold close to our hearts the needs and struggles experienced by our fellow Christians, particularly Christian leaders who are called to comment on public issues.
To Ponder:
- How can you best engage in depth with the questions and challenges inherent in discipleship in the modern world, and with the increasingly marginal place of the Church in contemporary culture?
- Faithfulness, endurance, loyalty and courage: who and what best help you to nurture such virtues in your own life? And how can you help others to stay strong in the face of their struggles?
- What are the activities, disciplines and people that release in you creativity, confidence and joy in the Christian life?
Bible notes author: The Revd David Deeks
David is a Methodist supernumerary presbyter, living in Bristol.