What's with the flesh?

Recently I have been considering the question of the importance and purpose of flesh – that is these physical bodies which are so closely identified with our lives. I was reminded of this question in a book I had read recently, The Amber Spyglass. This is the third book of a trilogy by Philip Pullman. This trilogy has enjoyed recent popularity as a result of the motion picture The Golden Compass which is based off of the first book of this trilogy. It is beyond my scope to review this book or more broadly this trilogy. But there was one theme in the Amber Spyglass which intrigued me.
I will attempt to not give too much away for those of you who might wish to read this series. But there is a god-like character in this book who holds the title of vice-regent of heaven. What is so interesting about this character is his overwhelming desire for a fleshly body. In fact, we learn that this longing for a physical body is a dominant desire among these “spiritual” beings. The motivation for attaining a physical fleshy body is to experience the world at a deep level. This desire is to experience through sense – to feel, to touch, to experience passion. In this book this desire for flesh is a corrupting influence that leads to selfishness and corruption.
What was so interesting to me in relation to this story was how counter to the gospel this type of idea is. If the author was attempting to present a critique Christian religion – this is certainly not the Christian religion presented in the Bible. It is striking to remember what is taught regarding the incarnation – this event in which God took on flesh. This taking on a flesh is presented in the guise of humility and subjection.
In fact we get a drastically different picture of this grasping of flesh. This was not an individual who grasped at flesh as a means to experience the world in a new way – to attain to appeasing the senses of passions. But rather this grasping at flesh was one which led to trial and weakness.
Interestingly, this taking on of flesh required a giving, a not grasping, of something else. Ironically, the God-man who took on flesh had to release his grasp upon his God-rights. And instead of this flesh-taking leading to selfish corruption to appease desires – the God-man who took on flesh; took on suffering, shame and loss. In fact, rather than keeping hold of this new great flesh, he gave it up – he submitted it to tearing and breaking - a corruption of flesh – which was most tragic of all. It is an ironic comparison that we can picture here.
So what? What does this matter to us? Does it really make a difference at the end of the day? We should certainly agree most heartily with Pullman in speaking against a selfish grasping which leads to corruption. Is there any truth to the possible critique of your religion and your church? How many of us often practice this type of grasping at the flesh that our religion becomes an ugly corruption?
But we should not just stay there. Rather be reminded of a true view of the God-man who took on flesh - the one who did not grasp at what was his, but sacrificed all. This is the one who rather than grasping – gave away and submitted to shame, suffering, and separation. This is the one whose flesh faced corruption and loss. Only to receive it back once again, as a fore-taste of our future.
So what’s your deal with your flesh? Is your grasping leading to ugliness? Why are you grasping? What are you grasping? Could it be that the very thing you seek to hard to grasp onto is what will be graciously given?

Carried Away

Welcome to my blog! I have finally taken the plunge and submitted to the pressure of the blogging epidemic. I welcome myself to the ranks and look forward to quickly having more readers than my wife.

I have not completely decided how I will use this blog, what I will write on, and how often I will write. Mainly I think I will simply see how things go and fly by the seat of my pants.

For my first post though it seems reasonable to explain what is meant by my blogging title/name. I have taken this phrase "carried away" from John 21:18 which says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go." (Interpretive Note: I do realize that this passage is probably talking specifically about Peter, however, the rest of the Bible certainly teaches the points which I will make.)

The context of this verse is the interaction between Jesus and Peter after the Resurrection when Jesus restores Peter following his denial. Peter has been challenged to "love" Jesus as demonstrated by Peter's care for Christians. Finally, Jesus once again makes the call to Peter to "follow me."

I have been thinking a lot about this passage recently as it relates to my own call to become a pastor in the church. I have been convinced that this idea of being carried away where I will not want to go is a critical affirmation for any Christian. I have begun to think that this phrase would be a helpful motto to constantly be reminded of the call of the Christian. Namely, to follow the savior to the cross, both in a daily life of laying down our own desires; and ultimately, in our death as well. This life is not my own, and where it may lead may not be towards comfort. If I take the name of Christ, then I take the call to follow him where he would lead me.

What exactly does this mean? Yet to be determined ...

Philippians 3:7-12 "But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith - that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own."