Celebrating Jesus: Galatians 2:6-10

When we meet someone whose life is clearly being changed by Jesus, our focus should be celebrating the Jesus we see within.  Anytime we meet Jesus in another person, unity should be our focus.  Jesus should bring us together in fellowship.

Paul continues the story, giving the results of the meeting in Jerusalem.  Paul talks with Peter, James, and John about their respective ministries.  When Peter, James, and John have heard enough from Paul to realize he is focusing on ministering to the Gentiles, they give him the right hand of fellowship.  In other words, they welcome Paul and the Gentiles.

Reading through these words, it is easy to think the fulcrum of the agreement is based on Peter focusing on the Jews while Paul focused on the Gentiles.  It is easy to read these words and get the feeling like the agreement was made to keep their ministries from competing.

While there is some truth to the idea that Paul and Peter didn’t want to be in direct competition, this isn’t the reason Paul is given the hand of fellowship.  There is more to the agreement than a non-compete clause.

The crux of the agreement is Jesus.  Paul tells us that the one who worked through Peter in his ministry to the Jews also worked through Paul in his ministry to the Gentiles.  Jesus was changing lives through Peter among the Jews.  Putting people into relationship with Jesus was Peter’s focus.  When Peter, James, and John talk to Paul, they realize Jesus is the focus of Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles.  Jesus is changing lives through Paul among the Gentiles. 

Jesus is the great common denominator.  Jesus should be the focus.  Jesus is the one who evokes change in the lives of others.  Since Jesus is working through Paul, there is no reason to withhold the hand of fellowship.

This should continue to be our perspective.  If I meet someone who worships God in a different manner than I do, yet Jesus is alive in their life and changing the person to be more like Him, should I not welcome them?  If I meet with someone who was baptized differently than me, yet Jesus is alive in their life and changing the person to be more like Him, should I not welcome them?  If I meet someone who practices communion differently than me, yet Jesus is alive in their life and changing the person to be more like Him, should I not welcome them?

There are many ways to meet Jesus.  There are many ways to worship God.  There are many ways to draw close to Him and remember what He has done for us.  The common denominator, though, is Jesus.  It is Jesus – and the change His presence in our life evokes – that truly matters.  When we meet someone whose life is clearly being changed by Jesus, our focus should be celebrating the Jesus we see within.