Sometimes when an opportunity presents itself, you take it though the timing may not be convenient. By the time you read today’s Musing, Jeffery and I will be somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean on our way to Greece to visit the ancient New Testament cities of Corinth and Athens.
This is the first you’re hearing about this? That’s ok. Brenda only found out a couple of weeks ago. Recently, I stumbled across a flash sale on Delta Airlines that offered nearly all of Europe for ridiculously low fares. How ridiculous? Like about $325 round trip from Minneapolis to Athens ridiculous. Jeffery and I both have PTO we should use before the end of the year, so we snatched up the tickets, and, well, I’ll show you the pictures when we return.
Athens
The capital city attracts visitors from all over the world to see its ruins, visit its museums, enjoy its breathtaking panorama, and taste its amazing foods. I’m sure we will experience much of that, but I am most looking forward to climbing the Acropolis, the high point of the city where the Apostle Paul debated with the philosophers and told them of their unknown god. Do you remember Luke’s account of Paul’s visit to Athens?
The city was burgeoning with idols, so many, in fact, Luke tells us Paul was angry about the vast number of Greek gods in complete dominance of the daily lives of the Athenians. Acts 17 records Paul’s daily activities on his only visit to Athens culminating in his powerful sermon on Mars Hill. When we stand where Paul stood, I intend to read his sermon aloud for Jeffery and me and anyone else standing close by to hear. It should be awesome!
Corinth
I wonder if there are any descendants in Corinth today whose ancestors were part of the first century church in the city. It’s possible, though I doubt anyone can say with certainty, that their grandparents were founding members of the church at Corinth. It’s fun to think about.
Paul planted the church around AD 50 (Acts 18) and wrote the letters to the church 3 years later. Paul’s letters to the church have been critical in keeping The Church headed in the right direction over the last 2000 years.
Most know that I think 1 Corinthians 15 is one of the greatest texts in all the New Testament if not the entire Bible. I don’t know where we’ll be when we read it together, but I get goosebumps thinking about reading it aloud in the place where it was first read. Do you recall what Paul wrote?
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”
The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
See you when we return.
As always, thanks for reading, and I welcome your feedback and any suggestions you might have for an upcoming Lunchtime Musing.