Click here to watch my video reflection on our text for today, or keep reading for my written reflections: 

Today’s reading is from Galatians 6: 11-18:

11 See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! 12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be circumcised—only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. 14 May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! 16 As for those who will follow this rule—peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.  17 From now on, let no one make trouble for me; for I carry the marks of Jesus branded on my body.  18 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

Today we’ll finish up our look at Galatians by reading Paul’s final words. First, notice the little note that he gives as he wraps it up, Paul comments on how large his letters are.  Paul typically would dictate his letters, someone else would be writing them.  At this point, much as we may sign a typed letter, Paul is signing this letter to the Galatians.  We see him comment about the size of his letters, this is another potential indication that Paul may be suffering eye troubles as we mentioned earlier, this may be his thorn in the flesh. 

Paul concludes with the message that he has been sharing repeatedly, it is not about us, or our righteousness, or keeping the law, or any of that.  It’s about Jesus.  Paul tells us, if he is going to boast about anything, it will be about the cross.  For through the cross he died to sin, through the cross he died to the world, through the cross he found life. 

In the grace of Jesus, in the cross of Jesus, we find our very life.  Nothing else matters but Jesus.  Nothing else matter.  Paul has put all things to death because it is in Jesus that he has found the life that desires.  

It’s only about Jesus.  That has been his message in this letter and that is his message in closing. It’s always, only about Jesus. If he is going to boast, it’s going to be about Jesus. 

May that be the same for us.  May we boast only in the cross of Jesus.  For only there do we find life.  

Join us tomorrow as we’ll begin our next book.  Tomorrow, we’ll look at Ephesians 1: 1-14.  

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