Enemies of Christ

Texts: Philippians 3.17 – 4.1

Luke 13.31-35

Today’s readings invite us to wrestle with uncomfortable truths. Paul, that relentless apostle, writes to the Philippians, "Join together in following my example…for many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things." And then, in contrast, a clarion call: "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."   

Let us not shy away from the starkness of this language. "Enemies of the cross." It echoes, does it not, the chilling threat delivered to Jesus in Luke's gospel, "Get away from here, Herod wants to kill you." Herod, the puppet king, the embodiment of earthly power, fearful of a truth that threatened his fragile grasp on control. Herod, who sought to silence the voice of justice, the voice of love, the voice of God. We see then, the same desire to silence truth and love, in both readings.

But who are these "enemies of Christ" that Paul weeps over? Are they the Herods of our time: the tyrants and dictators? Yes, in part. But Paul's gaze is broader, more penetrating. He speaks of those whose "god is their stomach," (which is a challenge to me, very personally!) whose "glory is in their shame," whose "minds are set on earthly things." He speaks of those who prioritize material gain, power, and prestige over the radical love and self-sacrifice that Jesus embodied.

These "enemies of Christ" are not always those who openly reject Jesus. In fact, they very well might be those who claim to follow him, but whose actions betray their words. They might be those who use the language of faith to justify hatred, division, and exclusion. They might be those who cling to rigid doctrines and condemn those who dare to question, those who refuse to see the image of God in those who are different from them.

Think of the politicians who demonize immigrants, who build walls instead of bridges, who peddle fear and division for political gain. Think of the corporations that exploit workers and destroy the environment in the pursuit of profit. Think of the religious leaders who preach intolerance and condemn those who love differently, who live differently, who believe differently. These, friends, are the Herods and the "enemies of Christ" in our midst. (But let us also remember, that we do also see examples of politicians who champion justice, corporations that prioritize sustainability, and religious leaders who promote inclusivity.)

And how do we respond? Do we meet their hatred with hatred? Do we return their condemnation with condemnation? Paul, echoing the very heart of Jesus, calls us to a different path. He calls us to imitate Christ, to follow his example of love, compassion, and forgiveness. He calls us to remember that our citizenship is not in the kingdoms of this world, but in the kingdom of God, a kingdom where love reigns supreme.

Jesus, facing Herod's threat, wept over Jerusalem, lamenting, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing!" He wept not with anger, but with sorrow, with a deep and abiding love for those who rejected him. He saw their fear, their blindness, their self-destructive path, and his heart broke.   

We too must weep for those who are lost, for those who are blinded by power and greed, for those who are trapped in cycles of hatred and violence. We must weep, but we must also act. We must speak truth to power, challenge injustice, and stand in solidarity with the oppressed. We must be the hands and feet of Christ, extending love and compassion to all, even to those who seek to harm us.

Paul reminds us that we eagerly await a Saviour who will transform our lowly bodies into his glorious body. Notice this, though. It’s easy to read Paul’s words and to assume that he’s talking about a future heaven, in resurrected bodies. That’s the standard way that this verse is understood. But I want to offer a different take on Paul’s words. We can also read these words not as a promise of escape from the world, but a promise of transformation within the world. Some may interpret these verses as solely referring to a future resurrection. However, I believe that Paul's message also speaks to the transformative power of Christ in our present lives.

The life of a Christian is one of sacrifice, just as it was for Jesus. By offering our lowly, yes fat, unhealthy, maybe elderly, even sick bodies to the transforming work of Christ, we are promised that Christ will draw us into his body. We become caught up with others, in the work of Christ. Our individual acts of kindness, our struggles for justice, are not isolated events. They are woven together, creating a tapestry of love that transforms the world. We offer our weakness, and Christ transforms it into strength – by binding our feeble effort with the efforts of all the friends of Christ throughout the world. This, ultimately, is a resurrection promise. It is a promise that love will ultimately triumph over hate, that justice will prevail over injustice, that life will overcome death.

We are called to be agents of that transformation, to be living examples of the love of Christ in a world that desperately needs it. We are called to embody the radical inclusivity of Jesus, to welcome the stranger, to feed the hungry, to heal the sick, to comfort the broken hearted. We are called to be a community of love, a beacon of hope, a testament to the power of the gospel to transform lives and change the world.

So, let’s do it. Let’s follow Paul's exhortation. Let us join together in following the example of Christ, keeping our eyes on those who live as he did. We will not be afraid to challenge the "enemies of Christ" in our world and even in our community, but we will do so with love and compassion. We will remember that even they, like us, are children of God, worthy of redemption. We commit ourselves, however, to live as citizens of heaven, bringing the kingdom of God to earth, one act of love, one act of justice, one act of forgiveness at a time. Let us become the change we wish to see in the world, and in doing so, reflect the glorious image of Christ.