So that your reason for boasting may abound in Christ Jesus in me, through my coming to you again.
Philippians 1:26, LSB
When we think about all the heroes that we may meet in the faith, one of the things that is most important to remember is that they are there to represent our Lord and our Savior Jesus Christ, and the gospel that he has proclaimed through them. They are to uphold and lift up the scriptures so that many may know the truth. That was what Paul wanted the people in Philippi to remember. Sometimes we can not differentiate well the difference between our heroes in the faith and the humanity of who they are. The old adage goes, “Never meet your heroes.” I remember meeting some of the ministers that I had really liked to listen to, and sometimes it was quite a disappointment meeting them face to face, but that did not undermine the great message that they proclaimed. The humanity that is within us is sinful and broken, but in Christ Jesus, we are all lifted up and that is the central message which we are to stand upon that Christ Jesus abounds within us and within the words which we speak and in those words the prayer is that all are lifted up and find hope.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.