2 Corinthians is the place where we see most clearly how leadership in the church is to be patterned after the cross. God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself. And now God makes his appeal to you through us – as the pattern of Christian ministry is demonstrated from Christ to us to you.
This is not the pattern of the Levitical priesthood. The Levitical priesthood entered the holy places instead of you. Think back to chapter 3 – where Paul contrasts the Mosaic covenant with the new covenant in Christ. Because of the work of the Holy Spirit, “we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (3:18)
The pattern of Christian ministry is found in the cross of Jesus. Jesus suffered and passed through affliction to glory. Therefore we – the ministers of a new covenant – “are afflicted in every way, but not crushed… always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.” (4:10) And as your pastors and elders and deacons model this, that same pattern is to characterize your life as well.
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