One of Jacob’s final appearances in Genesis. This is the final chapter of his life.

A man with a stick, walking with a limp (Gen 32.31). Yet the greatest king of his generation received a blessing (twice) from Jacob.

Jacob was truly a man of mixed history; inconsistent, a grasper, a deceiver – God had promised to be with him; and God had been with him. When appearing to Moses, God identified Himself as the God of Jacob (Ex 3.6). He is not ashamed to be identified with this man; see Heb 2.11. Hebrews 11 presents Jacob as a hero of faith.

Jacob was doubtless a man who was difficult to be around; he always caused conflict: in Rebekah’s womb, in Isaac’s home, in Laban’s home, in his own family. Even his sons did not get on! In Gen 45.24, when sending them to collect their father, Joseph told them not to argue!

This is no justification for us to emulate his behaviour! But the life of Jacob does show the breath of the grace of God.

The apostle Peter comments that the end of all things is near (1 Peter 4.7).

I have been a Christian for around 40 years. I claim no great maturity, but merely experience and observation. I hear some refer to an ‘end times Church.’ A google search will reveal many articles and books and sermons on this subject. Some claim that the end times Church has been hidden from the Church, implying that it is not revealed in the New Testament. Some would add that God is now revealing that mystery.

I disagree.

Whilst the Church has fallen short of its calling to a greater or lesser extent, the Bible is the sufficient revelation of what the Church should be and do in all ages. Of course, we may disagree on details, for example on the role of women, on how young a child may be baptised as a believer, etc. But the Bible remains our instruction manual.

So Peter, in declaring that the end of all things is upon us, describes what the Church should be and do in light of ‘the end.’ 1 Peter 4.7-11 reads:

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

My point is simple. Peter’s instructions match those of the apostles from the day of Pentecost. We are commanded to be alert, to be of sober mind, to love to show hospitality and to avoid grumbling. We are called to serve, in doing so to be faithful. Those who speak do so with authority. Paul’s words in Romans 12 cover the same ground.

So, it seems, the Lord’s commands to His Church remain.

“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.” (Eph 2.19)

The NT Church concerns community. Throughout the book of Acts and into the letters, the theme of Christians being part of a community is so strong.

My rule-of-thumb is that every use of ‘you’ in the Bible is plural, unless the context demands otherwise. This flies in the face of our western individualistic culture which is so damaging.

Two incidents in Matthew’s gospel illustrate this difference.

Whilst Jesus is walking on the water, Peter comes to him, sees the wind and begins to sink. As He reaches out to Peter, Jesus comments; ‘you of little faith.’ Clearly the context demands that this is a singular ‘you.’ Jesus addressed Peter. The other disciples were in the boat. (Matt 14.31).

In contrast, after Jesus had ‘offended’ the Pharisees, Jesus spoke to the Twelve privately, ‘are you still do dull!’ They had failed to understand His teaching. This use of ‘you’ was clearly plural. He was speaking to twelve. (Matt 15.16).

When Paul left Lystra (Acts 14), some from Antioch and Iconium stoned him and dragged him outside the city. We read (v 20) that the disciples gathered around him; whereupon he got up and was able to go on his way. Obviously, the disciples prayed; probably they laid their hands on him. But Luke simply records that the disciples gathered around him. It was this corporate strength that changed the situation for Paul. Community makes a difference!

Church is not simply a convenient way of being a Christian. It is the essential community of power, where we enjoy the promises and presence of God.