Micah 2:1-13
Luke 9:51-62
There is a conversation going on between these two passages, reaching back and forth across the centuries. If we listen in we can learn more about what it means to be the people of God. Micah speaks words of condemnation to his audience in an effort to lead these people to righteousness. Their response is to try and silence him. “’Do not preach’—thus they preach—‘one should not preach of such things; disgrace will not overtake us'" (Micah 2:6). "If someone were to go about uttering empty falsehoods, saying, ‘I will preach to you of wine and strong drink,’” Micah laments, “such a one would be the preacher for this people” (v.11). Jesus, speaking to the people of his own day, seems to address the prophet. “Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:60).
“But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Whatever else we may find important, or compelling, or desirable; no matter how resistant we are to the idea; no matter what people say about us, or think of us, or do to us; no matter how distracted we are, even by good things like work or family, Jesus tells us to “go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” It really is that simple. But in order to proclaim the word, we must first hear it and remain open to it. We must let it judge and correct our wrongs. We must let it affirm and celebrate our joys. We must let it form us into a community of faith and sustain us as individuals. Only then can we live in faithful obedience to God and share the message with others. The ministries of Micah and Jesus were separated by hundreds of years, but when we hear them “conversing,” sharing their common understanding, we find purpose and direction for our lives. Thanks be to God.
Prayer: Lord, open our hearts and minds to your word and lead us in your paths, that we may serve you faithfully all our days. Amen.
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