All In This Together

Jeremiah 5:1-9
Living as we do in an age of divisiveness, perhaps it is helpful to be reminded by the prophet that sometimes we are more united than we realize, and that it isn’t always a good thing. “Then I said, ‘These are only the poor, they have no sense; for they do not know the way of the Lord, the law of their God. Let me go to the rich and speak to them; surely they know the way of the Lord, the law of their God.’ But they all alike had broken the yoke, they had burst the bonds” (Jeremiah 5:4-5). Sin is sin. Disregard for the Lord is a problem no matter where it happens or by whom it is perpetrated. Jeremiah surveyed the people of his day and found that no matter their place in the social spectrum, no matter their level of achievement, no matter how well-educated or politically connected they might be, they still fell short of God’s intentions. Interestingly, the fact that Jeremiah assumes that the poor might be less righteous based on their place in society is unusual in scripture where God continually shows great compassion for the oppressed and impoverished. Of course, the prophet quickly finds that there is no status in life where God’s will is followed consistently.

Finger pointing, it would seem, will get us nowhere. What we need is not more accusations against others, but a thorough self-examination to remind us that we, too, have fallen short of God’s will for our lives and that we, too, whoever we may be, whatever our station in life, must allow God to work in and through us to bring us to righteousness. As Paul reminds us in our epistle lesson today, “There is no one who is righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10). Driving in the car earlier today I experienced a modern interpretation of Paul’s words as I passed cars festooned with stickers in support of one cause or another. I applaud these folks for standing up for their beliefs, but I also hope that in their zeal for a particular cause they do not lose sight of the fact that they, too, need the mercy and forgiveness of God as found in Jesus Christ if they are to walk in paths of faithful obedience and true discipleship.

Perhaps with the realization that sin is a part of every life we may discover a sense of unity and fellowship with others. There is no one who is without sin. No one. And here, if nowhere else, we stand united. It isn’t much, but at least it’s something.

Prayer: Forgive us when we sin against you and against one another, and help us to recognize our need for the entire community of faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Now a Word From Our Sponsor

Zechariah 7:8-8:8

Just in time for Christmas, the prophet Zechariah has a not-so-subtle reminder of what our relationship to God is all about. "Thus says the Lord of hosts: Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another. But they refused to listen, and turned a stubborn shoulder, and stopped their ears in order not to hear. They made their hearts adamant in order not to hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by his spirit through the former prophets" (Zechariah 7:9-12a). If we hold these words alongside the words of John the Baptist we begin to see the issues that Jesus Christ was sent to address, the claims that God was making in the stable in Bethlehem.

Right now, and just for a moment, reflect on how our global culture treats the poor and the disenfranchised in our midst. Then take another moment to consider how the message of Christmas speaks to the least and the lonely, those longing for the truth. Are there things that we can do better? Are there people for whom we can show more compassion? I suspect that there are. If we have in any way stopped up our ears to God's word, or allowed the sounds of our culture to drown it out, then Advent is the time to start paying attention again.

Now back to your regular holiday activities.

Prayer: Lord God, help us to hear and respond to your voice and your voice alone, during Advent and throughout the year. In the name of the one whose return we await. Amen.

Get Up, Stand Up…In Faith

Isaiah 7:1-9

The late Bob Marley, a well-respected singer of politically charged reggae music, recorded the song “Get Up, Stand Up.”

Most people think,

Great god will come from the skies,

Take away everything

And make everybody feel high.

But if you know what life is worth,

You will look for yours on earth:

And now you see the light,

You stand up for your rights.

Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!

Get up, stand up: don't give up the fight!

Marley was affiliated with the Rastafari movement which began in his homeland of Jamaica among poor people of African descent. These people felt marginalized by the predominant culture. So, while borrowing heavily from the Hebrew and Christian scriptures, Rastifari beliefs emphasize an Afrocentrism, an end to racism, and the liberation of oppressed peoples everywhere. I believe it is these sincere beliefs that are reflected in Marley’s words.

And frankly, I’m not sure Isaiah would disagree entirely with Marley’s perspective. The poor and the oppressed are of particular concern to God, and should be—but too often are not—of particular concern to us as well. Yet Isaiah also reminds us that “If you do not stand firm in faith, you shall not stand at all” (Isaiah 7:9). The context for Isaiah’s comments was the threat posed to Judah by the armies of Aram and Israel. Isaiah assured the King of Judah that his nation was safe if it would stand firm in God. So it is not enough to “stand up for your rights,” one must stand on the proper foundation, the one that God alone offers.

Yes, that foundation can be misrepresented, can be abused by those posing as people of faith. The prophet frequently condemns such abuse as offensive to God. Ultimately it is God whose will is done and in whose light we must stand if we seek to change the world for the better. There is a struggle to be waged. There are concerns to be addressed. People of faith must constantly work for a better, fairer world, should stand up for the rights of others to live full, meaningful lives. But only God can show the direction those efforts must take, for it is only in God that we can truly stand firm.

Prayer: Lord, give us the strength and the determination we need to make the world a place of peace and love for all people according to your will. For it is in Jesus’ name that we pray. Amen.