With this Sunday I now come to the conclusion of my Lenten series of "Renewing Your Baptism." The theme for this Sunday is "Strive for Justice and Peace in All the Earth." Our baptism propels us to the place where we are to work for justice and peace not only locally, but worldwide. Can you imagine the responsibility that we have? Yes, I realize some of this work we can't do alone and perhaps must do it collectively as the church.
Do you see people being treated unfairly? Do you see folks who are oppressed? Do you see people who are being left our from our economic system? What can you do?
You could help by getting actively engaged with members of your community. You could help also be praying for justice to prevail in certain situations or intervening to be a peacemaker where there is conflict.
The prophet Jeremiah wrote a letter to God's people who had been taken captive and were in exile in Babylon. Jeremiah wrote: "Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." Jeremiah 29:7 The Hebrew word for 'welfare' is shalom, which we usually think of in terms of peace. We would see that the word 'peace' has a broader meaning than not being in a state of war; it encompasses all that is necessary for people to have security, long-life, and prosperity.
We must remember Jesus' concern for justice and peace. As Jesus entered the synagogue in Nazareth, he read from the prophet Isaiah, which had the words: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." Luke 4:18-19 Jesus came to bring good news to people and to set them free.
How might you be the hands and feet of Jesus around you? May you meditate on these words of Scripture and may your worship on this Sunday be a blessing to you!
Discipleship Questions for Reflection
How might you be an agent of Jesus for justice and peace in your local setting?
How might you seek to work for justice and peace worldwide?
Do you see people being treated unfairly? Do you see folks who are oppressed? Do you see people who are being left our from our economic system? What can you do?
You could help by getting actively engaged with members of your community. You could help also be praying for justice to prevail in certain situations or intervening to be a peacemaker where there is conflict.
The prophet Jeremiah wrote a letter to God's people who had been taken captive and were in exile in Babylon. Jeremiah wrote: "Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." Jeremiah 29:7 The Hebrew word for 'welfare' is shalom, which we usually think of in terms of peace. We would see that the word 'peace' has a broader meaning than not being in a state of war; it encompasses all that is necessary for people to have security, long-life, and prosperity.
We must remember Jesus' concern for justice and peace. As Jesus entered the synagogue in Nazareth, he read from the prophet Isaiah, which had the words: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." Luke 4:18-19 Jesus came to bring good news to people and to set them free.
How might you be the hands and feet of Jesus around you? May you meditate on these words of Scripture and may your worship on this Sunday be a blessing to you!
Discipleship Questions for Reflection
How might you be an agent of Jesus for justice and peace in your local setting?
How might you seek to work for justice and peace worldwide?
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