Archive for February, 2010
February 28th, 2010
February 27th, 2010
monday – business as usual…
Picture it. The place – Jerusalem. The time – close to the turn of the millennium. The cultural and political climate is chaotic. The collapse of the world’s greatest social power is eminent; corruption and greed are everywhere. Various religious sects are in a power struggle for supremacy and the ripple effects are shaking the very foundations of the population’s belief systems. Into this scene comes a force such as the world has never known. A single man, riding on a donkey, who will change the course of human history.
Scripture tells us when he came into town, the first place he went was the Temple; a place he had visited often and knew well. Luke says he spent several days there at the age of twelve, listening to and asking questions of the teachers. Luke 2:41-52 Even as a boy, Jesus felt the pull of God on his life, telling his panic stricken mother, “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” I can only assume his visits to the temple were frequent during the silent years as he grew and matured to manhood. His family went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. Jesus would have gone along, and presumably spent a great deal more time listening to the teachers, sitting at their feet and learning the fine points of the law.
We have other recorded trips to the temple in Jerusalem during the three years Jesus worked and taught throughout the region known to us today as the Holy Land. But on this night, the night of his Triumphal Entry, he went straight to the Temple, looked around at everything and then went out to Bethany with the twelve. Mark 11:11
No one can presume to know the mind of Christ, but I think he must have experienced the nostalgia any man might feel when looking at a beloved place remembered from childhood mixed with the anguish brought about by twenty years of deterioration and not-for-the-better change. I’ve been there. Probably so have you. What ‘they’ say is true. “You can’t go home again.” And so Jesus went straight to his Father’s house, looked around at everything, and then took his closest brothers and went out to Bethany, probably to the home of his dear friend Lazarus. Mary and Martha would have prepared a meal and gone about the business of attending to their needs as was often the case when Jesus and his disciples were in the area.
On the following day (Monday by traditional calculations), as they were coming from Bethany he was hungry, and seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf he went to see if he could find anything on it. Mark 11:12-14, 20-25
Now right here is where we begin to see a glimmer of what’s going on in his soul!
When he came to the tree he found “nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.” And he cursed the fig tree! And his disciples heard it!
Think about it…his Father’s house has gone from a place of worship and prayer, where he was taught as a boy, to a street market filled with money changers and livestock dealers. The city he loves is in chaos…think New Orleans at Mardi Gras… and his closest friends and brothers don’t have a clue why he’s really here. Everything around him is business as usual, and business as usual is taking everyone further away from God’s plan for their lives by the second. And, consider this: Jesus knows – KNOWS – in less than 72 hours he is going to carry the sins, sickness, disease, heartbreak, worry…everything…for each and every one of them to God to set them free forever. He knows he must act as the one and only sacrificial Lamb acceptable to God for everyone crowding the streets, everyone selling livestock and changing money in the Temple courtyard, every Pharisee, every Sadducee, every Roman soldier, every man, woman and child he sees. And he sees thousands.
But there’s more…. Millions and millions more. There’s you, and me, and all our friends and family members. There’s every human being on planet earth – then and now. Jesus knows he is going to be accused, mocked, spit on, beaten, crucified…all for them. These clueless people, who think they know and understand him…but truly do not get it. At all.
Writing this, I am slammed hard up against the fact that I probably don’t really get it either! Do you?
I’ve been a follower of Christ for the past thirty plus years. I’ve seen miraculous things he has done. We have been healed, set free, guarded, protected, provided for and loved – every day of every year. I should get it!!! I thought I got it! But do I? Really?
I wonder if Jesus righteous anger was only over the condition of his Father’s house; only because of the robbers and thieves whose disrespect was totally apparent on that Monday morning so long ago. Or was some of his justifiable anger because he knew that two millennium later, we would still be taking his sacrifice for granted? The sermon we heard on Palm Sunday 2009 told us Jesus fury when he entered the Temple courtyard that morning turned him into ‘a one-man riot’ because of their lukewarm attitude toward the things of God. The pastor said, “The un-Godly behavior of the people revealed a side of Jesus that few had ever seen.” He also said, “There are people in religious positions today who could make him just as angry.” Am I one of those? Are you?
I’ve been a follower of Jesus Christ for the past thirty plus years. That’s much longer than some of you are old. But writing about Holy Week, I’ve seen something in the Scriptures I’ve never seen before. After Jesus tore, like a whirlwind, through the religious community selling their wares in the courtyard of the Church, demanding they acknowledge the true meaning of the purpose of the church…”It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations, but you have turned it into a den of robbers.’”…the blind and the lame, the weak and the sick, the broken and bruised (those with needs and issues in today’s vernacular) came to him there – in the church yard – and he healed them. Matthew 21:12-17, Mark 11:15-19, Luke 19:45-48
Now, for the first time, I’m thinking Jesus was about ‘business as usual’ on that last Monday morning of his life on earth, too. And since we are told he is the same, yesterday, today, and forever Hebrews 13:8 we can expect him to be furious about the excesses and stupidities in the religious community, just as many of us have been. But I think we can also expect him to clean out the church courtyard, send the pretenders running, and gather those with needs and issues, sickness and disease, the blind and the lame, the weak and broken to himself and heal them.
Here’s something else I noticed….Jesus didn’t ask the weak and broken in the crowd to “get it together’ before he healed them. He didn’t tell them they “should” do anything to make themselves worthy of his attention. He just gave them what they needed. That got their attention. Then they followed him.
I’m thinking, in today’s church courtyards there are entirely too many shoulds. Too many rules and regulations telling us what is going to be required before Jesus can do anything to help us out. That’s not the way it works! Not with Jesus. The real reason he ran the livestock dealers and money-changers out of the Temple courtyard was to clear the way for those in need to approach his Father unencumbered by the religious stupidity of the day.
Read the gospels with this idea in mind. Jesus was followed by huge crowds as he moved about in Judea and Palestine for almost three years. Nowhere do we see him saying, “You should do this, or do that, before I can help you out.” They were blind; they came to him and went away with their sight. They were deaf, came to him and went away hearing. They came to him hungry, and he fed them. They came to him broken in spirit, possessed by evil spirits; chronically ill…he healed them all! And he told them, “follow me.”
Now get this…Jesus knew where he was going! He knew that the great multitudes that followed him would be going up to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover just as he and his disciples planned to do. He knew what they were going to see, and hear. He knew he was doomed to a horrific death. And he knew his followers were going to watch it happen. Still he said, “Follow me.” Because he knew…at the end of the week that was to change the world, they could follow him eternally!
So…on that Monday before Passover, it was ‘business as usual’ for our Lord. IT still IS.
February 26th, 2010
toad ja so
Here is a screen capture from the Fox News web site that triggers the “toad ja so” reflex in me.
When Fox News and members of the medical community are willing to go so far out on a limb as to credit “the Big Man Upstairs” with healing powers, we’ve gained some credibility in a hostile and skeptical world.
I’ve been saying God is a concerned and healing God who sent his son to carry our sickness and bear our diseases for years. And, His willingness to heal goes far beyond those individuals diagnosed with clinical depression… Jesus said, “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.” Luke 7:22 NIV
Please take another look at the article above…in the first paragraph it comes right out and says, “notice their research showcasing “distinct brain differences” between believers and nonbelievers.”
So…my question is, as always, what do you believe? As for me and my house, we will believe the Word of God.
Jesus Heals the Sick
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him. Matthew 4:23-25
They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed. Mark 6:55-56
When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, "You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Christ. Luke 4:40-41
The Apostles Heal the Sick
If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Acts 4:9-10
As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed. Acts 5:15-16
When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. So there was great joy in that city. Acts 8:6-8
There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and for three days entertained us hospitably. His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. Acts 28:7-9
Jesus said believers will Heal the Sick…
And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. Mark 16:17-18
February 22nd, 2010
for lent…
Thursday morning, during our daily devotion time, we felt drawn to begin reading the Gospels again. This time three times through in the 40 days (not counting Sundays) leading up to Easter on April 4th.
D printed out the following devotion from his email to be read that morning, too. It seems worth recording here:
quote *
In the body of Christ, we want to do things for the Lord. We mean well and get involved before we really seek the Lord about it. Maybe we do it out of guilt or feel pressured by well-meaning friends. But for whatever reason, if it is not from a heart of passion, it is EMPTY! Personally, I don’t want to waste my time bobbing up and down like a bobble-head doll and going no where. I will just be doing the work of the Lord with no real purpose.
Everything we do must be done with a willing heart devoted to the Lord. Otherwise, it is empty. That is like a bobble-head doll. They have a spring inside, the head is bigger than the body, and they are hollow inside. They bob up and down, but don’t really get anywhere. Do you ever feel like you go through the motions, yet your heart is not in it at all? That is what it is like to be a bobble-head.
The thing to do when you feel this way is to stop and ask yourself some questions. Is this what the Lord wants from my life? Am I bobbing up and down taking up space? Perhaps what you are doing isn’t your calling or gifting.
If you teach, then don’t try to be an administrator. If you are a leader, get out there and lead with confidence. If you are a behind the scenes person, then do it with excellence. Step into the right position in the body of Christ, and the Lord will add gifts to your life. You may be multi-talented, but where is your passion?
For example, I can teach and sing. But I am totally willing to let those who feel called to usher or work with the children’s programs do their jobs. We each have our own areas of ministry.
We want to please the Lord, not man. Let’s not burn out doing everything that we are not called to do. We need to keep our heads on straight, and look to the Lord for our callings. Let us do the very best in the place He shows us, and run with a heart after God.
… no one is a bobble-head on purpose. Paul prayed that God would bless the Christians in Corinth, so they might abound in every good work. He expressed confidence that God would continue to enhance the good work begun in them.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV).
…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6 NIV).
Search your heart and see what your passion is, and then go after it. Use your gifts and talents, watch the Lord bless you. Surely, you will be content and there will be no more bobbing around. You will be moving forward — being all God has called you to be.
close quote
Looks to me as though the Lord is pointing us in a new direction, with some very specific instructions. Yesterday I penciled in a meeting with our new Pastor to talk about the things God may have in store for this season. We’ll see.
* copyright – Life with a Purpose
By Cathy Irvin CBN.com – Staff Writer
February 22nd, 2010
the arrival – it begins…
Any follower of Jesus Christ will tell you that Easter culminates the most significant week in the Christian calendar and perhaps in all of human history. Last year on Palm Sunday the sermon at our church traced the movements of Christ throughout the historic week preceding Resurrection Sunday. The sermon was thought provoking and extremely moving but, once my interest was peaked, it was simply not enough. So, I determined to embark on a personal study of the final week in the life of Christ. During this season of Lent I’ll be recording my findings and thoughts in my journal.
Matthew 20:17; Mark 10:32, Luke 18:31
In my estimation - the first thing to consider would be Christ’s mind-set as he approached Jerusalem and the Passover Feast. Matthew tells us he foretold his crucifixion and resurrection and began preparing his followers for what was to come as they traveled toward the city. Matt. 20:17-19 He took them aside and told them, “Look, this is what is going to happen to me when we reach the city.”
Apparently His followers took this news calmly enough, each putting their own agenda ahead of his. Mama Zebedee jumped right in to make certain that if there was going to be a change in the power structure her boys would be first in line to receive the best seats in the house. “You don’t know what you’re asking.” he told them. They really didn’t have a clue what was coming. The Living Bible says when he gathered them around him and told them what was to come, “they didn’t understand a thing he said. He seemed to be talking in riddles.” Luke 19:34-35
Jesus knew what was coming. He understood what would be required of him; knew and understood that there was no other way to accomplish his purpose except to be mocked and beaten and crucified. How could any man deliberately and willingly set out to go through such horror? Because he was all man and he had a goal? Because he was all God – and he had a goal! …and he will be raised on the third day.
Sometimes, in the natural or in the spiritual, the only way to get to the goal is to go through the hard part. Jesus knew, had always known, probably from childhood, the hard part was coming and yet he pressed on toward his goal; taking with him the followers and hangers-on who would play a pivotal roll in the completion of his project. Judas, Matthew, Peter and John to name a few. I seriously doubt his followers and hangers-on even came close to comprehending the enormity of what they were a part of. And I honestly believe most of us are the same; we go through the hard parts of our lives, pressing on toward our goals, without ever completely comprehending God’s long term goals.
So…with his mind set on the goal, Jesus traveled from Jericho to Jerusalem (a distance of approximately 47 kilometers, about nine and a half hours walking – according to Google maps). We aren’t told exactly how long this journey took. We are told as he went out of Jericho a crowd followed him, probably surrounding him and asking him for a touch or a word. Matthew 20:29-34 Matthew says he took pity on two blind men in the crowd and healed them. There were others healed, but many of those went unrecorded as the crowd was ‘a great multitude’. We do find the story of blind Bartimaeus in Mark’s gospel. Mark 10:46-52 And again in Luke 18:35-43.
I think it is safe to assume there were many healed as Jesus made his way toward Bethany, Bethphage and Jerusalem, because as John tells us in closing his gospel record. “Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book.” John 20:30 And, “But there are also many other things which Jesus did, were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” John 21:25
John mentions the rising tension among Jesus’ followers in Bethany ‘about six days before the Passover’, when Mary anointed his feet with expensive oil and Judas objected to her wasteful extravagance, suggesting the money could have been better spent on caring for the poor. John 12:1-8 Mark, places the account of James and John posturing to be honored with seats at Jesus’ right and left in glory immediately after his announcement that they were going to Jerusalem…where the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes and condemned to death. Mark 10:35-45.
All in all, I would guess everyone in Jesus’ company was jittery and on edge. I can imagine them bickering with each other, like a houseful of children getting ready for church, throughout most of the week prior to their arrival in the Holy city. Try to picture it. Jesus is a dead man walking, with a certainty of the suffering to come; his disciples were stumbling along with him because they had no where else to go, and the enemy was pressuring all of them, looking for a way to discredit the ministry and the man. I know with certainty, from experience, there are demonic forces specially assigned to bring strife, disturbance and, if possible, the ultimate humiliation to anyone with a specific goal assigned by God to fulfill His plans.
On the day of Jesus arrival in Jerusalem “a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that he was coming” John 12:12-19 “So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” John says some of the crowd who went to meet him, were in the same crowd present when he called Lazarus out of the tomb, and that was the reason they rushed to meet him again. They were hoping for another show of miraculous power, among other things. They were also looking for a king to free them from Roman oppression. Matthew tells us “most of the crowd spread their garments on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.” Matthew 21:8-9
When the crowd covered the road with branches and their own cloaks it was an act of royal homage, similar to our ‘red carpet’ treatment of celebrities today; in Jesus time this was an honor reserved for kings and emperors.
We are told he came riding on a colt, the foal of a donkey. The cultural and political significance of Jesus entering the city of God, riding on a donkey can be found in three points:
1) the donkey was traditionally a mount for kings and rulers in the ancient Near East. (Judges 1:4; 12:14; 25a 16:2) Jesus rode the donkey to make a public claim to be the king of his people.
2) the act of riding into Jerusalem near Passover invoked a central image of Messianic implication linked to Biblical texts (Gen 49:10, Isaiah 62:11, Zechariah 9:9) Jesus act told the Jewish world he was claiming to be the Messiah. And
3) rather than choosing a horse, associated in Old Testament times with war and human pride, the donkey may have been picked to send a message of peaceful humility. Jesus, in this interpretation, was making a statement regarding the nature of his kingship. (Ps. 20:6-9, 33:16-18, 147:10-11)
Personally, I find the idea that he comes riding on an unbroken colt, near to weaning, the most interesting fact. Do you have any idea what is required to ride an unbroken colt? And yet, the wild bucking bronco ride I would expect is simply not mentioned. He is God and has power and control over even a young male donkey!
Much as in our modern world, the arrival of Jesus prompted two dramatic reactions. Those who believed in him and followed his teachings were thrilled by his arrival and held an extravagant celebration in his honor. Those who opposed his teachings or doubted his kingship, or were threatened by his power and wisdom were angry, offended, agitated and prepared to go to great lengths to stop him, using any means they could.
And so it begins… the week that would change the world!
February 21st, 2010
don’t mess with God…
Psalm 34:18 NLT
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.Psalm 34:18 NKJV
The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
What I actually said, to Joshua’s younger – and very troubled – brother on Monday after the funeral was:
“…don’t screw with God. You can’t run from Him and you can’t hide. He knows were you are and what you’re doing every minute of every day. You talk about Jesus being in your life, and yet you continue to lie, cheat, steal and do the drugs that are destroying your life.
“Trust me, God loves you and wants what is best for you. But He won’t knock the drugs out of your hands. You’ll have to choose to leave them alone. And, if you won’t, there are consequences for your lousy choices. If you want your life turned around, away from the course you’re on today, you’re gonna have to start listening to Him and making better choices, or suffer the consequences.”
A couple of days later in our daily devotional reading God confirmed my admonition to this nineteen year old rebel, so desperately in need of some tough love, with these words:
quote *
God doesn’t force us to change our minds about our pride. But He does give us ample opportunity to re-evaluate our position. Jonah found himself in the belly of a great fish when God whispered in his ear, “Jonah, if you’ll do what I called you to do, I’ll program this fish to deposit you on the beach. Otherwise, this fish just had lunch! What’ll it be?”
Jonah screamed, “I’ll obey! I’ll obey! Forgive me for being so stubborn and full of pride.”
God said, “Good thinking, Jonah!”
Jonah waded to shore, slimy, smelly seaweed around his neck, bloodshot eyes, trembling with fear, his pride finally crushed, crying out to the Ninevites as God had commanded him, “Repent!”
Saul of Tarsus was knocked to the ground and struck blind on the road to Damascus. God whispered in his ear, “Saul, you can quit persecuting Me and theses new Christians, or you can stay blind. What’s your pleasure?”
Saul replied, “What do you want me to do? Just name it?”
And God said, “Attaboy, Saul!”
God plays hardball! When He spots pride in your life He goes after it the way a surgeon goes after cancer. He’ll put you flat on your back in a full body cast for a moment of reflection. He’ll take the possessions that are the basis of your mentality and scatter them to the four winds. He’ll make your bed like coals of fire in the night, You’ll never know rest until you make your peace with God.
Jesus picked up a little child and addressed His hardened adult audience: “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven…” Matthew 18
Millions of Americans, tormented legions flood through the doors of our churches every Sunday, proud, religious, un-teachable, cold, jaded, resentful, hurting and hateful – about as unlike a humble little child as can be. We are searching for happiness. But we can find it only when we allow the loving hand of God to break us and remake us into vessels that please Him. This is the first step toward true happiness….
Only when we are crushed and remolded in the hands of the Master Potter can we enter the Kingdom of God!
close quote
Yep…don’t screw with God! He plays hardball! Because He loves us, knows every hair of our heads, and understands what is best for us at all times. I saved “Baldo” today…this pretty much covers it.
*JHM.org – copyright
February 17th, 2010
why Ash Wednesday?
today read:
1 Peter
I don’t believe in coincidence…so, I don’t believe it was by coincidence, or accident, that our reading time today [on Ash Wednesday] was Peter’s letter offering a boost to the faith of suffering Christians scattered throughout the Roman Empire. This letter is a manual on how a Christian should live in the face of persecution, disintegrating relationships, discouragement and suffering. It is a letter of encouragement.
I do believe that every human being, Christian or not, is followed by the signs of what they believe. Mark 16:17 This quote, …”we become what we ponder on,” gleaned from Pastor’s message on Sunday seems to bear witness to my thinking. If I’m pondering depression, discouragement, disillusionment and so forth; I’m going to become depressed, discouraged, disillusioned and unhappy. Like I’m always telling my god-daughters, if mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.
From Peter I gleaned “think clearly and exercise self-control.” 1 Peter 1:13 NLT In other words, put out of my mind all that impedes its free progress in Christian growth: worry, fear, jealousy, hate, unforgiveness, impurity. These things prevent the Holy Spirit from using a believer’s mind in the most effective manner. The RSV translates c1,v13 “Therefore gird up your minds, be sober, set your hope fully upon the grace that is coming to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” To be sober is to be calm and collected in Spirit.
Back in October of 1985 (the date’s in the margin of my study Bible) the Holy Spirit expanded on His seven step plan for my walk in 1 Peter 1:13 – 2:5
1. Obey God.
2. Don’t slip back into your old ways of doing things.
3. Conduct yourself with reverent fear [in complete awe] of God.
4. Love one another intensely, with all your heart.
5. Get rid of ALL malicious behavior and deceit. Don’t just pretend to be good.
6. Feed on pure spiritual milk so you can grow into the fullness of Christ.
7. Come to Christ, to be built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Peter teaches us that Christ’s attitude was absolute forgiveness, gentleness, compassion, and complete self-control. Peter walked with Jesus…he should know. And he says in c4, v1 this is the attitude I am to arm myself with.
So? Why encouragement from Peter on Ash Wednesday?
Ash Wednesday, like the season of Lent, is never mentioned in Scripture and is not commanded by God. Christians are free to either observe or not observe it. It also should be obvious that the imposition of ashes, like similar external [RELIGIOUS] practices, are meaningless, even hypocritical, unless there is a corresponding inner repentance and change of behavior.
This is made clear in Isaiah 58:NLT when God says:
1 “Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast.
Shout aloud! Don’t be timid.
Tell my people Israel of their sins!
2 Yet they act so pious!
They come to the Temple every day
and seem delighted to learn all about me.
They act like a righteous nation
that would never abandon the laws of its God.
They ask me to take action on their behalf,
pretending they want to be near me.
3 ‘We have fasted before you!’ they say.
‘Why aren’t you impressed?
We have been very hard on ourselves,
and you don’t even notice it!’
“I will tell you why!” I respond.
“It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves.
Even while you fast,
you keep oppressing your workers.
4 What good is fasting
when you keep on fighting and quarreling?
This kind of fasting
will never get you anywhere with me.
5 You humble yourselves
by going through the motions of penance,
bowing your heads
like reeds bending in the wind.
You dress in burlap
and cover yourselves with ashes.
Is this what you call fasting?
Do you really think this will please the Lord?
6 “No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
and remove the chains that bind people.
7 Share your food with the hungry,
and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
At a guess, God told Peter to tell us pretty much what he said through the prophet Isaiah a few thousand years ago. And as we begin this season of contemplating our behavior and making the changes the Holy Spirit is telling us need to be made, it seems to be a perfect time to work on learning to walk with the attitude of Jesus.
Nope…not a coincidence at all.
