Jesus’ Ministry
January 22, 2019
Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, ‘This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.’ For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’ –Nehemiah 8:9-10
Our people are our most valuable resource. This fact dawned on me some time ago when I was listening to politicians and others talk about saving what they deemed our most valuable resources which in Oklahoma can be designated as oil and natural gas, wind, cattle, wheat, and so on but I never heard anyone recognize that our people are our most valuable resource and are ultimately responsible for reaping the potential of all these other resources.
It makes a difference. When something is valued it is protected and nourished toward the goal of productive investment of its potential. We do not treat people in that manner. We punish them for not working to our expectations, we punish them for getting sick, we punish them for crimes. We do not work to restore them to wholeness like we do oil and gas, wind, cattle, and wheat when problems arise that reduce their output. Why is that?
Nehemiah says something very interesting in the above scripture in the sentence Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared. He is saying nurture those who do not provide for their own needs. Surely some of the exiles returning to Jerusalem had given up and did not know how to start over. Is Nehemiah’s words a call to restore people to wholeness who have lost their way?
Malnourished children do not learn well. Sick people do not work well. People without quality routine health care seek emergency room help as a last resort raising the cost of health care for everyone. Removing people who commit non-violent crimes from society for years and mixing them with violent people with little if any services to reclaim their potential is a formula for increasing criminal behavior. Failure to address mental health issues fosters dependence rather than independence.
Early intervention to identify problems and appropriate quality education for every child is primary in helping children reach their full potential. Health care for all including mental health coverage provides for a ready and able work force. Restorative criminal justice holds people accountable for their behavior by refocusing them on how to make the most out of their skills and talents.
Prayer: Lord, show us ways we can restore wholeness to the broken people of our world. Amen.