Kingdom Building

July 7, 2019

Scripture Reading: Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

The seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!’ He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’ –Luke:10-17-20

The seventy return from their quest invigorated. I am a news nut and noticed a few years ago that particularly the morning news can be depressing, all news actually. I do not want to start my day in a downward spiral, so I decided that watching the news before I did my morning devotions was a good idea. It certainly gave me plenty about which to pray. I also acknowledge that praying without action is rather empty. We can either pray to tell God what God needs to do or we can pray to ask God what God is calling us to do about all those problems in our world. We are not called to solve all problems; we are all called to do something.

I think the seventy returned invigorated because they had taken action regarding their circumstances as well as the circumstances of those around them. I am sure being under Roman rule was not a picnic. Having Jesus’ followers share with their neighbors that there is a better way and it is available immediately was an uplifting experience.

I sense that a lot of us are feeling that the world is out of our control and it may be. It is not out of God’s control and we have committed to the one who can make a difference and who indicates that God wants us to be a part of the solution.

So, what can we do? First practice what Jesus preached, love one another, all one anothers. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the sick, restore the prisoners, welcome the stranger. Surely you can identify some service you can do in your community in one or more of those categories. Is there a meals on wheels program that needs volunteers? Do you have a closet full of good clothes you no longer wear? Donate them to programs that distributes used clothing. You get the idea.

We are all called to do justice. Systemic changes in our economic systems can be changed to alleviate poverty which is the evil behind most of these instructions that Jesus challenged us to do. Is your larger faith group and our government working to end the horrors that are forcing people to leave their homelands? If not, are we actively engaged in supporting such actions and/or demanding that they take place? Are we demanding immediate action for our government to provide humane treatment for refugees? Are we supporting revising immigration laws based on our values rather than greed?

Prayer: Lord, invigorate us to greater service as we strive to build your Kingdom today. Amen

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.