Kingdom Building
October 7, 2019
Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7
These are the words of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining elders among the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But 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.
Even in exile the best thing for our group and every other group is to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Think about that. God’s wisdom of loving our neighbors, even if they are aliens to us or we are aliens to them in the long run is better for all. Living as normal a life as possible even in oppression is the right thing to do.
People of color know this reality. Young black men taught to open doors for ladies often end up watching white ladies clasp their purses tighter, perhaps move them to the opposite side of their bodies and tuck them closely under their arms when they enter that door being held for them.
I am not suggesting God is saying be docile, go along to get along. God is always the God of justice. What I am saying is we must never let the negative actions of others change who we are and perhaps our positive actions can change those who oppress through sharing the love of God. God is a God of community. Working for the rights of all protects our rights and provides for a much better world.
Prayer: God enable us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves all the times. 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.