Living in the Spirit

June 14, 2020

Scripture Reading: Matthew 9:35-10:8, (9-23)

‘See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. –Matthew 9:16-23

Now is a time to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. I have been asked a couple of times recently why I hate some politician or another so much. My answer is always the same, I do not hate them; I do disagree with almost every stance they take on governance. Our society is on the cusp of significant development, which requires changes, and people are afraid of change.

The Israelites before the exile were extremely comfortable in their ways of being even when they were not just or righteous. They did not want to rock the boat, help others at the cost of their privilege until they found themselves being marched into exile by other nations who took advantage of their complacency and greed.

God created the world within a plan that requires God’s people to take responsibility for the earth and all that is a part of it in a just and merciful manner. When that does not happen, our history indicates such societies fail.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for our failure to create a just and merciful world. Write on our hearts your vision for your children and guide us in its implementation.

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.