Lent
March 4, 2023
Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:13-20
‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled underfoot.
‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one, after lighting a lamp, puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Our actions do speak louder than words. We can be a light to the world as we strive to follow Christ’s edicts, but we can also turn people away when we do hate-filled actions in Jesus’s name. There is a lot of that going around today. The number of people identifying as Christians in the USA has dropped markedly in recent years. A Pew Research Center study shows that as of 2020, about 64% of Americans identify as Christian. Fifty years ago, that number was 90%. Why would someone want to identify as Christian, whose prime directive is to love God and one another, when treated as outcasts?
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. –John 13:34
Jesus alone was given the assignment of Judging people regarding his rule. Holier-than-thou attitudes turn people away from God.
The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, and he has given him authority to execute judgment because he is the Son of Man. –John 5:22,27
Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we mistreat the very people you have sent us to care about and for. 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.