December 10, 2023 "Be Merciful Now, Do Justice Now"

ReNew Ames Messages

J the B preparing the way. John's mission is to prepare people for the coming of Jesus. His message was all about repentance. To change your mind. Be open to the possibility that the way you perceive the world might not be the very best way. Turn around. Move in a different and better direction. Wake up and take corrective action. Problem is, we don't like change. We don't like to take responsibility. We'd rather blame others for the way we are and how the world is. So John talks tough. "Repent!" he says. "Turn around." The crowds apparently wanted to hear this message. Maybe deep down they knew they needed this message. So they ask, "What the hell are we supposed to do then?!" Then, John starts talking about the regular everyday stuff of life: money, possessions, cloaks, food, and pay. Part of his message seems to be - wake up, we will never experience the fullness of Jesus - the fullness of God and what the divine can do through us until we've surrendered everything we have back to God. So we ask different questions: What might God want me to do with what I have? My stuff? My money? My house? Etc. He also seems to be saying that those who are prepared to see Jesus automatically become aware of and sensitive to the needs of those around them. Lastly, when they ask what they should do, John doesn't get all radical on them. Doesn't tell them to leave their regular lives and go start a movement with him. Nope. He seems to be saying, "Go home." Go back to your family, your friends, your neighbors, your coworkers, your fellow classmates. We don't have to be weirdo spiritual professionals. Go home. Be generous now. Be merciful now. Do justice now. Right where you are. When we live life like this all of a sudden all of creation begins to pop with the presence of the divine - Emmanuel - God with us - right where we are. Speaker: Aaron Vis Scripture: Luke 3:1-18 http://bible.com/events/49182020