Doing What is Right. Jeremiah 21-22; Matthew 11

May the mumbling commence!

Here in the United States we vehemently disagree about how to welcome immigrants to our country (or not).  Here in the United States we vehemently disagree about how to care for the poor and vulnerable.  Here in the United States we vehemently disagree on how much to fund education. 

These are telling signs of the deterioration and bankruptcy of our society.  Don’t believe me?  Read from Jeremiah chapter twenty-two:

Then the Lord said to me, "Go over and speak directly to the king of Judah. Say to him, 'Listen to this message from the Lord, you king of Judah, sitting on David's throne. Let your officials and your people listen, too.  This is what the Lord says: Be fair-minded and just. Do what is right! Help those who have been robbed; rescue them from their oppressors. Quit your evil deeds! Do not mistreat foreigners, orphans, and widows. Stop murdering the innocent!  If you obey me, there will always be a descendant of David sitting on the throne here in Jerusalem. The king will ride through the palace gates in chariots and on horses, with his parade of officials and subjects.  But if you refuse to pay attention to this warning, I swear by my own name, says the Lord, that this palace will become a pile of rubble.'" (Verses 1-5)

Do not mistreat foreigners.  How is this mess of immigration attitude in our country not mistreating people – vulnerable people, children? Let’s work together to welcome immigrants to our country.  Will they take over?  Will the make-up of our country be altered?  Absolutely!  Ask the Native American peoples.

Do not mistreat orphans.  How is the mess that is education funding not mistreating all children – orphans included?  Let’s work together so that children will have what they need to learn.  Let’s work together to give our educators the proper respect and dignity they deserve.

Do not mistreat widows.  We have a growing population of elderly people in this country.  How are we caring for these vulnerable people on fixed incomes?  Let’s work together to support our elderly population who supported us in our growing up years.  It’s an essential part of honoring mother and father.

We can learn a lot about a culture by how it cares for the most vulnerable in its midst – the children, the elderly, the foreigners.  I’m afraid here in the United States we are getting a failing grade.  We must do better as a nation or watch our nation crumble.  Let’s STOP ARGUING AND DO SOMETHING.  Compromise is NOT a four letter word.

Let’s care for the vulnerable in our midst.  That is doing right.  That is following the call of the Lord in our lives.  Caring for the vulnerable was the hallmark of Jesus’ work on earth.  Read from Matthew chapter eleven:

John the Baptist, who was now in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, "Are you really the Messiah we've been waiting for, or should we keep looking for someone else?" 

Jesus told them, "Go back to John and tell him about what you have heard and seen – the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.  And tell him: 'God blesses those who are not offended by me. '" (Verses 2-6)

We’ve got a lot of work to do… together.  Let’s get working.  Time’s a wasting.

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out