EPIPHANY IV
January 29, 2023
“Humble, Blessed, and Chosen”
“He has told you O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of youbut to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8
“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven,”Matthew 5:11-12a
“God chose what is low and despised in the world, . . . so that no one might boast in the presence of God.” I Corinthians 28a, 29)
Have you ever needed an idea, an inspiration, or a little boost that would get your thought processes moving? You might have needed it as a student, facing a term paper or an essay test, or at work when you needed to write a report on an important project. Or you might be looking for a theme and/or inspiration for a devotional article. (!?)
Reading the lessons for this Sunday of Epiphany, I realized they were just what I needed. They incorporate three biblical messages that are meaningful and plain spoken. They offer messages to guide us in understanding what God wants us to do as his people in the world, to trust that we are loved and cared for by our Father in heaven, and to know that our values and standards are not those of the world.
As we read the Old Testament words of the prophet Micah, we find a running theme of judgment and hope. Early Jewish people often asked what God required of them — what behaviors and values were pleasing to God. At first glance it sounds so simple, but as we consider the implications, we realize there’s significantly more to this trinity of requirements. The Biblical definition of justice doesn’t concern itself with the legality of one’s behavior; rather, fairness and equality are what matters. Kindness is defined as merciful actions such as loyalty and integrity, and as we walk humbly with God, we are grateful to be in his presence as we are also mindful of God’s power and majesty.
The Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 5, includes an early teaching of Jesus, known as the Beatitudes. His listeners hear how many are blessed (also translated as happy) in a wide variety of circumstances. As you read the list, you don’t see anything about the wealthy, the powerful, the famous or the highly accomplished. Rather, the spiritually poor, those who mourn, the meek, even the persecuted, are raised up as those who will receive great reward. That’s what Jesus taught — that which the world considers important is of no importance in God’s eyes.
Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians is so strong and lively, and look how it connects with Micah and Matthew. I love verses 22, 23a, 25: “For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, . . . Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.” Paul goes on to advise the people to consider their own callings, as they were not wise, powerful or of noble birth, but they were chosen by God, assuring us all that through God’s power, we are made able do his will and his work throughout the world.
These messages are so empowering and inspiring, freeing us from the world’s so-called wisdom and strength and giving us, through Christ, the power and wisdom of God.
Assured and grateful,
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers