It seems healthy Christians instinctively understand there is a difference between Jesus calling sinners to repentance and many of our modern efforts to make a moral stand. We know on the surface that a display like the one pictured above gets a different response from sinners than the display described in our Scripture reading for today. Do we ask ourselves why?Remember the theme this week comes from Jesus' first temptation to turn stones to bread. The Satan turned Jesus' attention toward a shortcut for relieving his hunger: to make his own bread.
Some Christians have surrendered to the temptation to relieve their own hunger for righteousness by creating a mix-list of beliefs and behaviors that "God approves." Folks who agree with and live within the lines of their list are OK. Folks who do not are shunned. In fact, even other believers who emphasize different items on their lists are considered suspect. Sinners can easily identify the difference between a declaration that they do not conform to a list and a sincere invitation to fellowship.
The "action to do" for today's reading challenges us to do something kind for someone we don't like very much. Hopefully it will be a challenge just to think of someone you don't like very much. Prayerfully, you will find solidarity with Jesus by actually benefiting someone close to being your enemy. If you do.... we'd love to hear the story.
Tell us about your hopes & goals for 40 Days 'Till Easter.
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