THE STORY OF JESUS: Isaiah 1-3
“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed…” (Isaiah 1:17)
According to Isaiah, God is not very happy with His followers.
His old covenant followers were going through the motions of religion.
They offered plenty of sacrifices, and observed holy days.
They prayed and offered incense in the temple, but God was not impressed.
Jesus, like Isaiah, challenges the religious leaders of His day.
They too are very religious, but have missed God’s real concern.
Jesus shows us what God really cares about – justice, compassion.
Helping the hungry, thirsty, strangers, sick, imprisoned (Matthew 25:35-36).
As followers of Jesus, we also risk missing the point.
History shows how often we forget justice, mercy, grace, compassion.
This passage shows how bad this, and how it puts us outside of God’s grace.
God wants to treat us as white as snow, but we need to get out of the muck.
Is my faith more than religion, does it express deep love for God and people?
Are we just GOING to church, or are we BEING the church?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, too often we forget what following You is all about. Shake us up, wake us up, and help us get on board for Your purpose in the world.