SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah 5
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
You must restore their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and homes to them this very day. And repay the interest you charged when you lent them money, grain, new wine, and olive oil.” [Nehemiah 5:11]
A follower of Jesus has a deep sense of justice; they see the world from God’s perspective, that every person is a person of value and ought to be treated with respect and fairness.
When Nehemiah hears about the plight of the poor, and that is wealthy Jews that are perpetuating this injustice, he is furious and clearly rebukes them and challenges them to change.
Stop cheating the poor, stop taking advantage of the weak, give back what you have taken and help your people!
Notice also that Nehemiah leads the way, he is an example of humility and charity and justice; he does not claim his rights, but shares whatever he has with those in need.
He is an example of what all Jesus-followers should be!
John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.” Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?” He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.” “What should we do?” asked some soldiers. John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.” [Luke 3:11-14]
When people came to John the Baptist, his message to them was the same: stop stealing, stop cheating, start sharing, start blessing, be content and compassionate!
These words follow his rebuke, where he calls people the offspring of snakes for coming to be baptized, yet continuing in these unjust, cruel practices.
John does not fully understand yet Who Jesus us, but he knows what the Messiah stands for: justice, mercy, grace, compassion, respect, honour, integrity.
This is what the good news of the kingdom is – not just that we are forgiven and get to go to heaven – but that God is restoring His garden paradise, His creation kingdom, where everyone is respected and treated with fairness, having all that they need to live in the joy of God’s world.
As Jesus-followers, we are not just waiting for heaven; we are called to live a heavenly life!
We are called to stop the things that do not reflect God’s justice and mercy, and start the things that do.
We need to be the kind of people that give others a taste of what the heavenly kingdom will be like.
Like Nehemiah, we need to proclaim it, but also practice it.
God’s blessing is not on those who are religious, but on those who live the righteous life.
Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them. [John 13:17]
Remember, O my God, all that I have done for these people, and bless me for it. [Nehemiah 5:19]
PRAYER:
Lord, grant me a heart for people who experience hardship, inequity, injustice, poverty. Help me not only to long for things to be better, help me to live to make things better!
Help me not only to long for things to be better, help me to live to make things better! Such wisdom. Yes Lord, help me and our church to do this.
LightShine. SonShine. Salt/Light. These words come to my mind when I read this passage. As a kingdom worker, a worker in His vineyard, I need to be a living example, living His Word today. I pary that His kingdom may come, and in the meantime, I need to be an active servant working in that kingdom.
And so today, I must be His disciple, living His Way, doing His will and others will see that we are Christians by our love. Live righteousness. Live victorious. Live Christlikeness.
As a Christ follower, I must live in such a way that those around me can follow my example. My life must also exclaim – this is the way. Do as I do. Live 4 Jesus.
All that I am I owe to Thee,
Thy wisdom, Lord, has fashioned me;
I give my Maker thankful praise,
Whose wondrous works my soul amaze.
Ere into being I was brought,
Thine eye did see, and in Thy thought
My life in all its perfect plan
Was ordered ere my days began.
Thy thoughts, O God, how manifold,
More precious unto me than gold!
I muse on their infinity,
Awaking I am still with Thee.
The wicked Thou shalt surely slay,
From me let sinners turn away;
They speak against the Name divine,
I count God’s enemies as mine.
Search me, O God, my heart discern,
Try me, my inmost thought to learn;
And lead me, if in sin I stray,
To choose the everlasting way.