4th Sunday after Epiphany
Scripture: Micah
6:1-8
Micah is one of the “Minor Prophets,” but his message is
anything but minor. He proclaimed God’s Law and Gospel to the people of Israel,
and indeed, to us. In this passage, Micah speaks God’s indictment against
idolatry and describes the life of faith. The passage causes us to examine our lives
for idols and to consider how to live rightly with God and others.
Teaching
Balak was the king of Moab who feared the Israelites and
Balaam was a prophet of sorts who he hired to curse Israel. [1]
God would not allow Balaam to curse his
people. However, Balaam advised Balak to tempt the Israelites with false gods
and pagan worship – which was highly sexual. Many Christians fall into the same
snare. We are drawn to false gods and earthly pleasures (including sex) in
contempt of God’s mercy and grace.
What God desires from his people’s lives is described in
Micah 6:6-8. Our relationship with God has never been about sacrifices or
offering, but is rooted in his salvation for us. We are called to do three
things in response to God’s saving acts. First, do justice. We are called to do
what is just and right in the sight of God. Second, to love kindness. This is
more than just being nice, it is loving that which is good, merciful, and full
of grace. Finally, to walk humbly with your God. This means that we live by
faith in the God who saves us.
Life
Just as Israel was reminded of the saving acts of the Lord,
we do well to remember them, too. God gave his only begotten Son to redeem the
world (John 3:16). He made him who had no sin to be sin so that, in him, we
might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor 5:21). Jesus suffered for sins
once for all the righteous for the unrighteous to bring you to God (1 Peter
3:18). How does knowing you live in God’s forgiveness because of Jesus’ death
and resurrection impact our desire to obey God’s will?
As a forgiven Child of God, how might you do justice? Who
are the vulnerable around you? The hurt? The overlooked? The victimized? How might
you love kindness? Who are the marginalized? Who are the sinners in need of
forgiveness? Who stands guilty and needs mercy? How might you walk humbly with
your God. How do you display faith? Is it by speaking out for justice? Acting
in kindness? Serving another? Forgiving someone? It might even be by receiving
God’s mercy, love, and forgiveness for your own sin.
Prayer
O God, we are your people because you had mercy on us and
performed a mighty saving act in Jesus’ death on the cross. In that moment
Jesus satisfied your justice by punishing sin in his body, showed kindness by bearing
our sin’s punishment for us, and humbled himself even to the point of dying for
us. Thank you for the salvation we have in Christ! Forgive us for not living
faithfully, doing justice, loving mercy, or walking humbly with you. Grant us
your Spirit so that we may walk with you by faith in Jesus. Make us agents of
your justice and mercy for our neighbors and help us to show them your
salvation in Christ. Amen.
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