November 2024
The People Have Spoken
06 November 2024 @ 17:00
I am a firm believer in the separation of church and state— giving to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God‘s! (Not my idea but Jesus’) I know that many would disagree with me. This all brings to mind a story from the Bible and found in the book of Matthew. It goes, “Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor. Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” For HE KNEW IT WAS OUT OF SELF INTEREST THAT THEY HAD HANDED JESUS OVER TO HIM. (Emphasis mine) While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered. “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!”” (Matthew 27:11-22)
THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN AND THEY HAVE SAID ‘GIVE US BARRABBAS’!
In light of that, may those who claim to be true followers of Jesus be about his business of loving and caring for the downtrodden and the oppressed, for those who have been hurt, and those who will be hurt by the actions of others and for those who are naked and thirsty and hungry. As followers of Christ we are called to stand in that gap. For Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:40) It is our call to love and not hate and to rise above the division and point to the Jesus who also told us what would mark us as His followers saying, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)
WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS LOVE SWEET LOVE!
NO NOT JUST FOR SOME BUT FOR EVERYONE!
('What The World Needs Now' composed by Burt Bacharach)
THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN AND THEY HAVE SAID ‘GIVE US BARRABBAS’!
In light of that, may those who claim to be true followers of Jesus be about his business of loving and caring for the downtrodden and the oppressed, for those who have been hurt, and those who will be hurt by the actions of others and for those who are naked and thirsty and hungry. As followers of Christ we are called to stand in that gap. For Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:40) It is our call to love and not hate and to rise above the division and point to the Jesus who also told us what would mark us as His followers saying, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)
WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS LOVE SWEET LOVE!
NO NOT JUST FOR SOME BUT FOR EVERYONE!
('What The World Needs Now' composed by Burt Bacharach)