I ended last week by talking about the real problem in society and the only true solution.
The real problem in society is not systemic racism or injustice, but sin in the hearts of individuals.
Unless you deal with the sin in the hearts of individuals, all the reform of the world’s systems will not make any substantial change.
And so our message needs to be the message Jesus gave.
The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.He has sent me
to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to set free the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (Luke 4:18-19)
Jesus then said,
Today as you listen, this Scripture has been fulfilled. (21)
What kind of good news was Jesus preaching?
What kind of release was he proclaiming? What kind of sight was he restoring? What kind of oppression was he dealing with? In what way was he proclaiming the Lord’s favor?
Was he talking about all the problems we see in society?
No. Jesus dealt with none of the societal problems of his day when it came to the oppression the Jews were facing from the Romans during his three-year ministry. Neither did the apostles after they took over his ministry.
Instead, he was talking about release for the spiritual prisoners, restoration of their spiritual sight (although he did restore physical sight too), and freedom from their spiritual oppression.
When he talked about God’s favor, he meant God showering down his grace upon us so that our sins may be forgiven and that we might receive new life, a life restored from the brokenness of sin.
That’s the message of hope we proclaim.
Am I saying then that we just let our society fall apart around us? That we don’t care when we see injustice around us?
No. Get involved in your community. Get involved in politics. At the very least, vote. Let your voice be heard.
But never forget your primary mission: to proclaim his gospel.
If any other message is exchanged for it, no matter how good the cause, we will eventually lose sight of our true mission.
What message are you proclaiming?
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 