Thus Sayeth The Lord...

I have never considered myself a prophet. However, recently as I have started to go back and read the eighth century prophets in more detail, I realize the message they had for the people of Israel and Judah is not that different from the one we need to hear today. I am especially drawn to this as we are now in the season of lent and we will soon celebrate and remember the resurrection of Jesus. But, what if Jesus were to come again today. Would we be prepared? Would Jesus be satisfied with us? I would have to answer both of the questions with a “NO”.

Why do I answer no to those questions? Well, it is mainly because we have more in common with those living in eighth century Judah and Israel than we think. While I could spend the next two years making those comparisons’s I want to share with you the one, which is most noticeable in our society today. One which has been present since the time of prophets like Amos and Isaiah. One which Jesus, being the faithful Jew that he was, taught about most often. As a matter of fact, it is even one of the Ten Commandments and we still do not get it. So with that, I want to put on my prophetic robe and speak what we need to hear.

“Thus sayeth the Lord. Remember the Sabbath and keep it Holy.” It is a simple prophecy, yet everywhere we look, we just do not get it. Kroger’s and Wal-Mart are full of people because those in there thought they could get all of their shopping done while everyone else was in church. Movie theaters and recreation centers are full of people who have been lured in by the Sunday specials that are advertised all throughout the week. Schools, who supposedly support family values, schedule extra-curricular activities on Sunday’s, pulling students away from both their biological and church families. And for others, they just don’t have the time, because they have work to get done.

No matter what the excuse we have for not remembering the Sabbath, we often forget that God is only asking us to give one day out of the week to Him. It is not asking a lot, as God also gave us six other days to accomplish what we need to do to prepare for the Sabbath. While God knows there are justifiable reasons not to be present on the Sabbath, God also knows a poor excuse.
As we prepare for the resurrection, won’t you please consider reaching out to those in our own flock and those who are not by inviting them to come out and remember the Sabbath and keep it Holy, with us here at First Christian Church.