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Judges is a hard and a bloody book. Lots of violence, lots of time when the Lord's people are killing others. It's often hard understand what is going on why these things are happening. I had a professor in seminary talk would talk about the Old Testament, particularly the bloody parts, in terms of obedience. We can get bogged down in the details of a culture that is not our own or bogged down in all the things that we don't really understand.
Or, we can think of these parts of the Old Testament in terms obedience. The Lord had commanded them to take the land and get rid of the oppressors and so they did. The point is not the war. The point is that they obeyed God when He commanded.
And that is a point that we can relate to today. He commanded us to love God and love our neighbor. He commanded us to serve one other. He commanded us to forgive. He command us to bring grace to others.
Today, just as they did in the Old Testament, let us obey.
New Testament Lesson
We see the Apostles preaching the good news of Jesus to all the people of Jerusalem and we see that because of that; great good is done. Lives where changed, people were healed, hearts were mended. So is it today. Today, we may or may not encounter someone who's body is broken. But, we will encounter someone today whose soul is broken; whose heart is broken. Today, through the grace of Christ, we help to mend those broken lives.… through a smile … a kind word … a hug …. through just loving others.
Today, may we be agents of healing the hurting.
Gospel Lesson
Many sermons have been preached on this passage. Many reflections written, many thoughts formed. But, today, simply remember that God loves you, and there is no length that He will not go to to show you how much you are loved. Today, you are loved, you forgiven, and you can live a life that is abundant and amazing. Today, you are loved.
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