What do you believe? Really, what do you believe deep down in the core of your being? What guides you in your everyday actions and behaviors, your interactions with others? Is it the cultural norms or the Word of God? Do you believe what Jesus says or the news you hear?
Those are tough questions to answer. They require a deep introspection. We must stop our incessant busyness and distractions to wrestle with them. Yet, each one of us should do so. We need to understand what our core beliefs are. When we do, we should allow them to guide us.
Why do I pose such challenging questions? Well, because Jesus did. He asked these questions in a much simpler way in today’s passage. But make no mistake about, those questions reside within the question He asked. In fact, the implied answer to the question is they did not believe Him. Those in the crowd were unwilling to follow His guidance. Not just the guidance He had given them in the short time He was with them, but the guidance God had given them over the centuries.
Are we any better? Have we set aside God’s guidance in favor of following whatever is popular? Do we still oppress people? Do we still shun people because of the way they dress? Do we look down our noses at the homeless and poor? Do feel sorry for the hungry child but give him/her nothing to eat?
God told the Israelites of old to not allow these things to happen. God has told us to rid ourselves of this behavior and actions. Yet, we see it in our cities and towns every day. Do we believe Him? Will we do what He says? Jesus is challenging each and every one of us. We have a choice to make. We can obey or discard. God will see our choice. Each one of them every day.
I pray we all believe what Jesus says. I pray we follow God’s guidance. I pray each one of us will choose to carry out the work that God has put before us. Believe Jesus. Believe God. Know what God has instructed. Follow his instructions. Make the right choice. Choose to follow Jesus.
Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”
Marty Pressey 