A Humble Walk

Micah 5:2-5, 6:6-8 “A Humble Walk”

INTRODUCTION

The world of the people to whom the prophet Micah spoke was in shambles. Jerusalem was under siege. The rulers were self-serving and corrupt. They were forsaking the Lord and causing the people to seek other gods and worship idols. There was no safety, security and there was no place to hide.

Micah proclaims a message of hope. From a small, backwater town called, Bethlehem, a leader will arise. (The Christmas Carol, “O Little Town of Bethlehem should almost have been played during the reading of that scripture passage.) That leader will establish a kingdom of peace, justice and mercy. The kingdom that Micah prophesized is not some after life heaven. It is a kingdom of this world—for all people.

The people are not to sit idly by waiting for the leader and his kingdom to appear. Instead, Micah instructs the people to demonstrate the characteristics of the kingdom in their everyday lives and thus prepare for its coming.

DO JUSTICE

God’s kingdom was established by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. He called people to repent—to change their perspective on life—and live in the reality of God’s kingdom. We do this by first experiencing God’s justice and mercy in our lives and after that sharing this same justice and mercy with our neighbors.

There is justice in God’s kingdom, but it is different that the justice we imagine from a holy and righteous God. We expect justice to be wrongdoers punished and the righteous rewarded. Though these principles have been lifted up by the church and by the religious, they are not, however, the foundations of God’s kingdom.

In his life and ministry, Jesus both taught and demonstrated that all people have value. All people are children of God. Jesus touched the lepers and healed them. He associated with women and even welcomed them to be among his followers. Jesus broke down the artificial barriers created by religious leaders and reached out to include Gentiles and people who worshiped other gods. For Jesus there was no “us” and “them” there was only “we.”

Jesus’ death and resurrection was for all people. The writer of John’s gospel proclaims that, “God so loved the world that he gave his only son … God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:16-17).

I think each of us have experienced times in our lives when we have felt worthless. It is a transforming experience not only to read about how Jesus gave worth to individuals, but also to experience God’s affirmation and acceptance.

We have also all experienced those times when we have been excluded by our society, whether it be friends, high school cliques or inner office politics. The Holy Spirit steps into our lives to supersede our marginalization and include us. In the waters of our baptism God’s has declared that we are children of God—included in God’s family—and nothing can change that truth.

All around us are people both individuals and groups of people who need to hear and experience the kingdom of God in our words and actions.

LOVE MERCY

The writer of the book of Lamentations has penned the words, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases and God’s mercy never comes to an end” (Lamentations 3:22). Mercy and love are linked with God. God has declared God’s love for us and nothing will change God’s decision to love us. God’s love was most clearly shown in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. God also demonstrates God’s love for us by providing us with the food, clothing, shelter—our daily bread—all that we need. “All this,” Luther writes in his explanation to the third article of the Apostles’ Creed, “out of fatherly and divine goodness and mercy.

Even though we rebel against God, God loves us. Paul writes, in his letter to the Romans, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Experiencing God’s love and mercy are live changing experiences. Certainly we are not the same, because of our walk with God. In the same way, experiencing God’s love and mercy through us can be a life changing experience for others. Living in love with, rather than fear of, other individuals and groups can change our lives, their lives, our nation and our world.

Usually we experience God’s love and mercy in the small, simple things of life. We sense God’s love when in the words of absolution after our confession, in the hug from a friend, in a chance, brief conversation with a stranger. We communicate God’s love and mercy to others in a similar fashion. It may require us to step out of our comfort zone, but small steps can accomplish a great deal.