September 14, 2022 – James 2:1-5 — Preach Good News to the Poor – and Everyone Else Too!

September 14, 2022

“My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Have a seat here, please,” while to the one who is poor you say, “Stand there,” or, “Sit at my feet,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him?” James 2:1-5

“Some congregations are big; some small. Some use guitars; some use no music at all. Some are strict; some not so strict. Some do stuff in worship that would make you cringe. Yet we are all one Christian church. That’s what we mean when we say we believe in the “holy catholic church” in the Apostles’ Creed. We are one not because we are similar; we are one because we all belong to Jesus.” Laurie Hanson. The Funny Shape of Faith: Devotions for the Rest of Us (p. 105). Kindle Edition.

Just like people are not all the same – churches are not all the same. Some do a great job ministering to the poor and outcast – others serve their “insiders” better than “outsiders”. And yet Jesus calls us all to preach “good news to the poor” and “good news to the middle class” and “good news to the wealthy.” Unfortunately those who are poor are open to hearing about the blessings that G-d has to pour down on us, while the well-off may believe they are blessed and deserve what they have. The ears of the poor are open to accepting the “Word”, the good news of Jesus — just like the arms of the poor are open to accept the physical blessings that come their way.

Jesus says “You will always have the poor with you” (Matthew 26:11) — so let’s take the time to serve them out of our abundance.

Let us pray,

Lord of All, there are many people, many churches, and so many who need your words of grace. Guide us into a unity where all people fell welcome and loved. Amen.

Pastor Dave