To me, our scripture for today is that crossroads for Jesus. He knew what lied ahead and he knew that if he took that step there would be no turning back. He knew the weight of the world would be placed upon his shoulders and that, one day, people like you and me would look to him for guidance and comfort.
Jesus never said serving others would be easy. There will be let-downs and failures. The supremely valuable message of salvation in Jesus Christ has been entrusted by God to frail and fallible human beings like us.
Instead, If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. By doing this, you will pile burning coals of fire upon his head. Don't be defeated by evil, but defeat evil with good.
People watch how we Christians live our daily lives and from those observations they decide if they want to be one of us. Because we are Christians, because we have come to God in faith, we are free, but our Christian freedom doesn't mean anything goes.
Therefore, we recognize the right of individuals to dissent when acting under the constraint of conscience and, after having exhausted all legal recourse, to resist or disobey laws that they deem to be unjust or that are discriminately enforced.
As Wesleyans, we believe God has bound together all people, no matter how different, by creating each of us in God's image. As Christians and followers of Jesus Christ, we must be prepared to share the gospel of Jesus Christ at any time and in any place to all of God's children. Jesus crossed all barriers to share the gospel, and we who follow him, must do not less.
"My brothers and sisters, what good is it if people say they have faith but do nothing about it" (James 2: 14)
"This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed."
A baby coming into a world that was in turmoil. His country was occupied by a foreign military force with the citizens being taxed heavily to support this presence. The local authorities weren't doing anything to ease the daily burdens of life. Hunger, poverty and homelessness were rampant. To the have-nots all seemed hopeless with no relief in sight.
We are not the source of God's light; we merely reflect that light. Jesus is the true light; he helps us see our way to God and shows us how to walk along that way.