Learning to do the right thing
Scripture
Isaiah 1:12-18: Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan; plead for the widow.
Luke 10: 25-36: He asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Meditation
According to Isaiah, God requires Judah not only to practice justice but to embrace the principle of always doing the right thing. God wants us not only to care for orphans and widows but to do what is right and good for them and anyone marginalized by society. The Hebrew word for good is yaw-tab’ and it means to be glad, joyful, pleasing, to do well, to make something beautiful.
A lawyer asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus’ response asks us to see beyond the divisions of religion, tribe and nationality to recognize our neighbor in need. Christians likewise must see beyond these divides and the divisions within the Christian family to recognize and love our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Prayer
Lord, you called your people from slavery into freedom,
Give us strength and courage to seek out those who are standing in need of justice.
Allow us to see this need and provide help, and through your Holy Spirit gather us into the one fold of Jesus Christ, our Shepherd. Amen.