Friday 25 February 2022

Psalm 86:11-17

Background

There were many itinerant teachers and spiritual leaders around at the time of Jesus. People would be wooed by the spectacular and drawn to the interesting. Often the term ‘Lord’ would be used of such people as they were seen as having wisdom and leadership qualities to be reckoned with.

And it was into this theatre of life that Jesus was to be found offering godly truth and kingdom values.

Jesus knew the challenges that came from other points of view, and was clear that there was only one sure way in which the sincerity of a person could be proved – respected teacher or not – and that was by how they lived and what they put into practice.

It’s a worn-out adage, but it nevertheless contains truth – practise what you preach. There is no point in saying that we love a person and then do things that break their heart!

So as disciples of Jesus who dare to call him Lord, the challenge is to live out what we see in Christ. Then we trust we will be counted among those who have called Christ their Lord and are seen to have lived faithfully.

To Ponder:

• Think about how you use the title, ‘Lord’, and ask what difference it makes to you and to those who hear you use it.
• What does practising what you preach mean for you?

Listen
‘Lord you have my heart’

Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, may my words declare you and my acts reveal you. Amen.