Jesus was not a climate scientist or activist. He didn’t have to be. Neither was he a vegan or vegetarian.
Jesus didn’t need to wear labels for everyone around Him to know how much He loved creation. It was apparent in His everyday life.
Jesus was pro-life, but He didn’t carry posters, lobby for changes in the law, or protest outside of doctor’s offices.
Jesus was also pro-choice. He gave each person the freedom to decide for themselves. And He loved each of us regardless of our individual choices.
He wasn’t complicated. In fact, Jesus simplified the complicated network of laws down to two that matter most. Love God and each other. These two imperatives guided His decisions and undergirded His teachings, encouraging us to do the same.
We don’t need to guess what Jesus would do, given the circumstances we face each day. Instead, we can and should use His examples, words, and actions to illustrate what it means to love God and each other. And do likewise.
Welcome to our new series, Life. Over the next five weeks, we’ll look at perhaps the most pressing issue facing us collectively: How to respond to climate change. We begin our first episode one week before election day.
Millions have already cast their vote. Cyndi and I voted by mail as we have for each election since it became possible to do so. We both used Jesus’ two imperatives to guide us in selecting candidates within the realities of our two-party system.
We voted pro-life, choosing candidates who we believed to be most likely to face the challenges as leaders well-grounded in love for God and neighbor. In particular, we chose candidates who openly support changes in our laws and practices that protect and preserve our planet while allowing each of us the freedom to choose how we make decisions regarding our bodies. For us, this is what it means to be pro-life.
Moreover, the United States does not exist in isolation. The world looks to our country and leaders as examples of what it means to be a good neighbor. Our country was founded on the principles of personal freedoms that don’t infringe on the freedom of others to worship God as they choose and to enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
The writer of Luke shares a story that is among the most recognizable illustrations of what it means to be a good neighbor. He tells us that one day, Jesus was confronted by adversaries, hoping Jesus would say something controversial enough to condemn himself. A lawyer from the group asked Jesus a question that he calculatd would enrage a large group of people regardless of His answer. “What must I do to receive eternal life?
“What do the Scriptures say?” Jesus responded. “How do you interpret them?”
The lawyer answered brilliantly. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’”
“I agree,” replied Jesus.
But the lawyer wasn’t satisfied, Luke tells us. He shot back a follow-up question. “Who is my neighbor?”
Ah yes! Who qualifies as the target of the love I’m to show to others? This is important, isn’t it? Am I expected to show the same love towards the people of other tribes as I show towards my own? What about the people of Ukraine? What about people I don’t know? What about immigrants?
Jesus responded with a story choosing the main characters, persons in highly respected positions who are expected to set examples for others to follow. And one person from a different tribe altogether. In fact, the main character came from a group despised by His listeners.
The story started to sound like an insensitive joke you may have heard or told. There were three men: a Priest, a highly respected political figure, and a man you probably don’t want to meet on the street. But as the story continues, it’s clear just how serious Jesus is about the illustration He’s making.
Who will stop to check on the man lying in the ditch? Who sees this man as a neighbor?
The Priest and politician walk on by, crossing to the other side of the street to avoid eye contact. Perhaps the injured man won’t see them. And if they’re seen, the observer may conclude they didn’t notice a person in distress. After all, they live busy and important lives.
The third man is a Samaritan. Jesus is Jewish. So is the man who asked Him the questions, as are the vast majority, if not all, of those listening, had a long-standing feud with Samaritans. But guess who stops?
Not only that, the Samaritan goes the extra mile. Which, by the way, is a phrase from another time when Jesus gave to illustrate what it means to love others. The Samaritan tends to the injured man and takes him to a safe place to mend.
Which one of these three acted like a neighbor toward the man attacked by the robbers?
Luke 10:36
“Which one of these men was a neighbor to the man in need,” Jesus asks. The answer is obvious. The one who didn’t ignore the plight of a stranger in need.
“Go and do likewise,” Jesus says. And so we should.
Our planet is in trouble after centuries of neglect and abuse. This puts us and our neighbors in jeopardy. Millions are already suffering the effects of climate change. Mostly, those who are unable to get out of whatever ditch climate change has forced them into.
Vote, not just with your allegiance to a person. Vote, not just for yourself, but vote with your neighbors and future generations in mind. Vote with your obedience to a God who loves creation enough to live among us. Let’s not go back to the past. Instead, let us work together to protect the planet that God put under our care.
You can join us each Sunday in person or online by clicking the button on our website’s homepage –Click here to watch. This button takes you to our YouTube channel. You can find more information about us on our website at FlintAsburyChurch.org.
A reminder that we publish this newsletter that we call the Circuit Rider each week. You can request this publication by email. Send a request to FlintAsburyUMC@gmail.com or let us know when you send a message through our website. We post an archive of past editions on our website under the tab Connect – choose Newsletters.
Pastor Tommy
Parts of our series are inspired by Kyle Meyaard-Schaap. Following Jesus in a Warming World: A Christian Call to Climate Action. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2023.