Today's Scripture Reflection
The Rev. BJ Buracker
When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
Leviticus 19:33-34

Most of us skip over the book of Leviticus, partly because it is filled with seemingly bizarre and arbitrary laws about sacrifices, food, and blood. Most of us don’t like laws to begin with – I mean, does anyone actually like being told how to live? Anyone? Anyone at all? Probably not.

Leviticus can be a difficult read, but there are some great gems in this book of the Bible. In Leviticus, we read about forgiveness and the Day of Atonement (chapter 16), the call to be holy as God is holy (19:2), plus the well-known command, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (19:18). That’s good stuff, even if it is law!

A key point: Israel’s laws weren’t arbitrary at all. The laws were based upon what God had already done for Israel. In other words, what God had done in the past should influence how they should live now.

In the case of the verses above – "you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt" – the Israelites are reminded that they had lived as enslaved foreigners in the land of Egypt for hundreds of years, and that God had heard their cries and delivered them. Because of God’s compassion and love for them, His people should not enslave the foreigners in their land. Instead, they should show compassion and love because that is how God had treated them.

Again, here's the point: What God had done for them in the past should influence how they should live now.

We see this throughout the Bible. Most famously when Jesus says, “Love others as I have loved you” (John 13:34). In other words, our love for others is based on His previous love for us.

Think of the amazing things that God has done for me, and for you!

  • God has forgiven me of my sins (1 John 1:9)

  • God loved me even while I was His enemy (Romans 5:10)

  • Jesus died for me (1 Corinthians 15:3)

  • Christ has gone to prepare a place for me in Heaven (John 14:2)

If I were to really take these to heart, I would be far more loving, patient, and forgiving. I’d be more like Jesus, and that would be life-changing!

Today, think about all that God has done for you and ask, “Knowing what God has already done for me, how should I live now?” I bet it will be life-changing for you too.

In Christ,
Fr. BJ
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"Let Us Pray"
Written by BJ Buracker
Most gracious Lord, you have done great and wondrous things for me and for all your people. You have blessed us with creation, answered our prayers, healed our bodies, and delivered us from the powers of sin and death. You have shown us steadfast love, grace, mercy, compassion, patience, and forgiveness, even though we have not earned your favor. Give us, we pray, your Holy Spirit that we remember and see your good and mighty works, learn from them, and become more and more like your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who willingly took on our flesh, became obedient to you, and suffered that we might have eternal life. It is in His most precious name we pray. Amen.
Something More to Chew On
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Some of the most profound insights and experiences of life come through prayer journaling. Prayer journaling is a way to dialogue with God daily, so that we can remember what and how God is speaking to us. Here are some key ways to do it.

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