movement and actiion

We have been playing a game the last few weeks at school, to help us become better readers and writers.  We take different words and see if we can easily act them out.  The ones that we can get up and do are classified as action words: run, dance, sing, smell... You get the idea.  Sometimes it's a little tricky for things like think or worry cause we can't quite see the action.  Only when we do it we can definitely see the effects.  Action words involve movement, change, and life.

This morning,  I read the words of Isiah, quoted by Jesus during his first public words upon return to his hometown.

"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
       because the LORD has anointed me
       to preach good news to the poor.
       He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
       to proclaim freedom for the captives
       and release from darkness for the prisoners, 
  to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
       and the day of vengeance of our God,
       to comfort all who mourn,
  and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
       to bestow on them a crown of beauty
       instead of ashes,
       the oil of gladness
       instead of mourning,
       and a garment of praise
       instead of a spirit of despair.
       They will be called oaks of righteousness,
       a planting of the LORD
       for the display of his splendor."  Is 61:1-3

As Jesus is setting the stage and tone for what lies ahead, these are the words he chooses to recall.  This is why he came, and why we are to follow.  It's the action words that strike me.  PREACH good news to the poor, BIND up the brokenhearted, PROCLAIM freedom and comfort and PROVIDE true hope. 

These are verbs that scream undeniable ACTION, especially in the context they are presented.  This mission cannot be equated to feel good personal morality, or even humanitarian charity.  Jesus intended his church to be a place, a movement of action, not a noun, or even a group of people about the business of passive receiving.  When we receive,  it should  empower us to to give.

I have heard (several times over the last few days) comments like:  "Well, its best to leave the church out of that stuff."  Or "Adding faith to the equation doesn't pay"  Jesus' mission statement here talks of faith in the midst of messy lives and messed up situations.  That's the kind of church feels and moves with the heartbeat of God.