Watching The Chosen Season 3 Episode 3 last night was special in so many ways. It depicted Jesus going to His hometown of Nazareth where his own neighbors rejected His truth of who He was. It was painful for Jesus to see those He loved and knew since childhood reject Him. Mary, sister of Lazarus, heard what Jesus was trying to tell them in the synagogue, and her heart was awakened to the truth that here before her was her Messiah. You could see the truth of that love dawning upon her face. She heard. She responded. She didn’t turn away.

Now, in Numbers 5, Moses is summoning all Israel to hear the words of God: “I am the Lord your God”. The first time the people heard God’s voice – the voice out of the darkness, while the mountain was ablaze with fire, all the leaders of your tribes and your elders came to me. And you said, “The Lord our God has shown us his glory and his majesty, and we have heard his voice from the fire. Today we have seen that a person can live even if God speaks with them.” v. 23-24. Why then did they turn away and only want Moses to speak God’s words to them? Words of life and love and truth.

So Moses reiterated here in this Chapter the 10 Commandments of God. Laws that bring life and not death. How to love God and how to love our fellow man. God is our God. Honor Him and Him only; have no images that replace the true God; honor His name always; remember the day He made Holy; give honor to your parents; don’t murder; be faithful in marriage; don’t steal; don’t lie; don’t desire and take from others what is not yours. So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess. v. 32-33.

The neighbors depicted in The Chosen last night thought they were special because they descended from Abraham. Jesus reminded them of the people who were not descendants of Abraham and who knew their need and were faithful Luke 4:24-27.

Do we understand our need for God? When we hear do we listen? The Children of Israel at Mount Sinai didn’t want to hear God speak directly to them even though they knew they could listen and not die. Jesus’ neighbors and friends didn’t want to listen to the truth even though the Truth was standing before them speaking to them.

I can’t help but see the parallel. God has never lied to us. He speaks truth to us always. Do you want to hear? God loves you. God is love. His 10 Commandments show us how to love Him and others. Jesus came to show us how to put that love into practice. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. I Corinthians 13:4-8.

Lest we look down on the people at the foot of Mount Sinai or down on the people in the synagogue in Nazareth that day, what about us? Do we think we’re better than others because we believe in Jesus? Do we look down on others because of their sins and forget our own? I do. Every day. That’s why I keep going back to His words of love and healing and hope. That’s why I so need His work in me to renew me daily. I will never stop needing God to lead me to Him. I take His hand every day. He is the Lord my God and I need Him. I am so grateful for Him. In Him I know what love and mercy and forgiveness look like. Listen. Can you hear His still, small voice speaking to you? He’s here and speaking truth to your heart. When you hear….