Doing, Not Just Saying
Dan Kunz
John Kennedy is a U.S. Senator from Louisiana. He is a very quotable person. He is very conservative. He has an incredibly unique way of describing things and getting his point across, kind of a Will Rodgers of the 21st Century. John Kennedy has said on numerous occasions the following, “What you do is what you believe. Everything else is just conversation.” While he was talking about politics when he said it, that statement really applies to most areas of life, doesn’t it?
On this Easter weekend, it’s appropriate to look at Jesus, his life, and what he accomplished 2000 years ago.
Jesus said a lot of things over the course of his three years of ministry, but in his case, it wasn’t just conversation. These are the words of life! Just a few of his most beloved words include, John 14: 6 “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life…” John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches…” John 4:14 “But whoever drinks the water I will give him will never be thirsty again. Rather the water I will give him will become in him a spring of water, bubbling up to eternal life.” Luke 6:27 “But I say to you who are listening: Love you enemies. Do good to those who hate you.” Matthew 6:34 “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself.” Luke 11:9 “I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you.” John 18:36 “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight so that I would not be handed over to the Jews. But now my kingdom is not from here.” Mark 9:35 “If anyone wants to be first, he will be the last of all, and the servant of all.” John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. Just as I loved you, so you are to love one another.”
But Jesus didn’t just say things, he also did a lot of things over the course of his three years of ministry. Jesus preached and taught – right up to the very end. He healed the sick, raised the dead, suffered temptation but never sinned, calmed storms, fed thousands, wept over his dead friend and over the city of Jerusalem, ate with tax collectors and prostitutes, cleared the temple of those who cheated and robbed people of their opportunity to worship, suffered pain and abuse at the hands of his tormentors and enemies, was shunned by his Heavenly Father, and died on a cross – for you! If John Kennedy’s assumption is correct, Jesus actions showed what he believed; that living and dying for his wayward people was not just the best way, but the only way to love them for eternity.
You and I now have a challenge before us. Again, if John Kennedy’s proposition is accurate, we need to do what we believe. We need to share the Gospel with all we meet. We need to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned, and encourage the weak. We need to love our enemies, not just our friends. We need to follow the directive of Jesus - Matthew 5:16 “Let your light shine in people’s presence, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” If this is what we believe, this is what we will do - not because we have to, but because we want to. Not just at Easter time, but always!
Have a blessed Easter. He is risen!