God made promises to his people, and subsequently the world, starting all the way back in Genesis 3. These are promises of love made by a loving Father. Take note of what God declares in Jeremiah 33:14-16:
Jeremiah 33:14–16
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’ (ESV)
On our side of history, we see that Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of this and all of God’s promises. He was the righteous Branch, he executed justice and righteousness in the land, and is faithful to carry this to completion when he one day returns to make “all things new” (Rev. 21:5). Because of Jesus, we are freed from the enslavement of sin and death and called sons and daughters of God. Not only that, we are now free to live in God’s kingdom, executing the justice and righteousness he ushered in. This means we’re not only free from the entrapments of materialism, but we’re now called to use what we have to love God and love our neighbor. “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” Luke 3:11 (ESV)
From Advent Conspiracy: Making Christmas Meaningful Again by Rick McKinley, Chris Seay, and Greg Holder
“Over and over we see Jesus teaching that God is on the side of the impoverished, even when no one else is. Throughout the Gospels, he raises the status of those the world mistreats and marginalizes–people who are deemed hopeless and beyond help. Jesus is clear: he expects his followers to do the same.
There’s no way around it: Jesus calls us to love and care for the poor.”
A note on today’s activity
This is by no means the fulfillment of Jesus’ commandments to care for those in need, but an exercise meant to give our heart and mind space for God’s Spirit to lead and guide us to deep conviction and heart change. Pray not only for those people who experience hunger, but pray that God would soften your own heart to use what you’ve been given for his purposes.