pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: kingship


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Believe

Reading: John 11 and 12

John 11:25 – “I am the resurrection and the life.”

Photo credit: Kyle Johnson

Lazarus is the focus of most of chapter 11. He falls ill and Mary and Martha send for Jesus. He stays where he is at. Only when Lazarus has died does Jesus head for Bethany. Many Jews come to mourn. As Jesus nears, Martha hears and goes out to meet him. She says as Mary will later say, “Lord, if you had been here…” They believe that Jesus could have healed their brother. While true, there is a greater plan at work. Jesus tells Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life.” To believe in Jesus leads to eternal life. We will all die in the physical sense as our body passes into death. After weeping with Mary and Martha, Jesus calls for the stone to be removed. This is a test of their faith. Do they believe that Jesus’ power can reach beyond the stone of death?

Jesus calls Lazarus out of the tomb. Many come to believe. But typical of the division in John, others go to the Pharisees with the news. They fear that a miracle like this will lead to a loss of control, which will lead the Romans to take action. The religious leaders know that Jesus would not play their game. So they decide that Jesus must die. Jesus withdraws to a secluded place for a time.

As the Passover nears, Jesus goes to Bethany. At a dinner at Lazarus’ house, Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume, preparing him for burial. A greedy Judas protests. The next day Jesus enters Jerusalem. A great crowd celebrates his humble entry. The Pharisees lament, “Look! The whole world is following him!” This kingship is different. Jesus speaks of a single seed falling and dying. Only then can it “bear much fruit.” Jesus reminds the people that he came to be light in darkness and that he came not to judge but to save.

Prayer: Lord God, help us to believe when we have not seen. The signs – we can read about them and trust that they happened. Your words is true. Lord, touch us and our lives with your presence and with your Spirit. May we feel the light and life within us, leading us to believe. May we walk daily with your Holy Spirit. Amen.


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Building Blocks

Reading: Luke 19

Luke 19:37 – “The whole throng of his disciples began rejoicing. They praised God with a loud voice.”

Photo credit: Markus Spiske

“Zacchaues intercepts Jesus” is how my Bible’s notes describe this first encounter in our reading. Jesus sees him in the tree and invites himself to Zacchaues’ house for dinner. Perhaps in response to the crowd’s grumbling, Zacchaues announces that he will give half his wealth to the poor and will repay four times over anyone he’s cheated. He’ll do this that very day. The notes suggest that Zacchaues is defending himself by presenting his customary practices of generosity.

This story is followed by one about faithful service. Two servants put the master’s wealth to good use. Instead of working hard, another hides what he was given to use. His wealth is taken and given to the one with much. Jesus continues on to Jerusalem.

Jesus enters the city on a colt, his disciples loudly rejoicing and praising Jesus and the peace that he offers. This parade is a counter display to Herod’s annual Passover parade, when he enters the city on a mighty warhorse with an entourage of soldiers. Jesus enters humbly, from the opposite direction, demonstrating the kingship and peace of God. The Pharisees worry about this challenge to Roman authority. Jesus responds that if the crowd were silent, “the stones would cry out.”

Jesus then laments that these stones will be torn apart. Because the Jews refuse his kingdom of peace, they will revolt, only to be completely crushed. Jesus weeps over this. He proceeds to the temple, where he chases out those turning a huge profit instead of meeting the people’s needs. The religious leaders seek a way to kill Jesus while the people are enthralled with his daily teaching in the temple. What a contrast in these two groups.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the examples today of generosity and hard work. Both are building blocks of your kingdom. Lead us to use the blessings you’ve given us to build well. Remind us daily of your peace as we build. Remind us daily of who we serve. Amen.


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An Extension

Readings: Psalms 108-112

‭Psalm 111:3 – “God’s deeds are majestic and glorious. God’s righteousness stands forever.”

Psalms 108 and 109 seek God’s presence in the struggles against enemies. Psalm 108 begins with praise to God. The psalmist’s “unwavering heart” will make music for all people, proclaiming God’s faithful love. The Psalm celebrates God choosing Gilead, Manasseh… and rejecting Moab, Edom… Yet the writer turns in verse 11, asking the familiar question: Where are you, God? The psalmist asks for God’s help because “human help is worthless.” Psalm 109 seeks God’s help too – just on a personal level. Verses 6-19 detail the “hateful words” spoken by the enemies. From a place of weakness the psalmist begs God to shame and disgrace his or her enemies.

Psalm 110 speaks of kingship. It invites God’s presence with the king, allowing the “mighty scepter” to reach far. The psalmist calls to mind God’s “solemn pledge” to establish the kings. The Psalm closes with a reminder that God’s justice will reign.

Psalms 111 and 112 are similar. They praise God’s work and the workings of a righteous life. There is a parallel here. In Psalm 111 the psalmist praises God’s works as magnificent, majestic, and glorious. God’s righteousness, mercy, and compassion are celebrated. God’s handiwork is honesty and justice. God brings redemption. It closes proverbially: “Fear of the Lord is where wisdom begins.” Psalm 112 echoes these traits of God. The people of God are to be an extension of God. We are to be righteous and generous, merciful and compassionate. In the end, then, we too will see our enemies’ defeat. Death and pain and oppression and struggle will be no more. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, your presence is what we need. Whether beset by enemies or praising your glorious reign, we need your presence. On the stormy days and on the days of joy and peace, be present to us, O God. Guide us to walk and live faithfully, shining your love onto and into the world. Amen.


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God Surrounds Us

Readings: Psalms 1-4

‭Psalms 4:1 – “Answer me when I cry out… Set me free from my troubles! Have mercy on me! Listen to my prayer!”

Today we begin the Psalms. These words of lament and praise have guided and given voice to faith and suffering for thousands of years. They invite us to walk this road too. Originally the Psalms were Israel’s song book. As do our hymns and praise songs today, the Psalms tell the history and the theology of the people of faith – both then and now.

Psalms 1 and 2 serve as an introduction to almost all that follows in Psalms 3-150. Psalm 1 focuses on living according to God’s instruction and Psalm 2 focuses on the kingship of God. Psalm 1 begins with a list of don’ts. If one wants to be truly happy (or blessed) then don’t do these things. We all have our own list. Instead, the psalmist invites us to recite God’s word day and night. In the original Hebrew the word we translate ‘recite’ would have meant literally mumbling or uttering God’s word under one’s breath all of the time.

Psalm 2 acknowledges that the world (i.e. – the wicked) takes its stand against God and against God’s anointed. The one called “son,” the one who shall reign over “all nations” – we read that as Jesus. The psalmist advises the world to worship this king “reverently” and with “trembling.” And again the theme: take refuge in God and be truly happy.

Psalms 3 and 4 are attributed to David. Both are about crying out to God. In Psalm 3 David is hard-pressed by Absalom’s rebellion and pursuit. While we might not be kings facing a coup, we deal with oppressors and others who want to do us harm. In many ways and in many situations we too can cry out, “Answer me when I cry out… Set me free from my troubles! Have mercy on me! Listen to my prayer!” And because God is ever faithful, figuratively and literally, we can “lie down and fall asleep in peace.” God surrounds us always. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, you do fill our hearts with joy. Your face does shine upon us. We do not need to fear because you save and you rescue. When we rant and rave like the world, draw us to the Lord our refuge. Be intimately acquainted with our ways, O Lord, as we strive to grow intimately acquainted with your ways. Amen.


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Preparations

Readings: 1st Chronicles 22:2-19, 1st Chronicles 23, 1st Chronicles 24, 1st Chronicles 25, 1st Chronicles 26, 1st Chronicles 27

1st Chronicles 22:12 – “May the LORD be sure to give you insight and understanding so that… you will observe the Instruction from the LORD your God.”

Today’s readings are all about David laying the groundwork for the building of the temple and for the transition to Solomon’s kingship. Chapter 22 is about building the temple. Chapters 23-27 are like the nuts and bolts, the details of how the temple and kingdom will operate under Solomon and future kings.

In chapter 22 David gathers all the supplies and workers needed to build the temple. He recognizes that Solomon is “young and inexperienced.” David shares God’s words with Solomon, naming him as the one to build the temple, as the one to rule Israel. Inviting God into this process, David says, “May the LORD be sure to give you insight and understanding so that… you will observe the Instruction from the LORD your God.” What a blessing. David then gathers Israel’s leaders and instructs them to dedicate themselves to God and to help build the temple.

Then the Levites are counted and assigned. Some will oversee the work on the temple while others will be gatekeepers, judges, or musicians. Some Levites are assigned to help the Aaronites in the temple’s daily operations. The Aaronites are divided by lot into 24 groups. They will take turns serving in the temple. Asaph’s family are the musicians. They too are divided by lots into 24 groups. The Korahites, Gershonites, and Izharites are the gatekeepers, treasurers, and judges, respectively. All cast lots to assign rotational duties.

Twelve military leaders are appointed. They each oversee a group of 24,000 who will each serve one month. Tribal leaders are named. Civil servants are named to oversee the important financial and agricultural affairs of Israel. Royal advisors are named.

David is quite thorough in organizing and ordering all things for his successor. What if we gave such attention to helping those who follow us at work, at home, in the organizations we’re part of?

Prayer: Lord God, David was very meticulous about preparing for his successor. You were certainly part of his plan. David’s love for you and for your people was evident in his actions. Self was the least of his concerns. Lord, help us to lead in these ways, especially in times of change and transition. Bless us with your Holy Spirit’s guidance. Amen.