Week of 7 Pentecost - Odd
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Podcast Download: Week of 7 Pentecost - Odd
Sunday 7 Pentecost - Odd
First Posted 07/02/05;
Podcast: Sunday 7 Pentecost - Odd
1 Samuel 10:1-16 - A New Man; a Changed Heart;
Romans 4:13-25 - True Descendants of Abraham;
Matthew 21:23-32 - Jesus’ Authority;
1 Samuel Paraphrase:
Saul had been seeking his father’s donkeys which had gone astray, and his servant suggested that he contact Samuel, the prophet. Before Saul returned home Samuel anointed him with olive oil and told Saul that God had anointed him to be prince over Israel (1 Samuel 9:1-10:1). Saul had been chosen by God to be a savior of his people from their enemies surrounding them.
Samuel told Saul, as a sign of the truth of this prophecy, that on his journey to return home Saul would meet two men at Rachael’s tomb at Zelzah (north of Jerusalem). The men would tell Saul that the donkeys that Saul was seeking had been found, and now Saul’s father was worried about Saul.
Samuel prophesied that as Saul continued, he would encounter three men, carrying three kids (young goats), three loaves of bread and a skin of wine. The men would give Saul the bread, which Saul was to accept. Then Saul would encounter a group of prophets coming down from a place of worship at Gibeath-elohim (the hill of God). They would be singing and dancing with musical instruments. The Spirit of God would come mightily upon Saul and he would prophesy with them and become a changed man.
Samuel told Saul to do whatever he was led to do, because God would be with him. Saul was to wait at Gilgal for seven days, and Samuel would join him to offer sacrifices and give Saul further instructions.
As he left Samuel, God gave Saul “a new heart.” All the things Samuel had told Saul happened as Samuel had prophesied. When Saul met the band of prophets he joined their ecstatic celebration. People who knew Saul previously were amazed at the change in Saul. They said, “What has come over the son of Kish. Is Saul also among the prophets? …And who is their father” (1 Samuel 10:11-12).
Saul returned home and his uncle asked him about his journey. Saul said he had sought the missing donkeys, and when he hadn’t found them he sought a Word from God through the prophet Samuel. Saul’s uncle wanted to know what Samuel had told Saul, and Saul said that Samuel told him the donkeys had been found, but Saul didn’t tell his uncle the rest (about God’s anointing of him as King of Israel).
Romans Paraphrase:
Paul taught that God’s promise to Abraham that Abraham’s descendants “should inherit the world” (Romans 4:13), was received by faith, not by keeping the law. If the promise was attained by keeping the law, faith wouldn’t matter. The law results in condemnation, but there is no condemnation apart from law.
God’s promise depends on faith, so that the promise is given by grace (God’s unmerited favor; Ephesians 2:8-9) and is guaranteed to all people, “not only to the adherents of the law, but also to those who share the faith of Abraham” (Romans 4:16). God’s Word declares Abraham the father of many nations (Genesis 17:5). The giver of the promise is God, who alone by his Word can call into existence things which do not exist “and gives life to the dead” (Romans 4:17).
Abraham is an example of faith; he hoped in faith in God’s promise when it seemed hopeless and impossible. Although he was about a hundred years old and his wife had never conceived, he didn’t waver in faith in God’s promise. “He grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised” (Romans 4:20-21).
God regarded Abraham’s faith as righteousness (Genesis 15:6), and we likewise will be judged righteous (blameless) who believe that Jesus died as a sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins, and was raised by God to eternal life for our justification (judgment of blamelessness; acquittal; vindication).
Matthew Paraphrase:
In the week before Jesus’ crucifixion, Jesus was teaching in the temple, and the religious leaders questioned Jesus’ authority for doing so. Jesus replied by asking them whether John the baptizer’s authority was from God or from men.
The leaders discussed the question among themselves. They were afraid to say that John’s authority was from men, because the people were convinced that John was a prophet, but if they said it was by God’s authority, they would be guilty for not believing John’s word. So they decided to say they didn’t know. Because they refused to answer Jesus, Jesus declined to answer them.
Then Jesus told a parable of two sons of the owner of a vineyard. The father told his sons to go and work in the vineyard. One agreed to go but didn’t keep his word; the other said no, but then repented and did as his father had asked. Jesus asked which of the two sons had done the will of his father. They answered that it was the son who had done what his father asked. Jesus told the religious leaders that tax collectors (hated as collaborators with the Roman government) and harlots enter the kingdom of God before the religious authorities.
John the Baptizer preached the way of righteousness (he called for repentance, and pointed to Jesus as the Messiah), but the religious “experts” didn’t believe him. But the ones they looked down on as “sinners” believed him, and when the religious experts saw sinners repenting and being saved they still did not repent and believe.
Commentary:
Saul was on a journey, but hadn’t found what he was searching for, so he decided, on the suggestion of a servant, to seek God’s guidance through God's prophet Samuel. Samuel had become well-known as a prophet (1 Samuel 3:20). God had prepared Samuel for Saul’s visit. Saul participated in worship, and then Samuel told Saul God’s Word and God’s will for Saul. Samuel told Saul exact details of what Saul would encounter on the way home, as a sign that Samuel had spoken God’s Word, and as Saul went on his way Samuel’s prophesies were fulfilled.
As Saul went in faith in God’s Word, the gift, the “anointing,” of the indwelling Holy Spirit came mightily upon him, he spoke God’s Word by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and he became a changed man; he had been “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8). God gave him a “new heart” to love, trust and obey the Lord. Those who knew him earlier recognized the transformation. They recognized that he was a prophet, and that his spiritual father was God.
God’s promises depend on faith (obedient trust). Saul was changed by the anointing of the Holy Spirit as he walked according to God’s Word which he had received from Samuel. Abraham received the fulfillment of God’s promise as he walked in obedient trust in God’s Word.
Fulfillment is the hallmark of God’s Word; God’s Word is always fulfilled. To receive the promises we must trust and obey Jesus. Jesus is the fulfillment and embodiment of God's Word (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus is God’s one and only Savior, the only way to forgiveness, reconciliation, and fellowship with God (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; See God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home).
Jesus is the Messiah (which means “anointed”), God’s anointed, eternal King. Jesus promised to give the gift of the Holy Spirit to his disciples who trust and obey him (John 14:15-17, 21, 23). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
Jesus died on the Cross as a sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins. His resurrection is the fulfillment of his word (Luke 18:31-34; 9:22, 44-45; 17:25) and the demonstration of the truth of his word of resurrection and eternal life beyond physical death. Through obedient trust in Jesus we are reborn, have personal fellowship with the Lord and receive a foretaste of eternal life through the gift of the Holy Spirit. We become new people, with changed hearts.
The religious leaders during Jesus’ earthly ministry were convinced that they were righteous because they thought they kept the Law of Moses, but their hearts were far from obedient trust in God. They needed a “change of heart.” They had the scriptures and should have been able to recognize that Jesus was the promised Messiah, but they refused to acknowledge his authority.
Jesus' reply to their question was a challenge to their (self-given) authority. Their answer was not truth but self-vindication. They were “sons” of the “vineyard owner” who gave verbal assent to God’s Word, but didn’t do what it required. They thought they had no need of repentance.
No one can be righteous by keeping God’s laws because we all sin and fall short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23). Only by spiritual rebirth and a changed heart by the anointing of the Holy Spirit through obedient trust in Jesus Christ can we serve and accomplish God’s will. It is through the anointing of the Holy Spirit that we receive all that is desirable (all the spiritual gifts) in Israel (in the congregation of God’s people (1 Samuel 9:20). It is the Holy Spirit who gives true, eternal life to the spiritually dead (Romans 4:17).
The Lord has great plans for our lives, but to discover and do them we need the anointing of his Holy Spirit. As we begin to walk in obedient trust in God’s Word and be led by his Spirit, we grow in faith and spiritual maturity. We’re called to be servants of the Lord who direct others to seek the guidance of God’s Word. We’re called to join Jesus’ ministry of salvation and be saviors of God’s people from their spiritual enemies.
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
Monday 7 Pentecost - Odd
First Posted 07/03/05;
Podcast: Monday 7 Pentecost - Odd
1 Samuel 10:17-27 - Saul Chosen King;
Acts 7:44-8:1a - Stephen Martyred;
Luke 22:52-62 - Jesus’ Arrest;
1 Samuel Paraphrase:
Samuel called the Israelites to assemble and warned them that it was the Lord who had delivered them from the oppressors in Egypt, but they had decided that they needed a king to rule over them (other than the Lord), although it was the Lord who had delivered them from all their calamities and distresses. So Samuel had all the tribes pass before him and the tribe of Benjamin was chosen by chance.
The tribe of Benjamin passed by and the family of Matrites was chosen. The family passed by and Saul, son of Kish, was chosen, but he could not be found, because he had hidden among the baggage. He was found and brought forward, and he was head and shoulders above all other Israelites. Samuel proclaimed him chosen by the Lord, and the people acknowledged Saul as their king.
Samuel proclaimed the duties of the king, and recorded them in a book which he placed before the Lord. Then Samuel dismissed the congregation to return to their homes. Saul also returned to his home, accompanied by bodyguards prompted by the Lord. Some among the congregation were unhappy at Saul’s selection and brought him no gift, but Saul did not react.
Acts Paraphrase:
Stephen had been charged with blaspheming Moses and God and was on trial before the Jewish religious court. He began his defense by reviewing the history of God’s dealing with Israel.
Stephen said that the patriarchs had a tent as a sanctuary in the wilderness, built according to the design given by God to Moses. It was brought into the Promised Land with Joshua and served until David, who asked and received permission to build a House for God’s dwelling. But God does not need a house built by humans, as the word of Isaiah 66:1-2 shows, since it is the Lord who created everything in this universe. All of Heaven is his throne, and the entire earth is his footstool.
Stephen called Israel ‘stiff-necked people” as God’s Word had declared them to be (Exodus 33:3, 5), saying that they resisted the Holy Spirit and remained uncircumcised in heart and ears (although physically circumcised as a symbol of their covenant with God, they weren’t faithful to the covenant in their hearts, and they were not sensitive enough to heed God’s Word).
They were behaving like their forefathers had been since the Lord brought them out of Egypt. The forefathers killed the prophets of God who prophesied the coming of the Messiah and this generation proved to be their descendants by killing the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Israel received the Law from God in heaven by divine revelation but didn’t obey it.
When Stephen had said these things the members of the council were enraged, but Stephen was filled with the fullness of the Holy Spirit and declared that he saw a vision of the heavens opened and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. When Stephen said that, the members of the council began to shout and plug their ears (so as to hear no more from Stephen). They grabbed him, dragged him outside the city and stoned him to death. And Saul of Tarsus (who later became the Apostle Paul) was an eyewitness to the stoning of Stephen. Stephen’s last words were to pray God to forgive Stephen’s executioners.
Luke Paraphrase:
Jesus had been betrayed by Judas and arrested by the religious authorities in Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives at night. Jesus asked the authorities who had come to arrest him why they had armed themselves with swords and clubs as if they were capturing a criminal. Jesus told them that he had been in the temple everyday (that week) and they could have arrested him there, but they had chosen to do it in darkness away from public scrutiny. They were working for the forces of darkness, and it was their hour, because it was God’s will to allow it so that his purpose could be fulfilled.
The authorities took Jesus to the high priest’s house, and Peter followed at a distance. They built a fire in the courtyard to warm themselves, and Peter sat among them. In the light of the fire the high priest’s maid recognized Peter and declared that Peter was one of Jesus’ disciples, but Peter denied knowing Jesus. A little while later, someone else suggested that Peter had been with Jesus, and again he denied it. An hour later someone else recognized Peter as a disciple and a Galilean (the region of Galilee; around Nazareth) and again he denied it. While Peter was still speaking the cock crowed. Peter remembered Jesus’ prophecy that Peter would deny him three times before the cock crowed, “and he went out and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:62).
Commentary:
Saul had been chosen by God in answer to Israel’s prayer for a human king to reign over them, like the neighboring countries (1 Samuel 8:4-7). Saul knew that God’s Word had been fulfilled in the past (1 Samuel 10:9), he knew the Lord would empower and guide him to fulfill his calling (1 Samuel 10:10), but Saul didn’t want to follow the calling God had given him. Saul knew the Lord’s will, and that purpose was confirmed by the selection of Saul by chance (directed by God’s power), even though Saul was not present (1 Samuel 10:19-21). He could not change God’s will and purpose for his life by hiding and not showing up.
Saul’s duties were written out in a sacred book placed before the Lord. Although God’s will was revealed by prophecy and confirmed by the fulfillment of prophecy, some were unhappy with God’s “anointed king,” they didn’t see how Saul could save them, and they refused to give him gifts (1 Samuel 10:27). But some whose hearts were responsive to God joined Saul’s “army” (1 Samuel 10:26).
Stephen is an example of a “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) Christian disciple. He accepted the Lord’s call, was equipped by the gift of the Holy Spirit, and spoke God’s Word, inspired by the Holy Spirit, to the leaders of Judaism, even at the cost of his life.
Jesus is the Messiah (Christ; meaning “anointed”) God’s anointed king of the universe. But the religious leaders were unhappy with God’s choice, and they didn’t accept Jesus as their Lord. These same religious leaders also refused to listen to God’s Word proclaimed by Stephen. They took Stephen out and killed him by stoning, just as they had killed Jesus by crucifixion.
God’s prophets are recognizable as the spiritual children of God by what they say and do (1 Samuel 10:11-12). Those who reject Jesus reveal by their words and actions that they are the children of their worldly, sinful ancestors and are working for the forces of darkness.
Saul took no immediate action against those who didn’t like his selection and who refused to rejoice and give him gifts. Neither did Jesus. The wicked are allowed to pursue their own desires for a time, but there is going to be a Day of Judgment, when everyone who has ever lived will be accountable to the Lord for what they have said and done (John 5:28-29; Matthew 25:31-46). We can refuse to hear God’s Word, but we cannot change his will, and his purpose will be accomplished whether we cooperate with it or not.
Peter denied knowing his Lord Jesus, but he had not yet received the gift of the Holy Spirit. After he received the Holy Spirit there was a noticeable change in Peter. On the day of Pentecost Peter preached the Gospel (Acts 2:14-41) with boldness he hadn’t had when he had been afraid to admit knowing Jesus to the high priest’s maid (Luke 22:56). Although he hadn’t believed Jesus’ prophetic word earlier (Luke 22:31-34) about his denial, he came to personally experience its fulfillment. Peter personally witnessed Jesus’ resurrection (Luke 24:34), and was forgiven for his denial (John 21:15-19).
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
Tuesday 7 Pentecost - Odd
First Posted 07/04/05;
Podcast: Tuesday 7 Pentecost - Odd
1 Samuel 11:1-15 - Saul leads Israel in Battle;
Acts 8:1b-13 - Spread of the Gospel;
Luke 22:63-71 - Jesus Before Caiaphas;
1 Samuel Paraphrase:
The Ammonites were east of the tribal allotments in Gilead east of the Jordan River. They besieged Jabesh-gilead, and the men of the village sought a peace treaty with them. Nahash, the commander of the Ammonite army would only make a treaty with them on condition that he would gouge out their right eyes to disgrace Israel. The men of Jabesh asked for a week to seek reinforcement, and if no one could be found to come to their aid they would surrender.
Messengers from Jabesh came to Gibeah, where Saul lived, and the people wept when they heard the news. Saul came home from plowing his fields leading a yoke of oxen, and asked why the people were mourning, When Saul heard, he was enraged, “and the spirit of God came mightily upon Saul” (1 Samuel 11:6), and he slaughtered the oxen and cut them up in pieces. He sent them by messenger throughout Israel, saying that whoever did not join him to fight against the Ammonites, would be cut up in pieces like the oxen.
The Israelites gathered at Bezek, west of the Jordan, opposite Jabesh. Three hundred and thirty thousand men assembled to fight the Ammonites. They told the messengers of Jabesh that their town would have relief from the Ammonite siege the next day before the sun got hot.
The men of Jabesh sent word to the Ammonites that they would surrender themselves to the Ammonites the next day. The next day Saul divided his army into three companies, and attacked the camp of the Ammonites early in the morning, and the surviving Ammonites were scattered and fled.
The Israelites suggested to Samuel that those Israelites who had opposed Saul’s kingship should be brought forth and executed, but Saul told them that not a single Israelite would be put to death that day, because the Lord had given Israel deliverance that day. Samuel called the people to go to Gilgal and publicly ratify Saul’s kingship, with sacrifice and peace offerings to the Lord, with great worship and celebration.
Acts Paraphrase:
The day Stephen was stoned, great persecution arose against the church, and the Christians were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria, except for the Apostles (who remained in Jerusalem). Stephen was mourned and buried by the Church, but Saul (of Tarsus; later known as Paul, the Apostle) was leading the persecution of the Church, arresting and imprisoning believers.
Believers who were scattered by the persecution proclaimed the gospel as they went. Philip went to Samaria and proclaimed Christ to them. The crowds who heard him believed, as they witnessed the miracles he did, healing many of physical and spiritual illness, and there was much rejoicing.
There was a magician named Simon, who had amazed the people of Samaria, and had a reputation as a great worker of magic. The people believed he had the supernatural power of God, and had believed in Simon, but when Philip preached Christ and demonstrated the true power of the Holy Spirit they were converted and baptized into Christ, and even Simon believed, was baptized, and was amazed by the miracles done through Philip.
Luke Paraphrase:
Jesus had been arrested and taken to the house of the high priest during the night. While waiting for dawn, his guards blindfolded him and beat him, taunting him to prophesy who had struck him, and other such abuse.
At daybreak the Jewish council of elders (Sanhedrin; Jewish court) gathered, and Jesus was tried by them. They demanded that Jesus tell them whether he was the Christ (Messiah), but Jesus said that if he told them they would not believe him, and they would not answer if Jesus asked them. But Jesus said that from then on, Jesus would be at the right hand of the power of God. They asked him if he claimed to be the Son of God, and he replied, “You say that I am” (Luke 22:70). At that, the council ruled that Jesus was condemned by his words.
Commentary:
The enemies of God’s people thought they could dictate ruthless terms of peace. They thought God’s people would have no choice but to submit. But they were surprised by the power of the Israelites through God who gave his people deliverance from them. God’s people worshiped God and celebrated their king.
The persecution of the Christians which arose in Jerusalem did not thwart God’s plan; it was the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophesy of Acts 1:8, that his disciples would carry the Gospel outward from Jerusalem into Judea, then to Samaria, and to the most distant parts of the earth, AFTER they had received the promised gift, the “anointing,” of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5, 8).
Simon, the Magician, claimed to have the great supernatural power of God, and had been a false messiah to the Samaritans (who were regarded by Jews as racially and religiously impure), but his words and his power could not compare to the Gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit working through Philip. Even Simon believed Philip’s gospel and wanted for himself the power that Philip demonstrated (Acts 8:18-24).
Jesus’ enemies had blindfolded Jesus and taunted and abused him, because Jesus allowed it, in obedience to God’s will and purpose. His guards thought they were smart; they thought blindfolding Jesus could prevent Jesus from knowing and prophesying who struck him.
The religious leaders wanted Jesus to tell them if he was the Messiah, but Jesus had been telling them and demonstrating, from the beginning, that he was. They didn’t want to know in order to trust and obey Jesus; they were looking for an excuse to kill him. Jesus never said that he was the Son of God; he referred to himself as the Son of man, which was true, because he was God (Colossians 2:8-9; John 20:28) who had a human mother, and that name allowed (and required) his listeners to decide for themselves whether he was the Son of God or not.
Jesus’ word is the creative power of God. When he commanded, even the wind and waves obeyed (Luke 8:22-25). He could have commanded us to accept, trust and obey him, but he allows us to choose for ourselves. Jesus’ answer was correct that it was the religious leaders who had called him the Son of God, and they based their condemnation of Jesus on those words.
Jesus told his enemies that they would see him seated at the right hand of the power of God. There is a day coming when we will no longer be free to choose whether or not to trust and obey Jesus, the Son of God and God’s anointed eternal King. In that day it will be too late to accept his kingship. Now is the day of deliverance by the Lord; then it will be the Day of Judgment, and in that day those who have resisted Jesus’ kingship will be brought before him and condemned to eternal destruction in Hell with all evil (John 5:28-29; Mathew 25:31-46).
The Lord’s forbearance of his enemies is intended to allow them time to come to understanding and repentance. In the case of Saul, he experienced conviction by the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9b), and spiritual awakening on the road to Damascus (Acts Chapter 9), and became the biblical example of a modern, “post-resurrection,” “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) disciple of Jesus Christ, and great evangelist to the Gentiles.
The Cross is the power and wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:18, also see 19-29). The Lord defeated his enemies at the Cross. His enemies thought they could destroy Jesus by crucifying him, but God raised him from physical death to eternal life and gave him power and authority over everything in heaven and earth (Mathew 28:18). God’s plan of salvation (which see, sidebar, top right, home) through Jesus is the secret and hidden wisdom of God (1Corinthians 2:6-7) which has been built into creation (John 1:1-5, 14), which the world does not understand and acknowledge; otherwise they would not have killed Jesus (1 Corinthians 2:8).
Jesus is the eternal King who gives deliverance of his people from the enemies of their souls. Jesus’ disciples have power and deliverance from their spiritual enemies through obedient trust in Jesus, by the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit.
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
Wednesday 7 Pentecost - Odd
First Posted 07/05/05;
Podcast: Wednesday 7 Pentecost - Odd
1 Samuel 12:1-6 (7-15) 16-25 - Samuel’s Farewell;
Acts 8:14-25 - Simon the Magician;
Luke 23:1-12 - Jesus Before Pilate and Herod;
1 Samuel Paraphrase:
Samuel assembled Israel and told them that he had provided the king they had asked for. Samuel was now old and had led Israel as a judge for a long time. He invited any in Israel to speak up if they had any complaint of wrongdoing by Samuel. Israel replied that Samuel had not defrauded, oppressed anyone or taken any bribe.
Samuel reviewed the great saving acts of the Lord in bringing Israel out of slavery in Egypt and into the Promised Land. When Israel had forgotten the Lord and turned to the worship of idols, the Lord allowed their enemies to attack and oppress them. But when Israel confessed their sin and turned in repentance to the Lord, the Lord raised up leaders who delivered Israel from their enemies.
Israel had insisted on having a human king, although the Lord God was their king. Now they had King Saul. Samuel warned them that, if they would fear and serve the Lord and heed his Word, things would go well for them, but if Israel rebelled and disobeyed God’s commands, the Lord would oppose them.
It was the day of the wheat harvest, but Samuel told them the Lord would send thunder and rain (which would be a disaster to the harvest, and extremely unusual in their climate). Samuel called upon the Lord to send thunder and rain to show the people how sinful their desire had been to have a king other than the Lord. The Lord sent thunder and rain that day, and the people feared the Lord and Samuel.
The people asked Samuel to pray for them, that they wouldn’t die as a result of their sins. Samuel told them they had done evil against the Lord in asking for an earthly king, but they must not fear or turn from trusting and obeying the Lord. They must not turn from serving the Lord to vain things which are ultimately of no benefit, and cannot save them.
Samuel assured them that the Lord is faithful and will not abandon his people whom he has chosen. Samuel promised to continue to pray for them and to teach them the good and right way to live. Israel must fear and serve the Lord faithfully with all their heart, remembering all the great things the Lord has done for his people. But if Israel continues to do what is wicked they will be swept away; having an earthly king won’t help them.
Acts Parapahrase:
News of the conversion of Samaritans through the preaching of Philip reached the apostles in Jerusalem, and they sent Peter and John who came to them and prayed that they might receive the Holy Spirit. They had been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, but had not yet received the “anointing” of the Holy Spirit. After the apostles prayed, they laid their hands on the Samaritan Christians and they were filled with the Holy Spirit.
Simon the magician had been teaching and influencing the Samaritans through his magic powers, but had been converted by Philip’s preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts 8:9-13; see entry for yesterday). When Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was conferred by the laying on of the apostles’ hands, Simon offered Peter money for the power to confer the gift of the Holy Spirit upon others, but Peter rebuked him harshly for thinking he could buy the gift of God with money. Simon’s heart was not right before God and he was in bondage to sin. Peter told him to repent of his wickedness, so that, if possible, the Lord would forgive him, so that he might not perish.
Simon asked Peter to pray to the Lord on Simon’s behalf, that none of Peter’s words of condemnation would come upon Simon. After preaching the Gospel and giving their testimony to the Samaritan church, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to the Samaritan villages on their way.
Luke Paraphrase:
The Jewish court (the Sanhedrin) had condemned Jesus for words they had spoken of him (Luke 22:70-71 RSV). Then they went as a group (seventy members and the presiding high priest) to turn Jesus over to Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. They accused Jesus of perverting Israel and “forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar (Luke 23:2; compare Luke 20:25), and saying that he himself is Christ a king” (Luke 23:2; Jesus never made that claim; he referred to himself as the Son of man).
Pilate asked Jesus if he claimed to be King of the Jews, and Jesus replied, “You have said so” (Luke 23:3). Pilate told the Jews that he found Jesus not guilty of their charges, but they insisted that Jesus was a “rabble-rouser” throughout all Judea and Galilee. When Pilate learned that Jesus was a Galilean and therefore under the jurisdiction of Herod Antipas, Roman ruler of Galilee, Pilate sent Jesus to him, since Herod was in Jerusalem.
Herod was glad to have the opportunity to see Jesus, and hoped he might see some miracle done by Jesus, since Herod had heard about him. Herod took some time in questioning Jesus, and the Jewish authorities made vehement accusations, but Jesus made no reply. Herod and his soldiers treated Jesus with disrespect and mocking. They dressed Jesus in royal clothing and sent him back to Pilate. Pilate and Herod, who had been hostile towards each other, became friends that day.
Commentary:
Samuel warned Israel that having an earthly king would not make them secure. The Lord had blessed and delivered them in the past, as long as they trusted and obeyed God’s Word, but if they rebelled and disobeyed God’s Word the Lord would withdraw his providence and protection from them, and would allow their enemies to attack and oppress them. The Lord allowed trouble to come upon his people to show them the wickedness and consequences of their sin, but he is faithful to forgive and heal those who confess their sin and repent and return to obedient trust in the Lord and his Word.
The people of Israel acknowledged their sin and asked Samuel to pray to the Lord, interceding on their behalf, so that they might not die as a result of their sin. Samuel promised to continue to intercede for God’s people and to continue to teach them to live according to God’s Word, but the people were to recall and remember God’s great saving acts in their behalf, and must fear and serve the Lord earnestly and faithfully.
Simon the magician recognized that the Gospel that Philip preached was true and powerful, compared to the self-glorifying message Simon had been proclaiming to the Samaritans. The power of the Holy Spirit working through Philip was greater than magic illusion. Simon hadn’t learned yet that spiritual gifts and salvation cannot be bought with money.
Peter’s rebuke of Simon came near to being a curse (Acts 8:20). Peter was carrying out his responsibility by rebuking sin within the church and calling for repentance. Simon’s heart was not right before God and he was in bondage to sin. Simon needed to learn how to live according to God’s Word. Rather than being insulted and leaving the church, as many would do today in a similar situation, Simon willingly heard the truth and repented and sought forgiveness, asking Peter to intercede with God on his behalf, so that he might not die (eternally) for his sin.
God’s people wanted a King and a Savior to deliver them from their enemies and God gave them Jesus Christ, but Jesus won’t do us any good if we don’t trust and obey Jesus, who speaks God’s Word and is the embodiment and fulfillment of God’s Word (John 1:1-5, 14). The Jewish leaders rejected Jesus and refused to obey him. They trusted in their “religion” while violating its teachings. They didn’t love the Lord their God and they condemned Jesus and testified against him with lies they made up. They killed him without justification. They refused to hear God’s Word. They refused to confess and repent.
The Jewish authorities loved their position as leaders of their religion and their nation and their behavior brought both to an end. Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the temple in 70 A.D. The Jews were scattered throughout the world, and the nation of Israel ceased to exist until it was reestablished following World War II. The temple has never been rebuilt.
“Simony” is the name, taken from Simon the magician, referring to the practice of the buying of church offices. It applies to those who regard ministry as a career choice or a way to manipulate people. It can also apply to those who think they can buy or earn influence with God, or manipulate God’s favor by membership, attendance, or financial contributions to the Church.
The Church and “Christian” nations, particularly America, are in much the same position today as Judaism and Israel were in at the time of Christ’s first coming. Many have turned away from obedient trust in the Lord and have pursued vain things and worldly rulers who they think will give them security. Many leaders are using their position to enrich and glorify themselves, and have perverted the nation and church.
Many preach a false gospel that sounds good, that people want to hear, but which lacks truth and power of the scriptural (as recorded in the Bible) apostolic (as taught by the Apostles, including Peter and Paul) Gospel. Many leaders refuse to rebuke sinful behavior and call for repentance and obedient trust in the Lord, and many church “members” refuse to accept rebuke, acknowledge sin, and heed the call to repentance. Samuel and Peter are examples of the kinds of people we need in church and national leadership. Will the Church and Nation be any more prepared for Christ’s return than Judaism and Israel were for his first coming?
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
Thursday 7 Pentecost - Odd
First Posted 07/06/05;
Podcast: Thursday 7 Pentecost - Odd
1 Samuel 13:5-18 - Saul’s Disobedience;
Acts 8:26-40 - Philip and the Ethiopian;
Luke 23:13-25 - Pilate’s Verdict;
1 Samuel Paraphrase:
The Philistines mustered a large army of thirty six thousand chariots and horsemen, and a vast number of foot soldiers. They camped at Michmash, west of Gilgal. The Israelites were terrified of the Philistines, and hid in caves, tombs and cisterns, or fled east across the Jordan into Gilead. Saul was at Gilgal with his army of six hundred men, waiting for Samuel to arrive to sacrifice to the Lord and beg for God’s blessing in their fight against the Philistines.
Samuel had told Saul that he would be there in seven days, and when Samuel was delayed and hadn’t arrived after seven days, Saul’s troops began to scatter. So Saul ordered the burnt offering and peace offering brought to him, and Saul offered the sacrifices to the Lord.
As soon as he was finished, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to greet him, and Samuel rebuked Saul for what Saul had done. Saul replied that his men were beginning to desert him and Samuel had not arrived in the time agreed upon, and the Philistines had encamped at Michmash, so Saul had “forced himself” to offer the sacrifices.
Samuel declared that Saul had acted foolishly and had disobeyed God’s command. The Lord would have established Saul’s kingdom over Israel for ever (through his descendants), but now Saul’s kingdom would not remain. God sought a man “after (the Lord’s) own heart,” who would do all God’s will (David was that man), and had appointed him to reign over Israel instead of Saul, because Saul had not obeyed God’s command.
Samuel left Gilgal and went southwest to Gibeah. Saul counted his troops, and there were six hundred fighting men, and they encamped at Geba (southwest of Michmash). Raiders were sent out from the Philistine encampment in three companies. One went north toward Ophrah (Ephron, Ephraim), one went west toward Beth-horon, and one went south toward Gibeah and the southern border of Israel and the wilderness.
Acts Paraphrase
Philip had been preaching the Gospel in Samaria, and an angel of the Lord told Philip to go south on the road that goes from Jerusalem to Gaza (a desert road), and Philip got up and went. As Philip went, he encountered an Ethiopian who was the administrator of the treasury of Candace, Queen of Ethiopia (Nubia). The Ethiopian was a proselyte of Judaism, who had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning in his chariot, reading aloud (the usual custom in that time) from the book of Isaiah.
The Spirit of God told Philip to join the Ethiopian, so Philip ran up and, hearing what he was reading, asked the Ethiopian if he understood that passage. The Ethiopian acknowledged that he would appreciate someone to guide him and invited Philip to ride with him in the chariot.
The passage the Ethiopian was reading was Isaiah 53:7-8, “As a sheep led to the slaughter or a lamb before its shearer is dumb (mute), so he opens not his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe this generation? For his life was taken up from the earth." The Ethiopian asked Philip who Isaiah was referring to, and Philip began with this verse and told the Ethiopian the good news (gospel) of Jesus Christ.
As they rode along, they came to some water, and the Ethiopian asked what would prevent him from being baptized. He stopped the chariot and he and Philip got down into the water and the Ethiopian was baptized. When they came out of the water, Philip was snatched up by the Holy Spirit and disappeared from the Ethiopian’s sight. The Ethiopian continued on his way, rejoicing. Philip was found in Azotus (near the southern Mediterranean coast north of Gaza), and he went north preaching the gospel in every town until he arrived in Caesarea.
Luke Paraphrase:
Jesus had been brought before Pilate by the Jewish Court (Sanhedrin; seventy elders and the high priest presiding). Pilate had sent Jesus to Herod Antipas (son of Herod the Great, and Roman administrator of Galilee, who was in Jerusalem for the Passover). Herod had sent Jesus back dressed in royal clothing, mocking him as the King of the Jews.
Pilate assembled the Jewish priests and elders and told them that neither Herod nor he had had found Jesus guilty of any of the charges which the Jewish Council had brought against Jesus. Pilate ruled that Jesus had done nothing worthy of execution, and he would chastise Jesus and release him. But all the Jewish leaders cried out, insisting that Jesus be gotten rid of, and asked Pilate to release Barabbas, a notorious insurrectionist and murderer, instead.
Pilate again tried to release Jesus, but they cried out for Jesus to be crucified. A third time Pilate asked them what evil Jesus had done that deserved his execution, and ruled that Jesus be chastised and released, but the Jewish leaders demanded that Jesus be crucified. So Pilate granted their demand. He released Barabbas, and sentenced Jesus to be crucified according to the will of the Jewish Council.
Commentary:
Saul had been told to wait until Samuel arrived, but Saul had not trusted and obeyed God’s Word, and had tried to manipulate God to bless Saul’s enterprise without Saul’s obedient trust. Instead of receiving the fullness of God’s promise of an eternal throne passed on through Saul’s descendants, the kingdom was removed from Saul and given to David, who was a man whose heart was willing to do all of God’s will (Acts 13:22; Psalm 89:20).
Philip is an example of a “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) Christian (a disciple of Jesus Christ). Philip was obedient to divine inspiration to get up and go on the road to Gaza, and as he went, he was guided by the Holy Spirit to present the Gospel to an influential member of the Ethiopian government. He was fulfilling the commission given by the risen Christ to his disciples to make disciples in all nations and baptize them in the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (the Holy Trinity) and to teach them to obey all Jesus commands (Matthew 28:19-20). He was equipped, guided and empowered as he trusted and obeyed God’s Word.
Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise of the eternal king, the descendant of David (Matthew 1:1-16), who has inherited the throne of David. Jesus is the perfect example of one who is completely willing to do all God’s will, even to the point of dying on the Cross (Luke 22:42). He is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy of a suffering servant, a perfect, unblemished sacrificial “Lamb” of Passover, whose blood allows us to be “passed over” by eternal death, who was denied justice, and who was mute before his “shearers” (Luke 23:9).
Neither Pilate nor Herod found Jesus guilty of any charge which the Jewish Council had brought against him, and Pilate tried three times to acquit and release Jesus. Jesus died in place of Barabbas, a notorious sinner and murderer, and for each of us, because we are all sinners who fall short of the Lord’s righteousness (Romans 3:23; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar top right, home).
God’s Word is always fulfilled, but it is those who trust and obey the Lord who received what he has promised. God has promised us an eternal kingdom in the “Promised Land” of heaven, with the Lord as our king. Philip is an example of what Christians are supposed to be and do, and Saul is a warning to us of what we should not be and do.
Philip was willing to follow the Lord’s guidance down a lonely road, without knowing the opportunity it might bring. Saul thought he could use “religion” to manipulate God to bless Saul’s plans, without Saul’s obedient trust in God’s Word. When God tells us to wait, going ahead in our own wisdom and strength will lead to spiritual disaster.
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
Friday 7 Pentecost - Odd
First Posted 07/07/05;
Podcast: Friday 7 Pentecost - Odd
1 Samuel 13:19-14:15 - Jonathan’s Victory at Michmash;
Acts 9:1-9 - Paul’s Conversion;
Luke 23:26-31 - Jesus Goes to Crucifixion;
1 Samuel Paraphrase:
Blacksmithing was a new technology, and the Philistines were more advanced. They profited from making and sharpening agricultural implements for the Israelites but tried to keep Israel from arming themselves with swords and spears. On the day of battle, Saul and his son Jonathan were among the only Israelites with iron weapons.
The Philistines were camped at Michmash and Saul and his men were at Gibeah. Saul had about six hundred men, and the Philistines had many thousands (1 Samuel 13:5). Ahijah, the grandson of Phinehas, the son of Eli, was high priest, and he had the ephod (a garment or box containing the Urim and Thummim, the sacred objects used to determine God’s will by “chance”).
Without telling Saul, Jonathan and his armor bearer went up the pass between themselves and the Philistines. Jonathan told his armor bearer that the Lord could not be hindered from saving them regardless of the number of the enemy, and the armor-bearer was in accord with Jonathan. Jonathan decided to cross over to the garrison and show themselves. If the Philistines decided to come out and fight in the open they would not engage them, but if the Philistines called Jonathan and his armor-bearer to come up to them, it would be a sign that the Lord had given them into Jonathan’s hands.
When Jonathan and his armor-bearer showed themselves, the Philistines said that the “Hebrews” (a derogatory name) were crawling out of their holes, where they had hidden. They called to Jonathan to come up and they would teach him a lesson. Jonathan went up and he and his armor-bearer killed twenty Philistines. There was panic in the Philistine camp, and the earth quaked, increasing their panic.
Acts Paraphrase:
Saul of Tarsus (later called Paul; the apostle) had been persecuting Christians since the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:57-8:1). He had gotten authorization from the high priest to go to the synagogues at Damascus and arrest any who belonged to the “Way” (the early name for Christianity; Jesus is the way; John 14:6).
As Saul approached Damascus, a bright light flashed around him, and he fell to the ground. A voice from heaven called him by name and asked why Saul was persecuting him. Saul asked who was speaking, and the voice replied that it was Jesus. The voice of Jesus told Saul to rise and enter Damascus and await further instructions. The men accompanying Saul heard the voice but saw no one. Saul arose and found that he could not see, and was led by the hand into Damascus, where he fasted for three days.
Luke Paraphrase:
After Pilate had agreed to sentence Jesus to crucifixion because of the demands of the Jewish Council (Sanhedrin), Jesus was led away to be crucified, and the soldiers compelled Simon of Cyrene, who happened to be entering the city, to carry the cross behind Jesus. A great multitude followed bewailing and lamenting for Jesus, but he turned and told them they should weep and mourn for themselves, rather than for Jesus.
Jesus warned that the day was coming when they would wish they had never borne and nursed children. He warned them that in that day they would pray for the mountains to fall on them and cover them. “If they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry” (Luke 23:31).
Commentary:
It wasn’t numerical superiority or man-made weapons, but faith (obedient trust) in the Lord that gave Jonathan the victory over his enemies. The Lord is “with” those who are committed to seeking and following his will; his power gives them victory over their spiritual enemies. As Jonathan and his servant stepped out in faith, the Lord was working to cause confusion and panic in the enemy.
Saul had thought that he was doing God’s will by persecuting Christians. The Lord confronted him on the road to Damascus. Jesus revealed Saul’s spiritual blindness through the loss of Saul's physical sight. Saul accepted the Lord’s rebuke, and spent three days fasting in repentance.
God’s plan to save eternally those who trust and obey him through Jesus Christ cannot be hindered no matter how numerous and powerful the enemy or how great their technology. Jesus’ enemies succeeded in crucifying Jesus, but in doing so they accomplished the fulfillment of God’s purpose.
Jesus died physically, but he was raised to eternal life. His resurrection was attested to by over five hundred eye-witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:3-9), and continues to be attested to by every truly “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) disciple of Jesus Christ, since they have personally experienced the risen Jesus just as Saul (Paul) did. Jesus’ resurrection demonstrates the truth of resurrection and eternal life beyond physical death.
Only Jesus gives the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey him (John 14:15-17). It is through the indwelling Holy Spirit that we can know God's will and guidance personally and are empowered to do it. The gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that we are in Christ and have eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). The Holy Spirit is the guide, the sword and the armor we must take into spiritual battle in this world.
Jesus warned that there is a day coming when the world will see Jesus returning in great power and glory. Those who have trusted and obeyed Jesus will rejoice in him, and will receive eternal life with him in heaven; but those who have rejected Jesus and refused to obey him will be condemned to eternal death, eternal destruction, in Hell with all evil (Matthew 25:31-46). Those who have resisted and opposed him will be in panic. They will wish they could hide or flee, but there will be nowhere to hide. They will wish they had never been born.
Only Jesus can save us from God’s wrath and eternal destruction (Acts 4:12; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home). Jesus is the way, the truth and the (true, eternal,) life (John 14:6). Only Jesus can heal spiritual blindness and give life to those who are spiritually dead.
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
Saturday 7 Pentecost - Odd
First Posted 07/08/05;
Podcast: Saturday 7 Pentecost - Odd
1 Samuel 14:16-30 - Jonathan Violates Saul’s Oath;
Acts 9:10-19a - Paul Receives the Holy Spirit;
Luke 23:32-43 - Jesus Crucified;
1 Samuel Paraphrase:
Jonathan and his armor-bearer had attacked the Philistine garrison in faith in the Lord (1 Samuel 14:6-7), and the Lord had caused the Philistine camp to panic (1 Samuel 14:15). Saul’s watchmen noticed the pandemonium in the Philistine camp and told Saul. Saul took a head count and determined that his son Jonathan and Jonathan’s armor-bearer were not present. Saul consulted Ahijah, the high priest.
Meanwhile the commotion in the Philistine camp was increasing, so Saul and his men attacked the Philistine camp. There were Hebrews (not necessarily Israelites, but Semitic) who had collaborated with the Philistines who turned to support Saul’s forces, and there were Israelites who had hidden themselves (1 Samuel 13:6-7a) who joined with Saul’s men to pursue the fleeing Philistines northward past Beth-aven (Bethel). The Lord had given Israel a great victory over superior forces.
The Israelites were distressed because Saul had ordered his men to fast until evening. As the army passed through a forest there was honey dripping from the trees, but Saul’s men were forbidden to eat. Jonathan and his armor-bearer hadn’t heard the order to fast and so Jonathan ate. The men told him that Saul had made a curse against anyone who ate that day, and Jonathan replied that Saul had caused hardship for his men by not allowing them to eat the spoils of their enemy and had thus diminished Israel’s victory.
Acts Paraphrase:
Saul of Tarsus (later called Paul, the Apostle) had been blinded in an encounter with the risen and ascended Jesus on the road to Damascus. He was fasting in Damascus and awaiting further instructions from the Lord. A disciple in Damascus named Ananias had a vision in which the Lord called him by name and told him to go to the house of a man named Judas on Straight Street where Saul of Tarsus was fasting and praying. The Lord had also given Saul a vision of Ananias coming to him and laying his hands on Saul to restore Saul’s sight.
Ananias replied to the Lord that he had heard Saul’s reputation for persecuting Christians and knew that Saul had come to Damascus to arrest Christians and imprison them in Jerusalem. The Lord told Ananias to go to Saul as the Lord had told him, because the Lord had chosen Saul to be a minister of the Gospel to Gentiles, to Kings and to the people of Israel, and Saul would suffer much for the Lord’s name.
Ananias went as the Lord had commanded and laid his hands on Saul so that Saul’s sight would be restored and that he would be filled with the Holy Spirit. “Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight” (Acts 9:18). Saul got up and was baptized and ate and regained strength. (Saul’s radical transformation demonstrated that he had been filled with the Holy Spirit; Acts 9:19-20, 22.)
Luke Paraphrase:
Jesus was being taken to his crucifixion, and two criminals were also taken to be crucified with him. They were taken to a place called the Skull, and Jesus was crucified, with the criminals crucified on his right and on his left. Jesus prayed for God’s forgiveness for those who carried out his crucifixion in their spiritual ignorance. The soldiers cast lots (like throwing dice) to divide Jesus’ garments.
A crowd watched; but the rulers (the Jewish religious authorities) mocked Jesus, saying that if Jesus were the Christ, God’s anointed, he should save himself miraculously, like the miracles he had done for others. The soldiers also mocked Jesus, saying that if Jesus were the King of the Jews he should save himself. An inscription labeling him “King of the Jews” had been placed on Jesus’ cross.
One of the criminals crucified beside Jesus also said that Jesus should save himself and the criminals also if he really was the Christ. But the other criminal rebuked his fellow criminal, saying that he should fear God, since he had been justly condemned to death, while Jesus had done no wrong. Then he asked Jesus to remember him when Jesus received his kingly power. Jesus replied that the repentant criminal would be with him that day in Paradise.
Commentary:
It was Jonathan’s faith and initiative that the Lord used to give Israel victory over the Philistines (1 Samuel 14:6-10). While Saul was in his encampment seeking to manipulate God’s favor by vows (1 Samuel 14:24) and religious ritual (1 Samuel 14:18-19) Jonathan was out in the battlefield doing what God wanted done. Vows and fasting have the appearance of piety, but are not to be used as a substitute for obedient trust in the Lord.
When Jonathan and his armor-bearer stepped out in faith, the Lord gave them help from unexpected places. The Lord caused the Philistines to panic, and he caused an earthquake to increase their panic (1 Samuel 14:15). He raised up unexpected allies from within the Philistine camp, both Jews who had been in hiding, and those who had been collaborating with the enemy (1 Samuel 14:21-22).
When they were tired and hungry after the battle the Lord provided an overflowing abundance of honey, but the Israelites were unable to partake in it because of the unsound ruling of their earthly leader. Are some of us missing the spiritual blessings and the fullness of the victory which the Lord wants us to have because we are participating in ritual and vows instead of discipleship and the anointing of the Holy Spirit? Do we use “religion” in an attempt to get God to do our will, instead of seeking to know and do his will through a personal relationship with the Lord by his indwelling Holy Spirit? Are some of us hanging around in "camp" instead of joining our brothers on the battlefield?
The Lord was working in Saul’s life through Ananias to restore Saul to spiritual vision and true, eternal life. Saul had accepted the Lord’s rebuke and turned to the Lord in obedient trust. The Lord had told him to wait for further instructions (Acts 9:6), and as he waited the Lord gave him the vision of Ananias restoring his sight. Ananias was unknown to Saul but the Lord knew and used him to be his mediator to bring healing and re-birth to Saul.
Ananias trusted and obeyed the Lord despite Saul’s reputation and previous behavior. Ananias “prayed back” the Lord’s command to be sure he had it right, and expressed his concern so that the Lord was able to reassure him. Because of Ananias’ obedient trust, Saul of Tarsus became the Apostle Paul, the prototype of the "modern," “post-resurrection” “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) disciple of Jesus Christ, minister of the Gospel to the Gentiles (which includes most of us), who wrote or participated in a significant portion of the New Testament. Ananias didn’t need any special skill to treat and heal Paul; he just needed to be “available” to the Lord, through a personal relationship by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Lord provided his power through Ananias.
Many of the spectators at Jesus’ crucifixion expected that if Jesus were the Messiah he should prove it by saving himself, but God’s plan of salvation (see sidebar; top right, home) required Jesus’ death on the cross. Jesus’ human nature would have preferred not to be crucified, but he was obedient to God’s will (Luke 22:42). If he had come down from the cross he would have failed to be the Messiah. People who require “proof” in order to believe in Jesus, will never find any, because God has intentionally made salvation (from eternal death) be received only by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9).
In a sense, we are all guilty of Jesus’ crucifixion because all of us have sinned (disobeyed God’s will) and fall short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23), making Jesus’ crucifixion necessary. we are all also like the criminals crucified with Jesus. We are all under condemnation in God’s judgment, and the penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23).
Jesus is God’s only provision for our forgiveness and salvation (Acts 4:12; John 14:6). Instead of demanding proof, the repentant criminal crucified with Jesus acknowledged his guilt and Jesus’ righteousness, expressed faith that Jesus was Lord, and asked Jesus to intercede for him. Jesus promised he would, and that the repentant criminal would be with him that day in Paradise.
Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
