Week of 16 Pentecost - Odd
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Podcast Download: Week of 16 Pentecost - Odd
Sunday 16 Pentecost - Odd
First Posted 09/03/05;
Podcast: Sunday 16 Pentecost - Odd
1 Kings 8:22-30 (31-40) - Prayer of Dedication;
1 Timothy 4:7b-16 - Christian Conduct;
John 8:47-59 - Rejection of Jesus;
1 Kings Paraphrase:
The newly completed temple was being dedicated. All the elders and heads of tribes and families of Israel, and the congregation of Israel were present. The Ark of the Covenant had been brought to the temple and animal sacrifices had been made. Then Solomon offered the prayer of dedication in the presence of the congregation.
Solomon acknowledged that the Lord God of Israel is the only God of all heaven and earth, who shows steadfast love and faithfulness to those who walk in obedient trust in the Lord with all their hearts. The Lord has fulfilled what he had promised to King David, Solomon’s father. Solomon asked the Lord to fulfill the promise of an eternal dynasty of the throne of David, acknowledging that the promise was conditional upon obedient trust in God by God’s people.
Solomon acknowledged that no building built with human hands can contain the Lord, since all earth and heaven are not adequate to contain him. Yet Solomon prayed that the Lord would hear and honor the prayers of all people who prayed in faith toward God’s house; that the Lord’s eyes and ears would be upon his temple day and night. Solomon prayed that the Lord would cause his name (his character; his power and glory) to abide there, so that supplicants would receive forgiveness and answered prayers
Solomon prayed that the Lord would render justice, condemning the guilty and bringing their conduct back upon themselves, and vindicating and rewarding the righteous according to their deeds. When God’s people fall into the hands of their enemies because they haven’t trusted and obeyed the Lord, if they turn again to the Lord in repentance and pray for forgiveness, the Lord will forgive them and bring them back to the Promised Land, the land of their inheritance.
When the people experience drought, famine, plague (or storm, or flood) because they have turned away from obedient trust in the Lord, the Lord will honor the prayer of sincere repentance and obedient trust and will heal and restore them according to each individual’s heart, so that God’s people can learn the right way in which to live. God will reward or punish each individual according to each individual’s heart. Only the Lord can judge justly, because only the Lord knows each persons innermost thoughts and motives. May they fear (honor and respect) God’s power so that they may live long in the Promised Land.
1 Timothy Paraphrase:
The letters to Timothy are the discipling of a young Christian minister (apostle) by a mature Christian disciple and apostle (messenger of the Gospel). Christians are urged to train ourselves in godliness (to emulate God’s character; to apply God’s Word in our daily lives). People can understand the benefit of physical training; spiritual training is of much greater benefit, now in this present life, and in the life to come. We should accept this advice because it is true. We pursue godliness because our hope is in the living God who offers salvation to all people, and that offer is received and fulfilled in those who obediently trust him.
Timothy’s mentor told him to command and teach the congregation under Timothy’s supervision to obey Jesus’ teachings and commands. Spiritual maturity is not a matter of chronological age (Some long-time “Christian” church members have failed to grow to spiritual maturity, because discipleship and godliness was not taught or expected of them). Congregational ministry (and also personal discipleship) involves (or should involve) public (as well as private) scripture reading, preaching, and teaching.
Believers are to stay within the Church (the "New Jerusalem") until they have been "born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8) by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8), before going out into the world to proclaim the Gospel. They need to be filled, guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit in order to accomplish Christ's mission.
Disciples are to develop and apply the gifts they are given by, and with the guidance of, the Holy Spirit. Timothy and all disciples are well advised to practice these duties (godliness, scripture-reading, proclaiming and teaching the Gospel, and applying and developing the gifts of the Holy Spirit) so that everyone can see our progress. Each of us should take responsibility for our own discipleship and spiritual growth so that we receive fulfillment of the promise of salvation for ourselves, and can offer it also to others.
John Paraphrase:
Jewish religious leaders thought they knew God and the scriptures, but they rejected Jesus as the promised Savior, the Messiah. Jesus told them that those who are godly recognize the Word of God; those who do not recognize Gods’ Word are not of God. That statement infuriated them; they suggested that Jesus was a Samaritan (regarded as a “mongrel;” of mixed breed; illegitimate, both racially and religiously) and possessed by a demon. Jesus replied that he didn’t have a demon, but he was glorifying his Father, and they were dishonoring Jesus. Jesus wasn’t going to seek his own glory; he was leaving it to God the Father, the righteous judge, who would vindicate Jesus.
Jesus declared that if anyone trusts and obeys Jesus’ word, he will never see (eternal, spiritual) death. The Jews thought this statement by Jesus proved that he had a demon, since Abraham and the prophets all died (physically). They asked Jesus if he claimed to be greater than Abraham or the prophets. Who was Jesus claiming to be? Jesus replied that he would not attempt to glorify himself to them because it would be pointless. Instead, God the Father would glorify Jesus.
Jesus said the Jewish authorities claimed that God was their God, but they had never known God. Jesus did know God and obeyed God’s Word. If Jesus denied knowing God, Jesus would be as much a liar as these Jews who claimed falsely to know God. Jesus said that Abraham rejoiced to see Jesus’ day; Abraham saw it (by faith) and rejoiced. The Jewish authorities thought Jesus couldn’t possibly have seen Abraham because Jesus wasn’t physically old enough to have lived (physically) in Abraham’s time. “Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58; Jesus was claiming oneness with God; note Exodus 3:14). At that statement the Jewish authorities took up stones to stone Jesus to death, but Jesus hid from them and left the temple.
Commentary:
God’s promise to David to establish an eternal dynasty on the throne of David was a conditional promise; requiring obedient trust in God. God required obedient trust from his “anointed” (Christ and Messiah both mean “anointed,” in Greek and Hebrew respectively), and he required it of his people. When God’s people strayed from obedient trust, they got into disaster.
The temple was to be a house of prayer, but the condition for answered prayer is obedient trust (see Conditions for Answered Prayer; sidebar, top right, home). God has no inclination to do what we ask of him, if we refuse to do what he asks of us. God allows bad things to happen to his people to teach them the way in which he wants us to live. Often it takes disaster to force us to recognize that we are not self-sufficient and that we need the Lord. Sometimes, as in America today, faith in government has become a substitute for faith in the Lord.
Timothy’s mentor ("discipler;" the Apostle Paul) taught Timothy to be a disciple, to grow in spiritual maturity, to seek, receive and develop the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, through obedient trust in God’s Word, and then to repeat that process with the members of the congregation in Timothy’s responsibility (2 Timothy 2:2). Salvation is by grace (unmerited favor, free gift) to be received through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9). It is offered to all; but is received only from Jesus (1 31-34), only by those who trust and obey Jesus’ commands (John 14:15-17). 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). Godliness is obedience to God’s will; the right way to live according to God’s judgment.
Christian disciples must take responsibility for their own discipling and spiritual growth. We need to spend time reading the scriptures daily, we need to seek biblical preaching and teaching in a local congregation, and we need to apply God’s Word in our daily lives, one day at a time.
The Jewish religious leaders thought they knew God and the scriptures, but they failed to recognize that Jesus was the Messiah, the fulfillment of God’s Word. Jesus was the “Son of David,” the eternal heir to David’s throne and the eternal kingdom of God. Jesus pointed out what and how they needed to change, but they refused to accept his correction, to repent, and change their ways to conform to his teaching.
The Jewish leaders could not receive Jesus’ teaching because they had disobedient hearts, had closed their ears, and had refused to see, because they were unwilling to repent and change their ways (Matthew 13:14-15; Isaiah 6:9-10; Acts 28:26-27)..
The Church, in some instances today, is a lot like Judaism at the time of Jesus’ first advent (coming; his earthly ministry). Too often it is filled with members and led by ministers who have not been “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) through a personal relationship with Jesus by the gift of his Holy Spirit. They’re convinced that they know God and the scriptures, but they haven’t been disciples; they haven’t practiced or taught obedience of Jesus’ teachings. They consider themselves authorities and won’t accept correction from authentic disciples of Jesus Christ.
Because the Jewish leaders couldn’t recognize and accept Jesus as the Messiah, they had a worldly perspective; they had no experience of the spiritual dimension. Whereas Jesus talked about spiritual and eternal things, they could only understand worldly and temporal things; Jesus spoke of spiritual death but they could only think of physical death. Jesus’ words sounded crazy to them, but the problem was within themselves.
In the same way the anointing of the Holy Spirit is incomprehensible by those who have not been “reborn.” Jesus commanded his disciples to make disciples (not “church members”), and to teach obedience of all that Jesus teaches and commands (Matthew 28:19-20). It takes disciples to make disciples.
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 16 Pentecost - Odd
First Posted 09/04/05;
Podcast: Monday 16 Pentecost - Odd
2 Chronicles 6:32-7:7 - Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication;
James 2:1-13 - Christian Impartiality;
Mark 14:53-65 - Jesus Before the High Priest;
2 Chronicles Paraphrase:
In the prayer of dedication of the temple, Solomon prayed that the Lord would hear the prayers of foreigners as well as God’s people, so that so that the whole world would come to know the power and faithfulness of the Lord.
Solomon prayed that the Lord would hear and answer the prayers of his people who might be unable to come to the temple because of military service. Since all are guilty of sin (disobedience of God’s Word), Solomon prayed that God would hear the prayers of the penitent sinners, if they acknowledge their sin and ask for forgiveness, even if they have become captives in a foreign land and unable to come to the temple.
Solomon prayed that the Lord’s eyes and ears would be open to see and hear the needs of his people, that the priests would be clothed with salvation, and that the saints would rejoice in God’s goodness. “O Lord God, do not turn away the face of thy anointed one! Remember thy steadfast love for David thy servant” (2 Chronicles 6:42 RSV).
When Solomon had ended his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. The priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord filled the Lord’s house” (2 Chronicles 7:1-2). The people witnessed the fire from heaven and the glory of the Lord, and they bowed to the ground and worshiped the Lord, saying, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures for ever” (2 Chronicles 7:3 RSV).
Practically everyone in Israel was present at the dedication, and the feast which accompanied the sacrifice which was central to the worship required a large number of animals. The regular altar within the sanctuary was not adequate for the needs of the large sacrifice, so Solomon consecrated the middle of the courtyard in front of the temple where he offered the sacrifices and offerings for the occasion. The worship was conducted by the priests and accompanied, according to the Chronicler, by Levitical musicians, accompanying Psalms which David had composed for worship.
James Paraphrase:
The author of the Letter of James urges Christians not to show partiality toward any individual or group. For example the poor should be given the same welcome and treated with the same respect as the rich or powerful. It is often the poor and week, by worldly standards, who are rich and strong in faith, while it is often the rich and powerful who oppress Christians and oppose the Gospel.
We are commanded to love our neighbors just as we love ourselves, but if we love certain individuals or groups more than others we are guilty of violating the commandment. “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point becomes guilty of all of it” (James 2:10).
Although not under the bondage of the Covenant of Law, we should live like those who are bound by the Law. We are freed and enabled to fulfill the Law in love rather than from fear. If we do not show mercy for others we cannot expect to receive it ourselves.
Mark Paraphrase:
After his betrayal and arrest, Jesus was taken to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest. The members of the Sanhedrin (elders, chief priests and scribes) were assembled. Peter had followed Jesus into the courtyard, and was warming himself around a fire with the guards.
The Sanhedrin was seeking a charge against Jesus which they could use to execute him. There were many false charges, but they couldn’t find any charge sustained by the testimony of two witnesses required by law. Some testified that Jesus had said that if the temple which had been built by human design and labor was destroyed, Jesus would rebuild it in three days supernaturally, without human aid. But even that charge could not be substantiated.
The high priest tried to get Jesus to respond to the charges, but Jesus said nothing. So the high priest asked Jesus if he was the Christ, the son of God. Jesus replied, “I AM (see Exodus 3:14), and you will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:62). The high priest tore his robe and said that there was no need of corroborating witnesses since the council had heard Jesus blaspheme.
The high priest called for a verdict and they condemned Jesus unanimously. Some began to spit on Jesus. They also covered Jesus’ head and then struck him and taunted him to prophesy (who had struck him). He was handed to the guards, who began to beat him.
Commentary:
It has been God’s intention from the beginning of Creation to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who trust and obey him. This life is our opportunity to seek and come to personal knowledge of and fellowship with the Lord (Acts 17:26-27). It was God’s intention that through Israel the blessings of salvation (from eternal destruction) and eternal life in God’s kingdom might extend to all people.
All of us have sinned and fall short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). Jesus is God’s one and only plan for our salvation (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home), and Jesus has been “built into” Creation from the very beginning (John 1:1-5, 14).
God shows no partiality; anyone, regardless of race, sex, gender, nationality, social or economic status, who does what is right in God’s judgment, according to his Word is acceptable to him (Acts 10:34-35). God hears the prayers of truly repentant sinners who are willing to change, to trust in the Lord and become obedient to God’s will.
Christians should show the same impartiality that God has. It is true that the poor and weak in worldly ways often are strong in faith and rich spiritually, and the rich and powerful often take advantage of the poor and weak, oppress Christians and resist the Gospel. We need to honestly examine our churches and congregations and consider whether we love all of our neighbors impartially and in the same way that we love ourselves and want other to love us.
The leaders of Judaism considered themselves special because of their genealogical connection with Abraham and their social and political power as leaders and authorities of Judaism. They thought they were entitled to sit in judgment of Jesus Christ. They thought themselves righteous and Jesus a blasphemer, because Jesus claimed to be the Christ (Messiah; the Lord’s “anointed;” Mark 14:62), the Savior. Their judgment against Jesus was the opposite, the antithesis, of impartiality and justice. They felt righteous in condemning, insulting and physically abusing Jesus.
The Church today, in many instances, is in much the same condition as Judaism at the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Churches and Christians should examine ourselves and seriously consider whether we haven’t come to consider ourselves worthy of God’s special, preferential treatment because we have been born into the Church, or because we hold positions of responsibility within the Church, while having neglected to be and make disciples who trust and obey Jesus and live according to his Word and the guidance of his Holy Spirit.
In this day many in this world hate Jesus and want to get rid of him. When this world is looking for testimony against Jesus, will we be witnesses for or against him? Though we may claim to be Christian, will our testimony be in agreement with the Bible? When the council asked Jesus if he was the Christ, Jesus answered truthfully, but the council ruled the claim blasphemous with no consideration of the claim or examination of its basis in fact, and then used themselves as witnesses in order to sustain the charge.
By contrast, on the day of the Lord’s Judgment, we will all be judged impartially by the only righteous judge: Jesus Christ. All of the truth will be known, and for everyone there will be only one standard on which the judgment will be based. That standard will be whether we have believed in Jesus and obeyed him as our Lord.
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 16 Pentecost - Odd
First Posted 09/05/05;
Podcast: Tuesday 16 Pentecost - Odd
1 Kings 8:65-9:9 - Solomon’s Prophetic Vision;
James 2:14-26 - Faith and Works;
Mark 14:66-72 - Peter’s Denial;
1 Kings Paraphrase:
The feast following the dedication lasted for seven days. The people had gathered from the northern border of Israel (Hamath) to the southern border (the Brook of Egypt; northwest of Kadesh-barnea) for the dedication and feast. On the eighth day they returned to their homes, rejoicing in the goodness of the Lord.
When King Solomon, the son of David, had finished building the temple, his palace and other buildings, “the Lord appeared to Solomon a second time, as he had appeared to him at Gibeon” (1 Kings 9:2; see 1 Kings 3:5). The Lord told Solomon he had heard and answered Solomon’s prayer to consecrate the temple and put God’s name (his character and power), and his heart and eyes toward the temple forever. God promised Solomon, that if Solomon trusted and obeyed the Lord truly from Solomon’s heart, God would establish the throne of David over Israel forever; there would always be a descendant of David on the throne forever.
But the Lord warned Solomon that if Solomon or the descendants of Israel turned from obedient trust in the Lord and worshiped and served idols, God vowed to “cut off Israel from the land which I have given them; and the house which I have consecrated for my name I will cast out of my sight; and Israel will become a proverb and a byword among all peoples. And this house shall be a heap of ruins; every one passing by will be astonished and will hiss; and they will say, ‘Why has the Lord done thus to this land and to this house?’ Then they will say, 'Because they forsook the Lord their God who brought their fathers out of the Land of Egypt and laid hold on other gods and worshiped them and served them; therefore the Lord has brought all this evil upon them’” (1 Kings 9:6-9).
James Paraphrase:
The author of the Letter of James asks what benefit faith (which he would define as intellectual assent) has if it doesn’t lead to “works” (which he would define as action; not salvation by “keeping” the Law). One cannot be saved by “faith” unaccompanied by “action.” If a brother or sister lacks clothing and food, simply agreeing that they need clothing and food does not relieve their need. The author concludes that real “faith” does not exist apart from “action.”
Some may (falsely) claim to have faith without the actions which confirm and demonstrate faith, but our actions reveal what we truly believe regardless of what we say we believe. (I prefer to define faith as “obedient trust,” which I believe agrees with James' definition). One who claims to believe that God is the only true God (or who “believes” in Jesus Christ), but who does not act in obedient trust is no more “righteous” or better off than demons, who all “believe” in God and in Jesus Christ, but do not obey them (James 2:19; Mark 5:7-8).
Faith without corresponding action is barren (it does not produce the fruit of salvation within the “believer”). Abraham trusted and obeyed God and it was demonstrated by his actions: he offered his son Isaac as a sacrifice as the Lord had commanded (Genesis 22:1-14; note that Abraham was obedient to the Lord by faith before the Covenant of Law was given; Galatians 3:6-18). Abraham acted according to his faith, and his faith was completed by action. “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3-25).
Mark Paraphrase:
Peter, one of the Twelve original disciples of Jesus, had followed, at a distance, the mob which had arrested Jesus in Gethsemane, and had entered the courtyard of the Caiaphas, the high priest. He was warming him self by a fire with the guards. One of the maids of the high priest noticed him and identified Peter as one of those who had been with Jesus of Nazareth, but Peter denied it, saying that he didn’t know what she was talking about.
Peter moved out to the gateway (forecourt) and again the maid noticed him and began to tell the others that Peter was one of the followers of Jesus, but again Peter denied it. A little while later, bystanders told Peter that the he must be a follower of Jesus since he was apparently a Galilean.
Peter began to invoke a curse upon himself, and made an oath declaring that he did not know Jesus of Nazareth, of whom they were speaking. Immediately a cock crowed a second time. Peter remembered that Jesus had prophesied that Peter would deny Jesus three times before the cock had crowed twice that night, and Peter broke down and wept.
Commentary:
God’s Word contains both good news and bad news. It is good news containing great promises for those who trust and obey it, and bad news and condemnation for those who don’t. In the first appearance of the Lord to Solomon at Gibeon, when Solomon had asked for and received divine wisdom to rule God’s people, it was that visitation which caused Solomon to begin to restore worship of the Lord at Jerusalem before the ark of the covenant, and ultimately in the temple which he built (1 Kings 3:.2-4a, 15; worship on the “high places” was a pagan practice of the Canaanites, which Israel had adopted).
At the second appearance of the Lord to Solomon, the Lord’s promise to David that David’s son would build the temple had been fulfilled. The Lord had told David that if he and his descendants trusted and obeyed the Lord with all their hearts, that the Lord would fulfill the promise to David of an eternal dynasty of the throne of David. The promise applied to all the people of Israel as well.
The Lord warned that if the descendants of David and of Israel turned aside from obedient trust and began to worship and serve other gods, God vowed that he would remove the people from the Promised Land which God had given them, “and Israel will become a proverb and a byword (an example; a warning) among all people” (1 Kings 9:6-7). Also, the temple will be destroyed and become a heap of ruins. People will realize that the disaster had come upon Israel because Israel had forsaken their Lord and God who had delivered them from slavery in Egypt and had worshipped and served other gods (idols).
God’s Word is absolutely reliable and it is eternal. God’s Word is fulfilled over and over as the conditions for its fulfillment are met; having been once fulfilled doesn’t mean that it won’t be fulfilled again and again. God’s prophetic revelation to Solomon began to be fulfilled in the reign of Solomon.
Solomon started out well but finished badly. He had a harem of a thousand women, many of whom were foreign and worshipped idols. Solomon first tolerated their idolatry and then began to adopt idolatry himself. Solomon’s kingdom declined from the glory and greatness of Solomon’s wisdom and wealth, to the point where at Solomon’s death it was divided into two kingdoms: the northern kingdom of ten tribes, and the southern kingdom of Judah, the tribe of David and Solomon, and Benjamin, the tribe of King Saul.
The Northern Kingdom of Israel turned aside from obedience to the Lord and to idolatry. They failed to heed the warnings of the prophets to repent and return to obedience to the Lord, and in 721 B.C., Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom, was conquered by the Assyrians. The Israelites of the ten tribes were deported to other conquered lands and aliens from those lands were brought into Israel. The Northern ten tribes effectively ceased to exist, and the intermingling of the aliens with the remnant of those tribes who had avoided deportation created the racially mixed and religiously adulterated Samaritans.
The example of the fate of the Northern Kingdom should have been a warning to the Kingdom of Judah, the remnant of Israel, but they followed the same pattern of turning from obedience to the Lord to the worship of idols, and they ignored the warnings of the prophets. As a result Jerusalem was conquered by Nebuchadnezzar in 587 B.C., the temple was destroyed, and the remnant of Israel was carried off into captivity in Babylon for seventy years, fulfilling the prophecy of Jeremiah 25:12. Israel was allowed to return to the Promised Land after seventy years, counting from the destruction of Solomon’s Temple in 587 B.C. until it was rebuilt (the Second Temple) in 517 B.C.
The Second Temple had stood for five hundred years and was in deteriorating condition when Herod the Great (the King who tried to destroy the Messiah, Jesus, as an infant; Matthew 2:7-18), wanting to gain favor with the Jews, began building a new temple (Herod’s Temple) It was not yet completed at the time of Jesus. The Jews had not learned or remembered the lessons of the Babylonian exile, and as a result, they were not prepared for the coming of Jesus Christ.
Instead of worshiping and serving Jesus they worshiped the idols of self, wealth, power, social status and public acclaim. Because they did not receive Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Son of David, the Lord’s anointed eternal king and heir to the throne of David, God’s Word of warning to Solomon (1 Kings 9:6-9) was fulfilled again. The temple, only completed in 65 A.D., was destroyed in 70 A.D. by the Romans. The Jewish people were scattered throughout the world, and Israel as a nation ceased to exist. Only since World War II has Israel been reestablished as a nation; the temple has never been rebuilt.
The history of God’s relationship with Israel, God’s people, has been recorded in scripture for our instruction (1 Corinthians 10:11-12), and should be a warning to America (as well as other “Christian” nations) and also to the Church. In one sense both America and the Church are each the New Israel and the New People of God.
In many instances America and the Church are in situations very similar to Israel and Judaism at the time of Jesus’ first advent (coming; his earthly ministry). Christians and the Church need to honestly examine ourselves. Saving faith in Jesus Christ is not just intellectual assent. Faith is not like wishing on a star or on a birthday candle; faith is not getting whatever you believe if you believe “hard enough.” Faith is claiming the promises of God’s Word by obedient trust in Jesus Christ.
Faith is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey him (John 14:15-17). 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). It is possible to know with certainty for oneself whether one has received the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2).
Peter was sure he was ready to follow Jesus anywhere, and even die with Jesus; he didn’t believe Jesus’ prophecy that Peter would deny Jesus. (Mark 14:29-31). He didn’t heed Jesus’ warning to pray to not enter temptation (Mark 14:37-38). Jesus’ words are absolutely true and reliable; what Jesus’ says will be fulfilled.
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 16 Pentecost - Odd
First Posted 09/206/05;
Podcast: Wednesday 16 Pentecost - Odd
1 Kings 9:24-10:13 - The Queen of Sheba;
James 3:1-12 - The Tongue;
Mark 15:1-11 - Jesus Before Pilate;
1 Kings Paraphrase:
King Solomon had married Pharaoh’s daughter (1 Kings 3:1) and built a house for her. Then he built the Millo (believed to be an area south of the temple that was built up with rubble behind a retaining wall.) Solomon had priestly duties, and conducted sacrifices three times a year. Solomon had a fleet of ships in Ezion-geber in the Gulf of Aqabah (the north-eastern fork of the Red Sea). Hiram, King of Tyre, had collaborated with Solomon to build the temple, and he sent sailors with Solomon’s servants to Ophir (possibly in Southern Arabia) and brought back a hundred and twenty talents of gold (estimated at thirty thousand dollars per talent, as of 1952*).
The Queen of Sheba (probably in southwestern Arabia; modern Yemen) heard of Solomon’s wisdom, and came to test him and see for herself. She came in a large caravan and carrying a large amount of spices, gold, and jewels. She had a number of questions prepared and Solomon answered them all correctly. Having experienced his wisdom and seen his palace, his elegant meals, the members of his court, their fine clothing, and the lavish sacrifices in the temple, she was awed.
She told Solomon that all she had heard about Solomon’s wisdom and wealth were not only true but understated. The Queen was sure that Solomon’s wives must be very happy, and his servants must be happy to be able to hear Solomon’s great wisdom. She blessed (praised) the Lord God of Israel who had been delighted by Solomon, and had made him king. She recognized that the Lord had loved Israel with eternal love, and had made Solomon King so that he could govern them in righteousness and give them justice. She gave Solomon a hundred and twenty talents of gold and great quantities of spices and jewels.
The fleet of vessels commanded by Hiram’s men, which had brought gold from Ophir, also brought back almug wood (sandalwood) and precious stones. The almug wood was used in the temple, the palace and for musical instruments. The wealth of Israel during Solomon’s reign was never surpassed. Solomon gave the Queen of Sheba lavish gifts in return before she left for her own land.
James Paraphrase:
The author of the Letter of James says that those who are leaders and teachers in the Church will be judged with greater strictness. In our human nature we all make many mistakes, but we should grow in self-discipline of our bodies. As horses are guided by a bit in their mouths and ships are guided by a rudder small in comparison to the size of the vessel, so we also should keep our tongues under self-control. Great forests can be destroyed by what begins as a small flame. Likewise, great disaster can be caused by a few intemperate words.
The tongue is like a flame, and is an unruly member within our bodies which contaminates our whole body; it is kindled by Hell and can destroy our entire lives. All animals can be tamed and taught to obey humans, but the tongue is a beast that resists our control; “it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:8b).
The same tongue is used to bless and to curse. We should not allow that to happen. A spring produces either fresh or foul water, and we expect a fruit tree to bear fruit according to its nature; figs from a fig; olives from an olive; grapes from a grapevine.
Mark Paraphrase:
Jesus had been arrested and detained at the house of Caiaphas, the high priest. When morning came, the Jewish council (Sanhedrin) met and decided to deliver him to the Pontius Pilate, the Roman administrator of Judea, for execution. Pilate asked Jesus if he was King of the Jews. Jesus answered, “You have said so” (Mark 15:2b). The Jews made many accusations against Jesus, and Pilate asked Jesus to respond to the charges but Jesus said nothing, which Pilate found puzzling.
It was the Feast of Unleavened Bread, (the seven-day spring harvest festival, beginning with the Passover meal commemorating the exodus from Egypt; on this occasion it became the Lord’s Last Supper). Pilate had made a practice of pardoning a Jewish prisoner during the feast. Among those in prison was a notorious criminal named Barabbas, who had committed murder during a Jewish insurrection.
Pilate suspected that the Jewish religious leaders had wanted Jesus executed because they were jealous (of Jesus’ popularity and influence). A crowd had gathered, and Pilate asked them if they wanted the King of the Jews released according to Pilate’s custom, but the religious leaders stirred up the crowd to ask for Barabbas instead. Pilate asked the crowd what he should do with Jesus and they told Pilate to crucify him. Pilate asked what evil Jesus had done to deserve crucifixion, but they just kept demanding Jesus’ crucifixion. So Pilate ordered the release of Barabbas and had Jesus scourged and crucified.
Commentary:
The Queen of Sheba had heard of Solomon’s wisdom and wealth and had come to test him and see for herself. She found that Solomon’s reputation was true and that Solomon’s wisdom and riches were even greater than she had heard.
Solomon is the Son of David, the Lord’s anointed king and he is the forerunner and illustration of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The Queen of Sheba symbolizes the worldly leaders who come to see and acknowledge Jesus as the King of Kings. The Queen of Sheba acknowledged that the Lord God of Israel loved his people with eternal love, and had given his anointed king, the Son of David, to rule his people in righteousness and justice.
The author of the letter of James warns us that our tongues can bless us or condemn us, depending on how we use them. Each one of us will be accountable for what we have said and done with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have all heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ; of his wisdom and spiritual riches to those who come to him and accept him as their Lord. We are invited to come to him and to see if his reputation is true and accurate. If we recognize that the Lord God of Israel has given us his anointed Son to rule us in righteousness and give us justice, we will honor him with our gifts and he will reward us in return.
Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise to send the King of the Jews, the Savior (to save us from eternal destruction), God’s anointed eternal heir to the throne of David, the righteous and just ruler of God’s people. The Jewish religious leaders accused Jesus of claiming to be the King of the Jews, but Jesus never made that claim, although its truth should be obvious.
Jesus referred to himself as the Son of man, which is true and which also hints that he is God’s Messiah (see Daniel 7:13), but which allows his hearers to come to their own conclusion. Jesus answered truthfully that it was not he, but the Jews and Pilate who had called Jesus the King of the Jews. Pilate found Jesus not guilty of any crime deserving execution, but he gave in to the will of the Jewish people, who were stirred up by their spiritual leaders. Pilate asked the Jews what he should do with Jesus and they demanded his crucifixion.
The Jewish religious leaders led their people astray. They received the consequences of their rejection of Jesus. Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D. and the Jewish people were scattered throughout the world. Israel ceased to exist as a nation, until re-established following World War II. The temple has never been rebuilt.
Who do you say that Jesus is (Matthew 16:13-16)? 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)?
*The Oxford Annotated Bible, Revised Standard Version, Ed. by Herbert G. May and Bruce M. Metzger, 1 Kings 9:10-14n, p. 430, New York, Oxford University Press, 1962.
RSV New Testament copyright 1952, Division of Christian Education of The National Council of Churches of Christ, USA.
Thursday 16 Pentecost - Odd
First Posted 09/07/05;
Podcast: Thursday 16 Pentecost - Odd
1 Kings 11:1-13 - Solomon’s Downfall;
James 3:13-4:12 - Godliness versus Worldliness;
Mark 15:12-21 - Jesus Crucified;
1 Kings Paraphrase:
King Solomon, David’s son, loved many foreign women. In addition to the daughter of Pharaoh, he married Moabite, Ammonite, Sidonian and Hittite women, which the Lord had expressly forbidden (Deuteronomy 7:1-4) because they would turn the heart of the Israelites from the Lord to idols. Solomon had a thousand wives and concubines, and they turned Solomon’s heart from obedient trust in the Lord God to the worship of idols. So Solomon worshiped Ashtoreth, the Sidonian goddess, and Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
Solomon did what was evil in God’s sight and did not follow the Lord with his whole heart as David had done. Solomon built an altar to Chemosh, the idol of Moab, and Molech, the abomination of the Ammonites, on the mountain east of Jerusalem. Solomon provided altars and allowed his foreign wives to worship their idols.
The Lord was angry with Solomon because Solomon had violated a direct commandment of the Lord, with whom he had had personal fellowship, so the Lord declared that the kingdom would be ripped from Solomon. But the Lord was merciful to Solomon by granting that the kingdom would be torn from Solomon’s heir, rather than himself, and that Solomon’s son would be king of one tribe for the sake of David the servant of the Lord.
James Paraphrase:
Those who are truly wise and understanding will be revealed by their good life and good deeds; their wisdom will be demonstrated by humility. Jealousy and ambition are not admirable or in accordance with the Gospel truth. That kind of wisdom is worldly rather than divine; it is unspiritual and devilish. Jealousy and selfish ambition produce disorder and evil, but divine wisdom produces pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, merciful, good fruit without uncertainty or insincerity. Righteousness is reaped by those who sow peace.
Wars and fighting are caused by lusts at war in our bodies of flesh. The lust to possess causes murder. Covetousness leads to war. Our lack is because we have not asked, and we have not received because we do not ask rightly, but selfishly, to indulge ourselves. Those who love this world are hostile toward God. God has given his spirit to govern us and he is jealous when we allow other spirits to dominate us.
The proud will be opposed by God, but the humble will receive grace (unmerited favor; a free gift). We must learn to submit to God’s will and resist the temptations of Satan. If we desire closeness with God we must draw near to him. We must cleanse our hearts and hands. If we desire reconciliation with God we must recognize our failings and mourn our sinfulness. Let us not rejoice in our sinfulness but humble ourselves and he will restore and exalt us.
Mark Paraphrase:
Pilate asked the Jews what they wanted him to do with Jesus and they demanded Jesus’ crucifixion. Pilate asked them what Jesus had done to deserve crucifixion and they kept on demanding, without justification. Pilate gave in to their demand. Barabbas, the murderer, was pardoned, and Jesus was condemned to be crucified.
A large number of Roman soldiers took Jesus within the Palace of the Roman governor, and began to mock and abuse him. They made a crown of thorns and placed it on Jesus’ head, and they put a purple cloak on him (purple was reserved for royalty). They ridiculed him as the King of the Jews, and knelt down in homage before him. They struck his head with a reed and spat on him.
When they were finished mocking him they put his own clothes back on him and led him away to be crucified. Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his return from the country, and the Romans compelled him to carry Jesus’ cross.
Commentary:
Solomon had been blessed. He had been made King of Israel; he had been given great divine wisdom, wealth and honor. He had a thousand wives and concubines. But Solomon forgot who had given him all these blessings. He disobeyed God’s command to not marry the women of the idolatrous natives of the land (Deuteronomy 7:1-4). By his disobedience Solomon lost the blessings God had promised. His life failed to produce the “fruit” of wisdom. Solomon ended up trading his God-given wisdom for worldliness.
True wisdom and understanding will be revealed by good lives, good deeds and humility. Jealousy, ambition, and human arrogance produce disorder and evil. Sin (disobedience of God's Word) is the result of the lusts of our human flesh. God is the giver of every good thing. Our lack of blessings indicates our lack of obedient trust in the Lord. Godliness and worldliness cannot exist together in one person, because one who has a friendship with this world makes God his enemy (and the friend of God is hated by the world). Therefore the author urges his hearers to resist the devil and submit themselves to God.
The Jews’ rejection of Jesus was the result of their jealousy and personal ambition (Mark 15: 10). They demanded Jesus’ crucifixion without consideration of justice or reason. The Jews traded the promised Messiah, the Savior of the world, for a murderer and insurrectionist. Instead of upholding justice, Pilate gave in to popular demand.
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 16 Pentecost - Odd
First Posted 09/08/05;
Podcast: Friday 16 Pentecost - Odd
1 Kings 11:26-43 - Solomon’s Adversaries;
James 4:13-5:6 - Worldly Pride and Riches;
Mark 15:22-32 - Jesus Crucified;
1 Kings Paraphrase:
Jeroboam, of the tribe of Ephraim, conspired against King Solomon, the son of David. Solomon had used forced labor to build the Millo, an infilling of rubble behind a retaining wall, probably sealing the central (Tyropoeon) valley and the northern wall of the “City (Citadel) of David” in Jerusalem. Solomon saw that Jeroboam was competent and industrious, and appointed Jeroboam as supervisor of all the forced labor of the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh.
Jeroboam traveled outside Jerusalem and happened to encounter Ahijah, a prophet, on the road. Ahijah was wearing a new robe. Ahijah took off his robe and tore it into twelve pieces, and told Jeroboam to take ten pieces for himself. The prophet told Jeroboam that the Lord was about to tear the kingdom from Solomon and would give ten tribes to Jeroboam. The Lord will leave one tribe to perpetuate the throne of David for David’s sake and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city which the Lord had chosen from all the tribes of Israel.
The kingdom would be removed from Solomon’s descendants because Solomon had forsaken the Lord and had worshiped foreign idols. Solomon had not obeyed God’s commandments. Abijah declared that the Lord had chosen Jeroboam to reign over the ten tribes of the Kingdom of Israel. Abijah prophesied that if Jeroboam obeyed the Lord’s commandments as David had, the Lord would be with Jeroboam and would build a dynasty from the descendants of Jeroboam, as the Lord had done for David. The Lord declared that he would afflict the descendants of David (by Solomon), but not forever.
Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam, but Jeroboam escaped into Egypt where he remained until Solomon’s death (as Jesus and his parents later escaped into Egypt until King Herod the Great died; The book of the acts of Solomon is one of the sources from which the books of 1 & 2 Kings was compiled). Solomon reigned about forty years, as had David (1 Kings 2:11). Solomon died and was buried in the city of David in Jerusalem and his Son, Rehoboam assumed the throne.
James Paraphrase:
It is human arrogance to make plans for the future, when we cannot know what tomorrow will bring. We can make plans, but we can fulfill them only by God’s will. Instead of boasting about what we intend to accomplish, we would do better to acknowledge, seek, and be guided by God’s will. “Whoever knows what is right to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” (James 4:17).
Those who are rich in worldly, material possessions are warned that miseries and mourning are coming upon them. Their riches will rot, their fine clothes will be moth-eaten, their gold and silver will turn to rust, and their rust will testify against them. Their flesh will be consumed by fire; they have stored up fire (punishment; James 5:3b RSV note “e”) for the last days.
The rich have become rich at the expense of their servants. The cries of the poor have been heard by the Lord. Those who have lived in luxury and pleasure on earth have fattened themselves for slaughter. Those who are rich and powerful in this world have condemned and killed those who are righteous, because the righteous put up no resistance.
Mark Paraphrase:
Jesus was taken by Roman soldiers to the place of crucifixion, called Golgotha, which means the place of the skull. There they offered him wine mixed with myrrh (as a sedative) but Jesus did not take it. It was about 9:00 A.M. when they crucified Jesus, and then they divided his clothes by casting lots (like rolling dice) to determine who got what. They placed a sign on the cross indicating the charge against him, “The King of the Jews” (Mark 15:26; compare John 19:19).
Bystanders taunted him saying that Jesus had claimed that he would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, and challenged him to save himself and come down from the cross. The priests and scribes (teachers of scripture), also taunted Jesus, saying that Jesus was better at saving others than in saving himself. “Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe” (Mark 15: 32a). The criminals crucified with Jesus also spoke abusively against him (one did; the other rebuked the first criminal, according to Luke 23:39-43).
Commentary:
David was the forerunner and illustration of the Messiah, God’s anointed eternal king (Messiah and Christ both mean “anointed” in Hebrew and Greek, respectively). David was obedient to the Lord (a man after God's own heart, who would do all God’s will; Acts 13:22; compare Psalm 89:20). Solomon was the Son of David, the Lord’s anointed king, but he turned away from obedient trust in the Lord and served and worshiped idols, so the Lord tore the kingdom from him. Solomon had become a “worldly” ruler. God had given him divine wisdom, wealth and honor, but he hadn’t used them for the Lord. His son, Rehoboam, became king of Judah only, a much reduced kingdom, only because of God’s mercy, and his love and faithfulness for David.
Solomon intended to pass on the united Kingdom of Israel to his son, but God had other plans. Solomon wanted to destroy his rival, Jeroboam, but although Solomon was rich and powerful, Jeroboam escaped his attempt because it was God’s will for Jeroboam to be king of the ten tribes of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Solomon’s wealth, wisdom, and pleasures did him no good. He died and was buried and left all that behind.
Herod the Great wanted to eliminate Jesus as an infant, because Jesus was his rival as King of Israel, but Herod wasn’t any more successful than Solomon had been, because his plan was contrary to God’s will (Matthew 2:1-23).
We can make our own plans, but ultimately God’s purpose will be accomplished, whether we cooperate with his will or not. If we oppose God’s plan, the gift of his eternal kingdom, his divine wisdom and spiritual riches will be torn from us. We may have worldly wealth, wisdom, power and pleasure, but that is all, and for this lifetime only. We will die, and then we will face the Lord’s Judgment (not “nothingness;” not “reincarnation; Hebrews 9:27; John 5:28-29).
Mourning and misery for all eternity will be the fate of those who have not been “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) by the gift of the Holy Spirit through obedient trust in Jesus Christ (John 14:15-17). Jesus is God’s only plan for our salvation from eternal death, eternal misery and mourning (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home).
The rich and powerful in this world have always killed the righteous (beginning with Cain and Able; Genesis 4:1-12) because the righteous offer no resistance. Jesus’ crucifixion is the ultimate demonstration of that truth. The Jewish leaders wanted to destroy Jesus for the same reason Solomon and Herod wanted to destroy their rivals.
Jesus never claimed to be the King of the Jews (or the Son of God). He referred to himself as the Son of man, which is true and which also hints that he is the Messiah (Daniel 7:13), while allowing each of us to decide for ourselves who Jesus is. Jesus is the Messiah, the Lord’s anointed eternal King, but the Jewish religious authorities refused to believe it.
Jesus has been God’s plan for this Creation from the very beginning, and has been “built into” the very structure of Creation (John 1:1-5, 14). The meaning and purpose of this life is to seek and come to a personal relationship with the Lord (Acts 17:26-27). God’s plan has always been to create an eternal kingdom of his people who trust and obey him. This life is our opportunity to choose for ourselves where we will spend eternity.
Jesus had to die on the cross to fulfill God’s plan. It isn’t that Jesus couldn’t come down from the cross; he chose to trust and obey God the Father’s plan. His sacrifice on the cross made our forgiveness and salvation possible. His death and resurrection demonstrated the truth of life beyond physical death. His death and resurrection also made it possible for each of us who trust and obey Jesus to be filled with the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit (John 16:7)
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 16 Pentecost - Odd
First posted 09/09/05;
Podcast: Saturday 16 Pentecost - Odd
1 Kings 12:1-20 - Divided Kingdom;
James 5:7-20 - Effective Prayer;
Mark 15:33-39 - Torn Curtain;
1 Kings Summary:
All the people of Israel had assembled at Shechem, the capital of the ten northern tribes, to make Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Israel. Jeroboam (who had been prophesied by Ahijah to be king of the ten northern tribes: 1 Kings 11:31) had heard in Egypt, where he had fled from Solomon, that the king was dead, and he too came to Shechem. He and the people of the ten tribes told Rehoboam that Solomon’s policy of forced labor had been too burdensome, and that if Rehoboam would reduce the demand for forced labor they would be willing to serve him as king. Rehoboam asked for three days time to deliberate.
Rehoboam sought counsel from his advisors. The older advisors who had been Solomon’s advisors told Rehoboam that if he served the people at that time by granting their request and speaking kindly to them, Israel would serve him forever. Then Rehoboam sought a “second opinion” from the young advisors of his own generation, and they advised him to say, “My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins” (that he was more of a “man” than his father had been; 1 Kings 12:10d), that he would require more forced labor than his father had, and that his chastisement would be more severe than his father’s.
When Israel returned on the third day to hear Rehoboam’s decision, Rehoboam followed the council of his young advisors, rather than listening to and serving the people as his older advisors had recommended, thus fulfilling the prophecy of the Lord by Ahijah to Jeroboam.
When the people of Israel realized that Rehoboam had refused to hear and do what they had requested they replied that they had no portion in the inheritance of David, the son of Jesse. The ten tribes of northern Israel would go their own way, and the house of David would be on its own.
King Rehoboam sent Adoram, the taskmaster of the forced labor, to conscript laborers from the ten tribes, and they stoned him to death, so Rehoboam was forced to flee to Jerusalem. The ten northern tribes assembled and made Jeroboam their king, and Rehoboam reigned only over Judah, fulfilling the prophecy of Ahijah.
James Summary:
Christians are encouraged to patiently await the “Second Coming” of the Lord, like a farmer waits patiently for the harvest. Our hearts must be focused on Jesus’ return, (rather than allowing them to be drawn away to the things of this world). We must not complain but instead forgive one another, if we don’t want to come under judgment ourselves.
Jesus is coming to judge the earth (Matthew 25:31-46), and his coming is imminent. We’re encouraged to follow the example of the prophets of the Lord who endured suffering with patience. Those who are steadfast will be the ones who have true happiness. Job is an example of faith and patient endurance. Christians have experienced the goodness of the Lord’s purpose and his mercy and compassion toward us.
Christians should avoid swearing by anything in earth or heaven, so as not to come under condemnation. In suffering, let us pray; in joy, let us sing praise; in sickness, let us call for the church elders to anoint us with oil in the name of the Lord and to pray for us. “The prayer of faith will save the sick…and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven” (James 5:15; see Conditions for Answered Prayer, sidebar, top right, home).
We should confess our sins and pray for one another, so that we can be healed. “The prayer of a righteous [person] has great power in its effect” (James 5:16; see Conditions for Answered Prayer, sidebar, top right, home). Elijah, the prophet, is an example of the power of the prayer of faith by a righteous person (1 Kings 17:1, 18:1).
It is the responsibility of Christians to restore those who have strayed from the truth (God’s Word). Those who restore sinners to obedient trust in the Lord be rewarded with eternal life and complete forgiveness.
Mark Summary:
Jesus had been crucified at around nine a.m. From around noon to about three p.m. there was darkness over the land. At three p.m. Jesus cried out, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabach-thani? which means, 'My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?’” (He was quoting and fulfilling the prophecy of Psalm 22 at that moment.) Some of the bystanders thought he was calling Elijah, and one of them gave Jesus a sponge full of soured wine extended to him on a reed, attempting to prolong his life to see whether Elijah would come and save him.
Jesus made a loud cry and stopped breathing. “And the curtain of the temple (separating the congregation from God’s presence in the holy-of-holies) was torn in two, from top to bottom.” (Mark 15:38). The Centurion who stood facing Jesus saw that Jesus had stopped breathing, and declared, “Truly this man was the Son of God” (Mark 15:39).
Commentary:
Rehoboam had assumed the throne of David but it was not God’s will for him to rule God’s people. God had allowed him to reign over Judah only, because of God’s mercy, and his love and faithfulness for David. Rehoboam chose to follow worldly counsel rather than seeking divine wisdom as Solomon had. He chose to rule harshly rather than in love and consideration for his people.
Because Rehoboam had no compassion for the suffering of the people and chose not to show mercy, the Kingdom was divided, and he lost control of all but a small part of what he would otherwise have had. (The rest of Israel, because they had no more patience with Rehoboam, split from the Lord’s chosen King, to follow another.)
The author of James urges his hearers to not to grow impatient, not to be distracted, or led in some conflicting direction, as they wait for the promise of Jesus to return. Jesus didn’t deviate from the path he knew would lead him to the cross.
Jesus is the complete opposite of Rehoboam. Jesus is the Lord’s anointed eternal king. Jesus is the wisdom and Word of God in human flesh (1 Corinthians 1:24; John 1:1-5, 14). He is completely obedient to God’s will. Jesus came the first time to serve us; to die for our sins (Mark 10:45); to demonstrate the goodness of God’s will and purpose; to demonstrate the truth of life beyond physical death. When we see his love and goodness toward us, we will be glad to serve him forever in love.
In a sense we are all like Rehoboam. Jesus is the anointed eternal king, but we are allowed to reign over our corner of the world because of God’s mercy for us, and because of his love and faithfulness to Jesus. We can follow Jesus’ example and serve and care for our neighbors and brethren, or we can follow Rehoboam’s path; we can follow worldly wisdom and deal selfishly and ruthlessly with others. Rehoboam’s kingdom isn’t eternal; Jesus’ kingdom is.
Christians are to carry on Jesus’ ministry. We’re to care about those who are slaves to sin, and offer them the release from the “yoke” of sin which is only possible through obedient trust in Jesus Christ. We’re to care about our brethren who stray from the Gospel truth; from discipleship and obedient trust in Jesus. We must be forgiving rather than condemning. We’re to pray for and care for the suffering and for the physically and spiritually sick. We must examine ourselves and be willing to repent and amend our shortcomings.
At Jesus’ lowest point, just before his death, he cried out, quoting Psalm 22, fulfilling in that moment that Psalm’s prophetic vision. Spectators didn’t understand what he was saying, but thought he was calling for Elijah to rescue him. One of the spectators tried to keep Jesus alive (and suffering), “enduring” a little longer so he could see whether Elijah would come, totally unconcerned with Jesus’ welfare. If Elijah had come, the spectator would perhaps have had a momentary thrill, some bit of “news” to share with his friends, but it wouldn’t have saved his soul.
The curtain of the temple was torn in two at the moment of Jesus’ death. Believers see that as a supernatural sign that Jesus’ death opened the way into personal fellowship with the Lord through the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit.
Salvation isn’t in Elijah’s name (or even “Jehovah”), but only in Jesus’ name: “Let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you well… And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts4:10, 12).
In order for Jesus to be able to offer that salvation he had to remain on the cross and die. In order for that spectator to receive salvation he would have had to believe that Jesus was the Son of God, and confess him as Lord. Contrast that spectator’s response to Jesus’ death on the cross with the response of the Roman Centurion who declared “Truly this man was the Son of God.”
Only Jesus gives the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:32-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). “Born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) Christian disciples personally experience the goodness of God’s will and purpose, and his love and mercy toward us. We testify of him and offer his forgiveness and salvation from eternal condemnation and death to our neighbors, through obedient trust in Jesus. Jesus is God’s only provision for our forgiveness and salvation (Acts 4:12; 14:6; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home).
Do we miss the blessings that God intends for us because we don’t consider the needs of anyone but ourselves? When we’re confronted with the Cross of Jesus, do we demand some further dramatic sign from heaven in order to believe? Are we willing to endure hardship and persecution for Jesus’ name?
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)?
