11 Pentecost

11 Pentecost - Sunday
first posted 07/30/05

2 Samuel 1:17-27, David’s Elegy for Saul and Jonathan

Romans 12:9-21, Christian Duty

Matthew 25:31-46 The Great Judgment

David composed this lament and recommended that it be taught to the people of Judah; it was written in the Book of Jashar, (or The Upright; a book of Hebrew poetry). The glory of Israel, Saul, the first king, once mighty, has fallen in battle and from glory. May it not be publicized in Gath and Ashkelon (Philistine cities). Let the mountains of Gilboa (Saul’s encampment, where he died) be cursed with drought, because Saul’s shield was defiled there. Saul and Jonathan did not hesitate to slay the enemy.

“Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely! In life and in death they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions” (2 Samuel 1:23). Israel had prospered under Saul’s leadership but now the once mighty have fallen in battle.

Jonathan has been slain in the high place. David mourns for him as for a brother whose kindness and love surpassed that of a woman. The weapons of war have perished.

Christians are to demonstrate genuine brotherly love for others, not just for fellow Christians but also for those who persecute them. We are to share in both joy and suffering with one another. We are to live in harmony with one another, not being haughty or conceited. We should never return evil for evil or seek our own vengeance but leave that to the Lord. Instead we should do good to our enemies, so that they might be ashamed of their treatment of us. We can overcome evil with good, instead of being overcome by evil.

Jesus declared that he (the Son of man) will return in glory and power and will be enthroned, with all his angels surrounding him. All the nations will be assembled before his throne, and he will separate the righteous from the unrighteous, as a shepherd separates sheep from goats. Those who have applied Jesus’ teachings in their lives will receive eternal life in his heavenly kingdom, but those who have not lived according to Jesus teachings will receive eternal punishment in Hell.

Saul hadn’t obeyed God’s Word so God took his anointing from Saul and gave it to David (1 Samuel 16:13-14). Saul had been destroyed by his jealousy of David and his disobedience of God’s Word. Saul had been warned by Samuel that God was going to take the kingdom from Saul (1 Samuel 15:28), but Saul didn’t offer to repent and return to obedience of God’s Word until it was too late.

Saul hated David and had become David’s enemy, but David continued to love Saul and honor him as much as he loved Jonathan. Jonathan and Saul were both killed in battle but Jonathan had been faithful to his covenant of love for David, and Saul had been David’s enemy. David overcame evil with good.

Saul represents worldly leaders who pursue their own self-interest instead of obeying God’s Word. Jonathan and David both represent Christian disciples, and they both are forerunners and illustrations of the Christ, who is the ultimate fulfillment of prophecy of the Lord’s anointed eternal king. In a sense Jonathan gave his life for his friend and for God’s people as a human sacrifice on a “high place,” a traditional place for an altar and animal sacrifice.

Saul also died there, but his death was the fulfillment of scripture and prophecy that God would tear the kingdom from Saul’s grasp. Jesus’ crucifixion was the ultimate sacrifice on a “high place” called Golgotha (a limestone outcropping slightly elevated above the surrounding area) once for all time and all people who receive it by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus (See God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

Jesus taught his disciples to obey his commandment to love one another, their enemies as well as their friends. Paul was passing that teaching on to the new disciples in the Roman church. Is the Church today making disciples and teaching them to obey Jesus’ teachings?

There is a Day of Judgment coming when everyone who has ever lived will be accountable to the Lord for what they have done in this life. Those who have trusted and obeyed Jesus will receive eternal life in Heaven; but those who have rejected Jesus and have refused to obey him will receive eternal destruction in Hell. Only through obedient trust in Jesus, by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit is it possible to fulfill the commandment of love.

Jesus warned that it is not those who call Jesus “Lord,” and who call themselves “Christians,” who will be saved from eternal punishment, but those who have trusted and obeyed Jesus (Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46) and have received the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. 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).

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? 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)?

Alternative Entry

first posted 08/23/03

2 Sam. 1:17-27 Lament over Saul and Jonathan

Romans 12:9-21 Christian Duty

Matt. 25:31-46 The Great Judgment

David mourned over the death of Saul and Jonathan. David was able to mourn equally for both, even though his relationship with each was nearly opposite. Jonathan was David's steadfast friend, while King Saul was, without justification, his bitter enemy, and yet David was able to say of both that they were the Glory of Israel.... "Saul and Jonathan, Beloved and Lovely". (v 19a, 23a)

The Christian duty is the Law of Love. We are to hate sin but love the sinner. We are to bless those who persecute us, repay no one evil for evil, endeavor to live peaceably with all, and leave vengeance to the wrath of God.

Jesus warned that all will face the Final Judgment before His throne. The wicked will be separated from the righteous. The righteous will enter Eternal Life. The wicked will be sent to eternal punishment.

Jesus is going to come again in Glory - not as the humble suffering servant of His first coming, but as the Exalted Lord of the Universe - to judge everyone on earth. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord! (Phil 2:10-11) The standard of judgment will be Jesus Christ Himself - His perfect fulfillment of the Law of Love. "Since all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, they are justified (judged righteous) by his grace as a gift through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as an expiation (redemption; forgiveness) by His blood, to be received by faith". (Romans 3:23-25a) We will all fail in comparison to Jesus, unless we trust entirely upon His sacrifice on the Cross for our forgiveness!

11 Pentecost - Monday

first posted 07/31/05

2 Samuel 2:1-11, David Made King of Judah

Acts 15:36-16:5, Disagreement Between Paul and Barnabas

Mark 6:14-29 John the Baptizer Beheaded

Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle, and when David got the news he mourned for both. Later David sought guidance from the Lord (since David was the Lord’s anointed and Saul who had previously been the Lord’s anointed was now dead). The Lord told David to go to Hebron, so David went to Hebron with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel (of Judah; not in the Plains of Esdraelon), and Abigail, the widow of Nabal, and with his army. In Hebron, David was anointed King of Judah.

The men of Jabesh-gilead in the territory of Manasseh buried Saul and his sons, out of gratitude for their deliverance from the Ammonites by Saul early in his kingship of Israel (1 Samuel 31:11; 11:1-15). David sent messengers to thank and bless the people of Jabesh-gilead for their loyalty and kindness to Saul. David also hinted that they should consider making David their king, as Judah already had.

David was probably unaware that Abner, the Commander of Saul’s army, had installed Isbosheth, Saul’s son, as King of Israel, who reigned from Mahanaim in Gilead (East of the Jordan. The territory west of the Jordan was still dominated by the Philistines). Isbosheth only reigned a few years, and David continued as King of Judah a number of years after Isbosheth died.

After getting an apostolic decree from Jerusalem exempting Gentile Christians from conforming to the Laws of Moses, such as circumcision, and having taught the congregation in Antioch, Syria, Paul suggested that he and Barnabas return to the churches they had established on their first missionary journey.

Barnabas wanted to take John Mark (Barnabas’ cousin, probable author of the Gospel of Mark), but Paul didn’t think he should be invited again, since Mark had left them in Pamphylia and returned home on the first missionary journey (Acts 13:13). Sharp dissention arose between them and Barnabas and Paul separated. Barnabas took Mark to Cyprus and Paul took Silas and went through Syria and Cilicia to Derbe and Lystra (in modern-day Turkey; by land rather than by sea via Cyprus as on the first trip).

At Lystra there was a disciple named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman and a Greek father. Timothy had a good reputation among the Christians at Lystra and Iconium, and Paul wanted Timothy to accompany them. Paul had Timothy circumcised (probably to avoid antagonizing the Jews in the area) since it was well known that Timothy’s father was a Gentile. As they went, they delivered the apostolic decree to the churches, and the churches grew in faith and numbers.

Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great heard of Jesus’ miracles. Some of the people believed that Jesus was John the Baptizer who had been raised from the dead, and others thought Jesus was Elijah returned (to herald the coming Messiah). Others thought Jesus was a prophet like other biblical prophets of earlier times. Herod was convinced that it was John the Baptizer, whom Herod had beheaded, raised to life again.

Herod had arrested and imprisoned John because John had told Herod that it was not lawful for Herod to have married Herodias, wife of Herod's brother, Philip. For that reason Herodias had a grudge against John and wanted him killed, but Herod feared John as a righteous and holy man, and Herod had kept John safe. John’s message perplexed Herod but Herod was willing and eager to hear it.

But on Herod’s birthday, he gave a lavish banquet for all his administrative officials and political supporters. Herodias’ daughter danced for the group. Herod was so pleased that he extravagantly promised her anything she wanted, even half of his kingdom. The daughter consulted with her mother and then asked for John’s head on a platter. Herod was very sorry to comply, but because of his oath and his potential embarrassment in front of all his friends and supporters, he had John beheaded and the head brought to the daughter who gave it to her mother. John’s disciples heard of his execution and took his body and placed it in a tomb.

David sought God’s will and was led to move to Hebron. David was the Lord’s anointed, but Abner, the commander of Saul’s army, wanted to retain his worldly power instead of seeking and yielding to God’s will, so he installed Saul’s son, Ishbosheth, as king of Israel, dividing Israel into two kingdoms. The Lord prospered David in the growth of his kingdom, but Isbosheth’s kingship didn’t last.

The circumcision party (Pharisee converts who insisted that the Gentile Christians must obey the Laws of Moses, including circumcision) caused dissention in the first century church, by advocating requirements based on their own will and understanding, rather than seeking God’s will. The dissention had to be resolved by an apostolic decree guided by God’s revealed will (Acts 15:1-29).

Paul and Barnabas had an argument over John Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. Barnabas wanted to take him along, and Paul had opposed it because John Mark had abandoned the missionary work and returned home from the first missionary journey. Ultimately Barnabas took John Mark with him and revisited churches in Cyprus, while Paul took Silas and went to the churches in Asia Minor by a different land route.

It may be that Barnabas’ decision was based on his worldly interests, his relationship with John Mark, rather than the will of God. Paul and Silas, in contrast, were obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Paul discipled Timothy on the journey, and they were guided by the Holy Spirit to take the gospel for the first time to the European continent (Acts 16:7-12).

Herod was open to the Gospel. He was interested in hearing John the Baptizer, even though John’s message convicted Herod’s conscience. Herod recognized John as a righteous and holy man, and Herod wanted to protect and preserve John’s life, but he let worldly interests and relationships lead him to do what was contrary to his own will and conscience. Instead of recognizing and accepting Jesus as the Son of God, Herod was “haunted” by the “ghost” of John the Baptist.

Are we building the Lord’s kingdom or are we trying to create our own “empire”? Are we willing to seek and follow God’s Word even when it causes division and separation from family and friends? Do we put God’s will ahead of our own desires?

Alternative Entry

first posted 08/24/03

2 Sam 2:1-11 David Becomes King of Judah Only

Acts 15:36-16-5 Paul and Barnabas Split over John Mark

Mark 6:14-29 The Death of John the Baptist

David had been anointed King by Samuel but was in exile in the wilderness in southern Israel until the death of King Saul at Mt. Gilboa (in north central Israel near Jezreel). After Saul's death, David sought the Lord's guidance, and was led to move to Hebron, where he became King of the tribe of Judah only. Abner,the Commander of Saul's Army, had made Saul's son Isbosheth King of the rest of the tribes of Israel.

Paul was going to visit the churches which he had established with Barnabas on his first missionary journey, but Barnabas wanted to bring along John Mark, and Paul didn't. John Mark had also been on the first journey, but had left at Pamphylia, perhaps over the controversy regarding the keeping of Jewish law. Paul took Silas instead, while Barnabas took John Mark to Cypress. At Derbe Paul wanted a young disciple named Timothy to join him on the journey, and Paul decided to have Timothy circumcised first, probably to avoid controversy with the Jews in the region who still held to the traditions of Jewish law.

King Herod (Antipas, son of Herod the Great) heard of Jesus' healing miracles. There was controversy over who Jesus was, and Herod thought Jesus was John the Baptist, whom Herod had killed, who had been raised from the dead. Herod had mixed feelings for John the Baptist. He had been attracted to his preaching and had been eager to hear it, but John had criticized him because of his illegal marriage to Herod's brother's wife.

Herod had not rejected John's message, even though it had convicted him, but he allowed his wife, who hated John and wanted to kill him because of his criticism, to maneuver him into a situation in which he had to order John beheaded or be publicly humiliated. So Herod allowed himself to do something against his own conscience and convictions that he would not otherwise have done.

Abner had divided Israel by installing Saul's son Isbosheth as King of Israel, in opposition to God's anointing of David, because he wanted to continue his own position. Disagreement over John Mark separated Paul and Barnabas, and controversy between the Gentile Christians and the Jewish Christians over observance of the Jewish law prompted Paul to have Timothy circumcised. Herod was open to John the Baptist's message; he didn't reject it for pointing out his shortcomings. But he allowed circumstances and people around him to make decisions for him, instead of following his own conscience and seeking God's will.

11 Pentecost - Tuesday
first posted 08/01/05

2 Samuel 3:6-21, Abner Negotiates with David

Acts 16:6-15, Paul First Preached in Europe

Mark 6:30-46 Feeding the Five Thousand

While Saul had been seeking to kill David, Abner, Saul’s commander, had been strengthening his own position within Saul’s kingdom. Abner had sexually possessed Rizpah, one of Saul’s concubines (representing a claim on the monarchy and thus treasonous). Saul’s son, Isbosheth, whom Abner had established as king of Israel, confronted Abner about this infidelity.

Abner was furious, demanding the reason Isbosheth was treating Abner as a “dog’s head” (an expression of reproach), when Abner had been loyal to Saul and had protected Ishbosheth and the house of Saul from David’s power. Abner swore to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul to the house of David, and establish David as king of the entire land of Israel from the northern to the southern borders. Isbosheth was afraid of Abner and had nothing else to say.

Abner sent a message to David at Hebron, offering to support David as king of all Israel. David agreed to make a covenant with Abner, on condition that Michal, Saul’s daughter who had been given to David as a wife, but later given by Saul to another, be returned to David as his wife. Isbosheth took her from her second husband and returned to David. Her husband followed behind her weeping, but Abner drove him away.

Abner negotiated with the elders of Israel, particularly the tribe of Benjamin to which Saul and Isbosheth belonged, to make David king of Israel, citing the Word of God promising to deliver Israel from the Philistines by David. Then Abner went to David at Hebron to tell David the results.

Abner arrived in Hebron with twenty men, and David gave them a feast. Abner told David that he would gather Israel together to covenant with David to be their king, and David gave his approval.

Paul, Silas and Timothy passed through Phrygia and Galatia without preaching because the Holy Spirit had forbidden them to preach the Gospel there. At Mysia they tried to enter Bithynia (northern Turkey) but the Spirit of Jesus (the indwelling Holy Spirit) would not allow it, so instead they went to Troas on the western shore. There Paul had a dream of a Macedonian man pleading for Paul to come and provide spiritual help. Concluding that the dream was the Lord’s guidance, they sailed from Troas to Samothrace, and then traveled through Neapolis to Philippi, a major city of Macedonia, a Roman colony.

On the Sabbath they went outside the city wall to a riverbank where there was a place of prayer (perhaps an informal meeting place for Jews, since no synagogue seems to have been available in Philippi at that time). A group of women were gathered, and Paul and Silas joined them and proclaimed the gospel. One woman who listened to and accepted the gospel was Lydia, a seller of purple goods (royal garments). After she and her household had been baptized, she invited Paul and Silas to stay as guests in her house.

Jesus had sent the Twelve out, two by two, to preach and heal, and when they returned they told him all they had done. Jesus took them off to an isolated place to rest for a while, since otherwise the crowds coming to Jesus made it difficult even to eat undisturbed. Jesus and his disciples took a boat across the Sea of Galilee to an isolated place, but the crowds saw them, and knowing where they were heading, ran on shore and were waiting for them when the boat landed. Jesus had compassion on the crowd because they were like sheep without a shepherd, so Jesus started to teach them.

When it grew late, the disciples suggested that Jesus should send them away so that they could buy food in the surrounding cities, but Jesus told the disciples to feed them. The disciples mentioned that it would take at least two hundred denarii to buy enough bread. Jesus asked the disciples to check and see what food they had, and the disciples found five loaves and two fish.

Jesus had the crowd sit down in groups on green grass. Then Jesus took the bread and fish and blessed them, broke them into pieces and gave them to the disciples to distribute. All ate as much as they wanted, and there were twelve baskets of pieces leftover. Then Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and leave for Bethsaida, while Jesus dismissed the crowd. Afterward, Jesus went into the hills to pray.

Abner saw that it was in his best interest to transfer his allegiance, from the worldly king he had set up, to David, the Lord’s anointed. He agreed to work for the establishment of David’s kingship over all Israel, but he had to agree to David’s condition. David’s condition of the return of Michal as his wife was motivated both by love and political consideration, establishing David as the son-in-law of Saul.

Paul and Silas had been obedient to the Lord’s leading and had gone to Macedonia. Macedonia may not have seemed very promising; it didn’t even have an established synagogue. But Lydia heard and accepted the gospel preached by Paul and Barnabas, and she and her household transferred their allegiance from Judaism to Jesus Christ. As a result of her conversion she invited Paul and Silas to be her guests in her home, and they agreed.

When Jesus had sent the disciples out in pairs, the disciples had followed Jesus’ instructions concerning their missionary journey (Mark 6:7-13), to not take any provisions for their journey, although the instructions seemed contrary to common sense. In the situation of a hungry crowd in an isolated place, the disciples had offered a solution for the wellbeing of the crowd, but went instead with Jesus’ instructions, even though it seemed humanly impossible.

The Lord is abundantly able to provide for those who trust and obey him. David was the Lord’s anointed, but had not received the fullness of that promise yet. Abner, who was motivated by self-interest, nevertheless helped the Lord’s plan for David to be fulfilled.

Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the Lord’s anointed. If he is going to be our eternal king, we’re going to have to trust and obey him. We’re going to have to agree to his conditions. Jesus is abundantly able to make our efforts produce results, as we trust and obey his commands, and he can be trusted to be compassionate to provide for our needs, including rest from our labors on his behalf. Doing his will is in our best interest, whether we realize that yet or not. This life is our opportunity to know and do his will and to be led by his Holy Spirit.

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:20)? 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)?

Alternative Entry

first posted 08/25/03

2 Samual 3-6-21 Abner Negotiates with David

Acts 16: 6-15 Paul and Silas go to Macedonia

Mark 6:30-46 Feeding the Five Thousand

While the Nation was divided between the House of Saul and the House of David, Abner, Commander of Saul's Army, had become the most powerful man in Saul's kingdom, having installed Saul's son Isbosheth as king after Saul's death. Abner knew that David was the Lord's Anointed, but Abner served his own interests. His power was evident in the fact that he dared to take for himself Saul's concubine which was at least insubordinate and possibly treasonous. When challenged by King Isbosheth over the concubine, Abner treated the King with contempt, and decided to take his support from Isbosheth and give it to David. Abner only became interested in doing God's will when he saw that it served his own selfish interests.

Paul and Silas were led by the Holy Spirit as they made this second missionary journey. The Holy Spirit, the "Spirit of Jesus" (v.8), would not permit them to preach in Asia and blocked an attempt to enter Bythinia, guiding them instead to enter Europe for the first time to preach in Macedonia.

The Disciples had just returned from a missionary journey. Jesus took them off where they could be alone to rest, but the crowds followed them. Jesus saw their needs and ministered to them, and taught his disciples to work with the Holy Spirit to meet the needs of others.

The Lord cares for us and provides abundantly for our needs. He IS Lord, and His will WILL be done, whether we cooperate with it or not. Doing His will IS in our own best interest, although we may not realize this yet. We have been placed in this life for the opportunity to learn to know and be led by His Holy Spirit, and to know and do His will.

11 Pentecost - Wednesday

2 Samuel 3:22-39, Joab Kills Abner

Acts 16:16-24, Paul and Silas Imprisoned

Mark 6:47-56 Jesus Walks on Water

Abner was the commander of Saul’s army and had arranged for David, who was then king of Judah to become king of all Israel. When Joab, the commander of David’s army returned from a raid, he learned that Abner had just left after reporting to David. When he learned that Abner had visited David and had been allowed to go in peace, Joab went after Abner and his bodyguards and brought them back to Hebron. Joab and his brother, Abishai, took Abner aside at the city gate and killed him by stabbing him in the belly.

When David found out that Abner had been killed by Joab in revenge for Joab’s brother’s death by Abner, David publicly cursed Joab, and then ordered a period of public mourning throughout Judah. David led the mourning and the public funeral for Abner, so that his actions were approved by all the tribes of Israel, who understood that David had not been responsible for Abner’s death. David was not powerful enough to order Joab and Abishai, the sons of Zeruiah (David’s sister), executed for Abner’s murder, but left vengeance to the Lord.

Paul and Silas were in Phillipi, a leading city in Macedonia, where they had been preaching the gospel for many days. They were going to a place where the Jewish community gathered for prayer (since the city had no established synagogue), and a slave girl who had a spirit (a demon) of divination had been following Paul and Silas every day shouting that Paul and Silas were servants of the Most High God and were teaching the way of salvation.

Paul was annoyed by her constant behavior, and he turned around and commanded the spirit to come out of her. She had been making money for her owners by her divination, and when the demon was cast out she no longer had the ability, so her owners were angry and had Paul and Silas arrested and brought before a Roman judge. The owners alleged that Paul and Silas were evangelizing Romans, which was unlawful, and the Roman court had them stripped, severely beaten with rods, and imprisoned in the most secure area of the prison, with their feet in stocks.

After the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus sent his disciples off in the boat, while he remained behind to dismiss the crowd and pray in solitude. Jesus could see that the disciples were not making much progress on the sea because the wind was against them. Just before sunrise Jesus came to them, walking on the surface of the sea. He appeared to be passing by, but the disciples thought they were seeing a ghost and cried out in fear.

Jesus spoke to them identifying himself and telling them not to be afraid. Jesus got into the boat and immediately the wind ceased. The disciples were totally amazed because they had not understood what had taken place with the loaves (and fish) of the feeding of the five thousand.

When the boat landed at Gennesaret (on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, southwest of Capernaum), the people recognized Jesus when he and the disciples disembarked, and they ran through the surrounding neighborhood and began bringing the sick to Jesus. Wherever Jesus went it was like that; they would bring the sick to him and even laid the sick along his way, begging Jesus to allow them to touch the fringe of his garment as he passed, and everyone who touched it was healed.

Joab and Abishai had not known and understood what had taken place between Abner and David, and they had pursued what they perceived as their own interests, instead of seeking God’s will. Abner had arranged to have David become king of all Israel, as the Lord had intended. Joab and Abishai took matters into their own hands, rather than entrusting it to God. Joab also perceived Abner as a rival and threat to Joab’s position and influence as the commander of David’s army. By their actions Joab and Abishai had hindered and delayed the accomplishment of God’s will, and brought God’s judgment upon themselves.

In contrast, David knew God’s will for him, and entrusted it to God to accomplish. David’s actions were honorable and it was clearly seen that Abner’s death was not David's fault. David didn’t have the power to punish Joab and Abishai, but he left their punishment to the Lord.

The owners of the slave girl in Philippi were profiting from evil. They had no interest in seeing her freed from demonic possession. They used civil authority to hinder and oppose the proclamation of the Gospel. Paul and Silas had no power to resist; they had to accept their situation and entrust it to the Lord.

The disciples were terrified by seeing Jesus walking on water and thought they were seeing a ghost, something evil or demonic, because they had not understood the miracle of the loaves at the feeding of the crowd which they had just witnessed.

Worldly people are going to resist and oppose the Gospel because they are profiting from evil. David, Paul and Silas are examples of Christian disciples who are guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit. They didn’t have worldly power but they had spiritual power. It was God’s will for David to become king of Israel and so David did eventually become king of Israel, even though Joab and Abishai temporarily hindered and prevented it. David did what he could and entrusted the outcome to the Lord.

It was the Lord’s will for the slave girl to be freed from demonic possession and so she was. It was contrary to God’s will for Paul and Silas to be imprisoned, even though they were powerless to prevent it. The Twelve were frightened and wrongly interpreted Jesus’ miracle of walking on water as a threat, an evil, because they didn’t understand what they had witnessed at the feeding of the five thousand. They had not yet been filled with the Holy Spirit. They were “rowing against the wind” until they brought Jesus into “their boat.”

Faith in Jesus heals rather than harms. When we cannot understand what is going on, trusting in Jesus will see us through. Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? 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)?

Alternative Entry

first posted 08/26/03

2 Sam. 3:22-39 The Murder of Ahab

Acts 16:16-24 Paul and Silas Imprisoned at Phillipi

Mark 6:47-56 Jesus Walks on Water

Joab, the commander of David's army had been away on a raid when Abner (the late King Saul's Commander) had come to negotiate peace with David. When Joab returned, soon after Abner had left, and learned of his visit, he sent men after Abner to bring him back; and Joab took Abner aside and murdered him in revenge for the death of Joab's brother in battle against Abner. (He also removed a rival for his own position as the commander of the King's army.) This was a great set-back to the cause of reuniting Israel under King David, and David had to do a lot of public diplomacy to rectify it.

At Phillipi Paul and Silas were being followed everywhere by a psychic who kept announcing to everyone that they were "servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation." (v.17) Paul was annoyed with her continual disruption, and without asking the psychic or her owners, he cast out the demon who had empowered her. Her psychic powers, which had provided considerable income for herself and her owners, were lost, and realizing this, she and her owners raised a fuss and had Paul and Silas thrown into prison.

After feeding the five thousand, Jesus sent the disciples off in the boat while He dismissed the crowds and then went into the hills to pray. Although some time had passed, the disciples hadn't gotten very far because they were rowing against a storm. Jesus came to them walking on the water, but they were terrified of Him, instead of glad to see Him. They had not understood the significance of the feeding of the five thousand. They were terrified of Him as of a ghost. They probably wanted Him to keep away from them, instead of trusting in His power and goodness to help and save them.

Joab let his narrow self-interest motivate him, rather than God's will for an Israel united under King David. Joab was too powerful for David to order executed as he had done with the Amalakite (see 2 Sam.1:15), just as Abner had been too powerful for Isbosheth to reprimand over the concubine. (2 Sam. 3:7-11)

When Paul cast out the demon who had enabled the psychic, his motive was not her benefit, or that of her owners, but of his own benefit. She was irritating him. The result was that the people were aroused against Paul and Silas and the Gospel. The disciples in the boat, rowing against the storm, were terrified of Jesus, rather than glad to see Him. They should have seen from the feeding of the five thousand that Jesus has the power to deal with any problem, and that He cares for us and uses His power for our good.

11 Pentecost - Thursday

first posted 08/03/05

2 Samuel 4:1-12, Isbosheth Murdered

Acts 16:25-40, The Philippian Jailer

Mark 7:1-23 Traditions of the Elders

Isbosheth, Saul’s son, who Abner had made king of Israel, was terrified when he heard Abner had been killed. Two captains of Isbosheth’s army, Rechab and Baanah, of the tribe of Benjamin, Saul’s tribe, entered Isbosheth’s house at noon, when Isbosheth was taking a nap, and the doorkeeper was dozing, and assassinated Isbosheth. They cut off his head and took it to David.

They tried to claim that the Lord had avenged David through them. But David told them that the Lord had faithfully delivered David from every adversity. He told them that when the Amalekite man claimed to have killed Saul, thinking that David would be glad to hear it, David had him executed (2 Samuel 1:13-16). David told the captains that their deed was worse, since they had entered a righteous man’s house to do evil. David had the captains executed and displayed publicly at Hebron, but placed the head of Isbosheth in the tomb of Abner in Hebron.

Paul and Silas had been imprisoned in Philippi, because Paul had cast a demon out of a slave girl whose owners were exploiting her psychic abilities. During the night Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns, and the other prisoners were listening to them, when there was an earthquake. The building’s foundation was shaken and the prison doors were opened.

The jailer was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped, but Paul spoke to him and stopped him from suicide, reassuring him that the prisoners were all still there. The jailer brought Paul and Silas out of their cell and asked them what he should do to be saved. They told him to believe in the Lord Jesus and he and his household would be saved. They taught the gospel to the Jailer and his household. They treated the wounds Paul and Silas had received from their beating, and the jailer and his household were baptized. The jailer brought Paul and Silas into his home and fed them, and rejoiced with his household at their salvation.

In the morning, the judges sent police to release Paul and Silas, but Paul and Silas refused to be released without an apology from the court, since Paul and Silas were Roman citizens who had been beaten unlawfully without a trial.

Pharisees (strict legalistic Jews) and scribes (teachers of the Law of Moses) criticized Jesus’ disciples for not washing their hands before eating. They asked why the disciples did not keep the traditions of the elders. Jesus replied that the Pharisees and scribes were fulfilling God’s prophecy of people who had the appearance of honoring God, but whose hearts were far from God; “in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men” (Mark 7:7; Isaiah 29:13). Jesus told them they put aside God’s commandments to keep the traditions of men. As just one example, Jesus cited a Jewish tradition which allowed one to avoid the commandment to honor father and mother by declaring that what they would have received was given to God.

Jesus told the crowd that it isn’t what enters a person, like food, which corrupts a person, but rather what comes out of his heart. Privately his disciples asked Jesus to explain what he had meant. Jesus told them that food doesn’t cause evil thoughts and desires. It is mankind’s heart (the center of his desires) which causes evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, self-indulgence, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evils come from within mankind.

Rechab and Baanah did what seemed right to them; they followed their own interest, and tried to claim that they had done God’s will. They were blind to their own wickedness. David, on the other hand, submitted to God’s will and trusted that the Lord would accomplish his purpose in David. David realized that Isbosheth was no threat to God’s will.

Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned unjustly, but they did what was right in God’s judgment and trusted in the Lord to deliver them and accomplish his purpose through them. As a result they were able to rejoice in the Lord and worship and praise him even in suffering and imprisonment. Consequently, the other prisoners heard the gospel.

Rather than taking the opportunity provided by the earthquake to escape, Paul and Silas remained in the cell, saving the jailer’s life, and resulting in the conversion of the jailer and his household. In the morning light it was obvious that Paul and Silas had been in the right and that their accusers and judges had been wrong in punishing them.

The scribes and Pharisees had substituted the traditions of the elders for obedience to God’s Word. They were doing what seemed right in their own eyes, instead of what was right in the Lord’s judgment. They were pursuing their own self-interests and calling it God’s will, instead of seeking and obeying God’s will. Their criticism of Jesus’ disciples revealed their own spiritual corruption.

When our standard of behavior is popular opinion rather than God's Word, we loose the moral reference by which to discern right from wrong. Should society tolerate any activity as long as it is economically profitable? The psychic was a slave to her owners who was only valued her for her psychic abilities. She was empowered by her bondage to the demonic.

Consulting mediums is specifically forbidden in the Scripture (see Leviticus 19:31; 1 Samual 28:3-20). We are to be guided by the Holy Spirit -- not demons.] Should Paul have kept quiet and let the guard kill himself, thus allowing them to escape un-opposed? The magistrates did what was popular, having Paul and Silas beaten with rods to appease the angry mob, but it was illegal to beat Roman Citizens without a trial. Just because it was OK with the majority didn't make it right.

Alternative Entry

first posted 08/27/03

2 Sam. 4:1-12 The Murder of Isbosheth

Acts 16:25-40 Paul and Silas Released from Prison

Mark 7:1-23 The Tradition of the Elders

When Abner, Commander of King Saul's army, died, several army captains took the opportunity to assassinate King Isbosheth, whom Abner had installed to replace King Saul, following Saul's death. The Captains entered Isbosheth's house by stealth and murdered him in his own bed. Then they beheaded him and took the head to King David.

They thought that David would reward them for removing his rival for the Throne of Israel, but David continued to honor the House of Saul because Saul had been the Lord's Anointed. David had the captains killed for murdering Abner, as he had killed the Amalekite who had brought David the news of Saul's death. (See 2 Sam.1:14-16)

Paul and Silas were imprisoned because of the uproar caused when Paul had cast out the demon from the psychic at Phillipi. (see Acts 16:16-18) During the night there was an earthquake, and the prison doors were knocked off their hinges and the fetters of the prisoners were broken. The guard was dismayed and was about to kill himself with his own sword, but Paul called out to him and reassured him and saved his life. As a result, the guard and his household received the Gospel and eternal salvation.

"Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men", (Mark 7:7) the Pharisees kept the traditions of the elders rather than God's commandments. Righteousness is more about restraining our own sinfulness than about protecting ourselves from others.

When our standard of behavior is popular opinion rather than God's Word, we loose the moral reference by which to discern right from wrong. Isbosheth's captains assumed that David's response to their assassination would be based on his own self-interest, rather than how God would judge their deed. It turned out to be a fatal mistake.

Should society tolerate any activity as long as it is economically profitable? [The psychic was a slave to her owners who was only valued her for her psychic abilities. She was empowered by her bondage to the demonic. Consulting mediums is specifically forbidden in the Scripture. (see Leviticus 19:31; 1 Sam 28:3-20; journal entry for Thurs., Aug 21). We are to be guided by the Holy Spirit -- not demons.]

Should Paul have kept quiet and let the guard kill himself, thus allowing them to escape un-opposed? The magistrates did what was popular, having Paul and Silas beaten with rods to appease the angry mob, but it was illegal to beat Roman Citizens without a trial. Just because it was OK with the majority didn't make it right.

11 Pentecost - Friday

first posted 08/04/05

2 Samuel 5:1-12, David Captures Jerusalem

Acts 17:1-15, From Thessalonica to Athens

Mark 7:24-37 The Syrophoenician Woman

The heads of all the tribes of Israel came to David to make him king over all Israel. They said that when Saul had been king David had been a leader of Saul’s army, and that the Lord had declared that David would be a shepherd and prince over Israel. David reigned as king of Judah for seven and a half years, and then was king of Israel for thirty-three years.

Jerusalem was the last stronghold (fortress) of Canaanites (Jebusites) in the land. David and his men prepared to attack Jerusalem, but the Canaanites though they were sufficiently secure that the blind and lame could keep out the Israelites. But David rallied his men to attack up the water shaft (Siloam tunnel connecting to Gihon Spring) which was the water source for the Jebusite stronghold. After the stronghold had been captured, David made it his capital, and called it the City of David.

The city of Jerusalem was built north and west of the stronghold. The Lord prospered and increased David’s greatness. The king of Tyre sent cedar lumber and carpenters and masons who built a palace for David. David recognized that the Lord had established David’s kingship, and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of God’s people, Israel.

Paul and Silas were on Paul’s second missionary journey. They arrived in Thessalonica, where there was a local synagogue, and Paul went on the Sabbath, and for three weeks he taught the Gospel, showing that Jesus is the Christ, the fulfillment of scripture, and that Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection were necessary for the fulfillment of God’s plan. Some Jews believed, as well as many Greeks and more than a few leading women.

But the Jewish leaders were jealous, and they organized a mob of riffraff and created a riot. They attacked the house of Jason, looking for Paul and Silas, and when they didn’t find them they dragged Jason and other Christians before the civic authorities. They charged Paul and Silas of upsetting civil order, of acting contrary to Caesar’s decrees, and of proclaiming another king, Jesus (rivaling Caesar). Jason and the other Christians had to post bail to be released.

The Christians helped Paul and Silas escape to Beroea during the night. Again Paul began to preach the gospel in the synagogue. The Jews at Beroea were eager to hear the gospel and examined the scriptures daily in order to come to their own conclusion about the truth of the gospel. Many believed, including Gentiles and community leaders. But when the Jews of Thessalonica learned that Paul and Silas were in Beroea, they came to Beroea and stirred up persecution there. While Silas and Timothy stayed in Beroea, the believers helped Paul to flee to Athens, where Paul arranged to wait for Silas and Timothy to join him.

Jesus had gone to the region of Tyre and Sidon, Phoenicia, (northwest of Galilee), hoping to avoid public notice. But news of his visit became known, and a woman, a native of the Syrian region of Phoenicia, who had a child possessed by a demon, came to Jesus and begged him to heal her daughter. Jesus told her that the “children” (of God) should be “fed” first; that it would not be right to give the children’s food to “dogs.” Acknowledging Jesus as Lord, she accepted Jesus’ words, but replied that dogs are allowed to eat the children’s crumbs which fall from the table. Jesus told her that because of her answer, the child had been healed, and when she returned home she found her daughter well.

Jesus returned to the Sea of Galilee through the region of the Decapolis (a federation of ten cities, south of the Sea of Galilee and east of the Jordan River). A man who was deaf and couldn’t speak plainly was brought to Jesus. Jesus took the man aside and touched the man’s ears and tongue and said in Aramaic, “Be opened” (Mark 7:34). Immediately the man could hear and he spoke plainly. Jesus told the witnesses to tell no one, but the more he commanded them the more enthusiastically they proclaimed it. They said Jesus does everything well, even healing the deaf and mute.

The elders of the tribes of Israel recognized that David was the fulfillment of God’s promise of a shepherd and prince to lead the people of Israel, so they came to him and asked him to be their king. They acknowledged that David had been their “champion” and hero in Saul’s monarchy. Under David’s monarchy, God’s people were united, the last enemy of Israel was defeated and Jerusalem, the “City of God,” was established. David recognized that the Lord had established David’s kingdom in fulfillment of God’s promise, and had exalted David’s kingdom for the sake of God’s people.

David prefigures and illustrates the Christ, God’s anointed eternal King. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Jesus is our “champion” and hero who has defeated our spiritual enemy, Satan, at the Cross, as David had killed Goliath. In the kingdom of Jesus Christ, he has established his City of God on earth, the Church.

God’s plan of salvation (see sidebar, top right) from sin and eternal condemnation has been built into creation (John 1:1-5, 14). It has always been God’s purpose to create an eternal kingdom of his people who trust and obey him. This life is a selection process for that eternal kingdom; it’s our opportunity to seek and find forgiveness, reconciliation and a personal relationship with God through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ, by the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit.

Those who examine the scriptures honestly will conclude that Jesus is the Christ and that his crucifixion and resurrection were necessary to fulfill God’s plan of salvation. Their minds are open to receive the Gospel. They will come to Jesus and ask Jesus to be their King.

Those who are pursuing self-interest and worldly goals will see the Gospel as the overturning of their world; they will see Christianity as a threat to their worldly way of life. Their minds are not open to receive the Gospel. They will oppose the Gospel and persecute the evangelists, but the Lord will preserve and prosper his Word and his people. Those who cannot see the goodness of God in the light of the Gospel condemn themselves to eternal darkness.

The Syrophoenician woman recognized that Jesus was the Christ, the Lord’s anointed, and asked him to be her Lord. She acknowledged that she was not worthy of his favor, but she trusted that the abundance of his grace would overflow to her blessing, and she received what she requested.

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? 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 28:18-29)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

Alternative Entry

first posted 08/28/03

2 Sam. 5:1-12 David Becomes King of Israel; Captures Jerusalem

Acts 17:1-15 From Thessalonica to Athens

Mark 7:24-37 The Syrophonecian Woman; Healing

The tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, acknowledging that he had long had a leading role in the the affairs of the nation, and that the Lord had chosen and anointed him king. They entered into a covenant with David and David became King of Israel, no longer just King of Judah. David led the campaign against the Jebusites, the last remaining stronghold of Caananites, at Jerusalem. Jerusalem was conquered and became David's capital city. "And David perceived that the Lord had established his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel" (v. 12)

In Thessalonica and Beroea, Paul's Gospel was received by some of the Jews as well as numerous Gentiles, but was opposed by the Jewish leaders with persecution.

Jesus didn't seek publicity, but yet it was impossible to keep his whereabouts secret. He was the fulfillment of God's promise to the people of Israel, but His blessings are for all who will receive him in faith.

The Gospel is meant to be a blessing for all people, but not everyone receives it with joy. There has always been opposition to the Gospel, but God works to prosper it for our benefit, in spite of the opposition. In King David's day, the tribes of Israel were able to see that cooperating with God's plan was in their best interest. During Jesus' earthly ministry Gentiles were richly blessed by the overflow of the blessings God was making available to His people. At Thessalonica the minds of many of the Jews were not open to consider the truth of the Gospel's claims. At Beroea, the Jews were willing to examine the scriptures to test the Gospel's claims, and the result was that many of them believed. Those who cannot see the goodness of God in the light of the Gospel condemn themselves to eternal darkness.

11 Pentecost - Saturday

first posted 08/05/05

2 Samuel 5:22-6:11, Bringing the Ark to Jerusalem

Acts 17:16-34, Paul’s Preaching at Athens

Mark 8:1-10 Feeding the Four Thousand

After Israel conquered the Jebusite stronghold at Jerusalem, the Philistines realized that David’s kingdom was becoming strong enough to be a threat to the Philistines. The Philistine army moved into the Valley of Rephaim (near Jerusalem). David sought the Lord’s council, and the Lord told him not to engage the Philistines directly, but to go around and attack from their rear. The Lord would give the sound of marching in the treetops, signaling that the Lord had gone before them to strike the Philistines, and David’s army was to attack. David did as the Lord had said, and they drove the Philistines from Geba (near Jerusalem) to Gezer (near the Philistine border).

The Ark of the Covenant had been in the custody of Eleazar, the son of Abinadab, in Kiriath-jearim (Baale-judah) for twenty years after its return from the Philistines. David and thirty thousand men escorted the Ark from Kiriath-jearim to Jerusalem. The Ark was placed on a new cart prepared for the purpose (not the method of transport God commanded). Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab drove the cart; Ahio went ahead of the cart and Uzzah was beside or behind the cart. The crowd was celebrating with music and singing.

At the threshing floor of Nacon (a local landmark) the oxen stumbled, the Ark lurched, and Uzzah put out his hand to steady it and was struck dead. (It was forbidden for anyone to touch the holy things or they would be destroyed by divine holiness; Numbers 4:15 RSV). David was upset that the Lord had broken forth upon Uzzah and the place became known as Perez-uzzah (meaning “the breaking forth upon Uzzah”). David became afraid to take the Ark into the city of David (the Jebusite fortress at Jerusalem which David had captured and made his capital). Instead, David gave custody of the Ark to Obededom, where it remained for three months. During that time the Lord blessed the entire household of Obededom.

Paul had been forced to flee from Beroea to Athens because of persecution by the Jews of Thessalonica, while Silas and Timothy had stayed in Beroea (to disciple new Christians). While Paul waited for Silas and Timothy to arrive he looked around Athens and was disturbed by all the idolatry. Paul debated with the Jews in the synagogues on the Sabbath, and in the marketplace during the week, with whoever happened to be there.

He encountered Epicurean and Stoic philosophers who considered Paul a ‘babbler,’ less intellectually sophisticated than themselves. Paul was preaching Jesus and the resurrection, which they concluded must be two foreign deities. They brought Paul to the Areopagus, an outdoor “Greek” theater where the Athenian court met. Athenians at the time were well known for their intellectual curiosity.

Paul addressed the crowd saying that he had noticed that the Athenians were very religious, and as he had looked at their shrines he had found one dedicated to an unknown god. Paul was trying to make known to the Athenians the God who had been unknown to them. This God is the creator of everything and Lord of heaven and earth.

God has no need of shrines made by mankind, nor does he need anyone to do things for him, since he is completely able to accomplish his will by his own power. God has created every nation on earth and all creation is governed by his will. The purpose of this creation is so that mankind can seek God, groping after him in hope of finding him, although God is not far from us (Acts 17:26-27).

Paul showed his knowledge of Greek literature by quoting appropriate passages to make his point that we are God’s offspring, and God is not an object fashioned by human hands and imagination. In the past God has overlooked spiritual ignorance, but now, with the fulfillment of the promised Savior in the appearance, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God commands all people everywhere to repent, to turn from disobedience of God’s Word. God has fixed a Day of Judgment when he will judge everyone who has ever lived, by Jesus Christ whom he has appointed Judge, and has confirmed this appointment by raising Jesus from the dead.

Some of Paul’s hearers mocked his claim of Jesus’ resurrection, but others were interested in hearing more. Paul continued to mingle with them in daily activities, but several individuals believed and joined with Paul, including one of the members of the Areopagus.

A great crowd had come to Jesus in the open countryside and had been listening to Jesus for three days. Jesus had compassion for them because they were hungry; many had come from great distances and were likely to faint on the way home. His disciples couldn’t see how they could feed the large crowd, but Jesus told them to check their supplies. The disciples reported that they had seven loaves of bread and a few fish.

Jesus told the crowd to sit down and he took the bread and fish, and blessed and broke them into pieces, and told his disciples to distribute them. The crowd of abut four thousand people ate and were satisfied and there were seven baskets of leftover pieces collected. Then Jesus dismissed the crowd and he and his disciples got into their boat and went across the Sea of Galilee to Dalmanutha (or Magadan; on the western shore).

The Lord blesses those who trust and obey him, but he has power to destroy eternally those who do not respect his holiness and power and do not obey him. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10). Anyone who does not have a healthy respect for God’s authority and power is spiritually ignorant. We don’t need to fear him if we do what is in accordance with his Word, but we can’t violate his commandments and avoid his judgment and punishment.

The meaning and purpose of this life is to seek and come to a personal relationship with the Lord through Jesus Christ, by the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit. God has revealed himself through his prophets, in his Word, the Bible, and through Jesus Christ who is the fulfillment and embodiment and example of God’s Word, lived in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus is the revealing of God in human flesh (Colossians 2:8-9; Matthew 11:27). The gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit is the fullest revelation of God to us individually and personally (John 14:21, 23).

God’s purpose has always been to create an eternal kingdom of his people who trust and obey him. We are given free will to choose for ourselves whether to trust and obey him or not. We have all sinned and fall short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8-10), and the penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). Jesus is God’s only provision for our forgiveness and salvation from eternal death (Acts 4:12, John 14:6; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). Jesus Christ has been “built into” the very structure of Creation (John 1:1-5; 14).

The Lord doesn’t want anyone to perish; he sent Jesus into the world to save us (John 3:16-17). Jesus’ miracle of physically feeding the multitudes was intended to show that Jesus is the source of spiritual nurture and sustenance. Jesus is the bread of eternal life (John 6:51). Jesus is the source of “living water” (John 4:14; 7:37-39), which is the Holy Spirit. Only Jesus gives the gift of his Holy Spirit (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).

God has designed creation so that mankind dies physically once, and then comes judgment (not reincarnation; Hebrews 9:27). Jesus Christ is God’s appointed judge, who has promised to return on the Day of Judgment when he will judge the physically and spiritually living and dead. Those who have trusted and obeyed Jesus will receive eternal life in heaven with the Lord, but those who have rejected Jesus or have refused to obey him will receive eternal death and destruction in hell with all evil (Matthew 25:31-46). With the revealing of Jesus as the Lord’s anointed Savior and eternal King, and his death and resurrection, there is no longer any excuse for spiritual ignorance. Each one of us will be accountable to God for what we have done with God’s Word in our life.

Alternative Entry
first posted 08/29/03

2 Sam 5:22-6:11 Bringing the Ark to Jerusalem

Acts 17:16-34 Paul's Speech in Athens

Mark 8:1-10 Feeding the Four Thousand

King David sought the Lord's guidance before battle against The Philistines, and the Lord gave him an unconventional strategy of attacking from the rear. The Lord also gave him a signal to wait for in timing the attack -- wind in the nearby balsam trees. David followed the Lord's instructions and was victorious over the Philistines. Afterwards, since Jerusalem was to be the religious as well as the military and political capital of Israel, David arranged to have the Ark of God brought to Jerusalem.[The Ark of the Covenant, an oblong box which was the major furnishing in the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle, on which was the Mercy Seat.

The Ark had led the procession of the Israelites in the wilderness, and across the Jordan into the promised land. It had led the procession around the walls at the battle of Jericho. It had been captured by the Philistines, who were forced to send it back. (1 Sam:5 & 6) God had given Moses detailed instructions on the Ark's construction and transport. It had gold rings at each corner, through which poles were passed, by which it was to be carried. It was strictly forbidden to touch the Ark itself.]

Everyone was celebrating as the Ark was brought along the route to Jerusalem on an oxcart (not the prescribed method of transport). The sons of the man who had been the Ark's custodian were accompanying it. The oxen stumbled, and Uzzah, one of the sons, who was walking alongside, put out his hand to steady the Ark and was struck dead. This tragedy could have been avoided if the prescribed method of transport had been followed. David was angry with and afraid of God as a result of this tragedy, and unwilling to be near the Ark, so he left it for a time in the custody of another man, outside of Jerusalem ( who was blessed by God by the presence of the Ark in his house).

In Athens, Paul was brought before the town court to explain his teaching of the Gospel. Paul's religious doctrine and moral teachings were under examination. This was a great opportunity to present the Gospel to the leading Athenian intellectuals, and Paul did a great job of presenting it, using his knowledge of their religious and cultural world-view, even quoting from their literature. He concluded his speech: "The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom He has appointed, and of this He has given assurance to all men by raising him from the dead." (v.30-31) The response was mixed: some mocked; some wanted to hear more; some believed.

Jesus' feeding the four thousand shows that He cares for and provides for our wellbeing. He uses His awesome power for our benefit, but we need to remember that, although He desires our good, He has been appointed to judge the earth. God's instructions on the requirements for salvation have been made known: Faith in Jesus is the only way. The warning has been given. We ignore it at our eternal peril.