14 Pentecost – Sunday

 first posted 08/20/05

2 Samuel 17:1-23,       Ahithophel’s Counsel Rejected

Galatians 3:6-14,      Salvation by Faith, not Works

John 5:30-47         Jesus’ Authority

 

Ahithophel was the royal counselor and prophet, who joined Absalom’s conspiracy to usurp the throne of David. Ahithophel advised Absalom to allow Ahithophel to select and lead twelve thousand men to pursue and attack David that night, while David and his men were exhausted and discouraged by their flight from Jerusalem. Ahithophel said that he would kill only David, and all David’s people would return and submit to Absalom’s kingdom.

 

Absalom asked for a second opinion from Hushai, a royal counselor whom David had sent to join Absalom’s people in order to spy and oppose Ahithophel’s council. Hushai heard what Ahithophel had advised, and Hushai advised Absalom not to follow it. Hushai said that David and his mighty men were experts in battle and their experience and their anger at Absalom’s conspiracy would prevail. Also, since David was a skilled tactician he would hide himself apart from his army, so Ahithophel’s plan to kill only David would fail.

 

Hushai suggested an alternate plan, which called for assembling a vast army from all the tribes of Israel, with Absalom leading, and they would destroy David and all his expert soldiers. In case David and his men took refuge in a walled city, Absalom would have sufficient forces to tear down the walls and destroy the city. Absalom and the elders of Israel accepted Hushai’s plan instead of the counsel of Ahiphophel.

 

Hushai gave word to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, who sent their sons, Jonathan and Ahimaaz,  to warn David not to camp on the west bank of the Jordan, but to cross over, so as not to be trapped between the river and Absalom’s forces. The sons of the priests had stayed outside the city so as not to be seen, but a young boy saw and reported to Absalom. The sons knew they had been spotted, so they hurried to a house in Bahurim (between Jerusalem and the Jordan River) and hid in a well, which was covered with a cloth and concealed by the woman of the house. When Absalom’s men came looking for the sons, the woman gave them false directions, and when the men couldn’t find Jonathan and Ahimaaz, they returned to Jerusalem. The sons of the priests went to David and gave him the message, so David and his forces arose and crossed the Jordan River. When Ahithophel saw that his counsel had been rejected he went to his home and hanged himself.

 

Paul quoted Genesis 15:6 to show that Abraham’s righteousness was by faith in God, rather than by keeping the law, and thus it is people of faith who are his spiritual sons and daughters. God’s Word foretold that the Gentiles would be saved through faith, by declaring that all nations on earth would be blessed through Abraham (Genesis 12:3). Those who rely on works of law for their righteousness and salvation are under a curse (Deuteronomy 21:23). God’s Word says that the righteous shall live (eternally) by faith (Habakkuk 2:4), but the Covenant of Law is not based on faith, because it is those who do the law who will live by them. “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law” (Galatians 3:13). Christ took that curse upon himself on the Cross (as the sacrifice once for all time, for all people, for all sin; Hebrews 9:26), “so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, that we might receive the promise of the (indwelling Holy) Spirit through faith” Galatians 3:14).

 

Jesus did nothing in his own human will and authority; his purpose was to do God’s will and fulfill God’s purpose entirely. Jesus’ judgment is that of God’s, without partiality or error. Jesus’ authority is not by his own testimony, and Jesus’ authority is not based on what humans think and say about him. God has testified to Jesus’ authority through the witness of John the Baptist (John 1:29-34), through the miracles Jesus’ did, and through the scriptures. 

 

No one has ever seen God or heard his voice. Those who believe God’s Word will recognize that Jesus is the Messiah (Christ; both mean “anointed” in Hebrew and Greek, respectively). Those who think they know and understand God’s Word but who do not accept Jesus demonstrate that they have not accepted and applied God’s Word in their lives. Those who study the scriptures and think they have eternal life through the scriptures apart from faith in Jesus Christ are mistaken (the scriptures testify that Jesus is God’s only provision for salvation and eternal life (Acts 4:12; John 14:6). Those who reject Jesus demonstrate that they do not love God, regardless of what they may claim. People accept those in worldly authority but reject Jesus who comes in the name and power of God; they seek worldly status and approval, but not God’s approval (which is eternal). Those who trust in their good deeds, apart from faith in Jesus, will be condemned by Moses (the Old Testament Scriptures) because Moses foreshadowed and prophesied of Christ. Those who don’t believe Moses’ testimony to Christ won’t be able to believe Jesus either.

 

Absalom was next in succession to the throne of David. Absalom didn’t want to wait to receive the kingdom, and he didn’t want to live by the rules in order for that to happen. He didn’t love David, who was the Lord’s anointed and Absalom’s father. He tried to seize the kingdom by force. Ahithophel was regarded by both David and Absalom as a prophet of God (2 Samuel 16:23). Ahithophel had formerly spoken God’s Word, but he abandoned his loyalty to the legitimate king who had been anointed by the Lord, and joined the conspiracy of the illegitimate worldly king trying to usurp David’s throne. The fact that Ahithophel advocated killing the Lord’s anointed proved that he was not speaking God’s Word. Absalom followed the counsel of Hushai, who was loyal to the Lord’s anointed, rather than the counsel of Ahithophel, the traitor who, like Judas Iscariot, had betrayed the Lord’s anointed. God is in control and it was not God’s will for Absalom to succeed (2 Samuel 17:14b).

 

This scripture is also a parable and metaphor. David foreshadows and illustrates the Messiah, God’s anointed eternal Savior and King. Worldly people and authorities try to usurp the throne of the Lord’s anointed, Jesus Christ. The Jewish religious authorities tried to usurp Jesus’ throne by crucifying him, and they tried to pervert God’s Word to accomplish their worldly agendas. This same thing happens today, not only by Jews, but by all who reject Jesus as the Christ.

There are many false prophets and false teachings in the world and within the Church. Legalists (including those who claim to be “Christians,” who teach salvation by “works,” “keeping the Law,” or “good deeds,” rather than by faith in Jesus), are one example of human attempts to seize the kingdom of God by some way other than God’s way. The other extreme is the doctrine of “Cheap Grace”* which is an attempt to seize the kingdom of God without discipleship and obedience to Jesus Christ. Jesus is God’s only provision for salvation and eternal life in God’s kingdom (see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

 

Paul showed by scripture that God’s plan of salvation has been based on faith (obedient trust) from before the Law was given to Moses. God’s Law was given to teach us the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:19-20), and to keep God’s people safe until the Messiah came (Galatians 3:21-26). The Law demonstrates that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23) and declares that the penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). The Jews, although physical descendants of Abraham who kept the Law of Moses, failed to receive the promise of the Spirit because they didn’t believe that Jesus was the Messiah. Gentiles, however, inherited the promise through faith in Jesus, although they were not physical descendants of Abraham or under the Law of Moses. .

 

God’s intention from the beginning of Creation has been to create an eternal kingdom of his people, who will trust and obey him. This life is our opportunity to seek and come to personal fellowship with the Lord (Acts 17:26-27). Jesus has been God’s plan of salvation from the very beginning of Creation, and has been “built into” its very structure (John 1:1-5; 14). Receiving the fulfillment of the promised Holy Spirit (being “born-again;” John 3:3; 5-8) through faith in Jesus is the seal and guarantee that we are in Christ and have eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). It is possible for one to know with certainty for oneself whether one has received the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit ( Acts 19:2).

 

Salvation is not by keeping God’s Laws, but by God’s grace (a free gift; unmerited favor) to be received by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-10). Note that obedience is a necessary component of faith; faith is obedient trust. Faith is not getting whatever we believe, if we believe hard enough. If we truly believe in Jesus we will trust and obey what Jesus says (Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46; James 2:17-18). The kingdom belongs to God, and if we want to enter God’s kingdom we must follow God’s plan.

 

Only Jesus is the Lord’s anointed eternal Savior and King, not by his own will but by God’s eternal purpose. Jesus is Lord, whether we accept him as our Lord or not.  Jesus is God’s only provision for our salvation from eternal death (Acts 4:12). No one can know and have fellowship with God except through Jesus Christ (John 14:6), by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Only Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit (John 1:32-34), which he gives only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). Any other way to enter God’s eternal kingdom is false, and will lead to eternal destruction.

 

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)?

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*See: The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Collier Books, Macmillan Publishing Co., NY 1963 ISBN 0-02-083850-6

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Alternative Entry

first posted 09/13/03

 

2 Sam. 17:1-23  Ahithophel’s Counsel Rejected

Galatians 3:6-14  By  Faith; Not Works

John 5:30-47  God Bears Witness to Jesus

 

Ahithophel, Absalom’s Counselor, who spoke the Word of God (16:23), advised Absalom to send him with troops  to pursue David immediately and strike down only the king, when David’s forces were weary from their escape. Absalom and all the elders liked the counsel, but Absalom asked Hushai for a second opinion. Hushai, the friend of David who David had planted as a spy within Absalom’s headquarters, suggested that Ahithophel’s plan wouldn’t work. He suggested an elaborate alternative which would take time to implement, allowing David to receive warning. Absalom and all the elders liked Hushai’s plan better than Ahithophel’s. Hushai thus had time to send word to David through Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, and their sons, Jonathan and Ahimaaz, as messengers. The sons of the priests were seen as they went to warn David, and were hidden in a well to avoid capture. Then they proceeded to warn David, who made preparations against the attack. When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was rejected, he went home and hanged himself.

 

“Abraham ‘believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.’ So you see that it is men of faith who are the sons of Abraham.” (v.6-7) The Jews, although the physical descendants of Abraham and who kept the Law of Moses, failed to receive the promise of the Spirit because they didn’t believe that Jesus was the Messiah. Gentiles, however, inherited the promise through faith in Jesus, although they were not physical descendants of Abraham.

 

Jesus warns unbelievers. God has borne witness that Jesus is the Messiah (or Christ; both words mean ‘anointed’) through the ministry of John the Baptist, the miracles which Jesus performed, and the scriptures. Anyone who believes God and believes his Word will know that Jesus is the Christ. Those who reject Jesus don’t know God or his Word, regardless of what they may claim.

 

Absalom had the counsel of God’s Word through Ahithophel, but sought a second opinion. Once he opened himself to an alternative, the alternative seemed better. That’s the delusional nature of sin! Absalom had sought his own will rather than God’s will from the beginning of his conspiracy against David. Ahithophel knew, when Absalom chose the alternative strategy, that the revolution would be lost. He knew what awaited them when the rightful King returned in power to deal with those who had sought to overthrow him.

The promise of salvation and eternal life are received by faith in Jesus, not by works (the keeping of the Law. See Ephesians 2:8-9) Jesus warns that those who reject him reject God and God’s Word. Condemnation and destruction await those who don’t acknowledge God’s Anointed King. Forgiveness and eternal life await those who receive Jesus in faith. 

 

14 Pentecost –Monday

first posted 08/21/05

2 Samuel 17:24-18:8,     David’s exile   

Acts 22:30-23:11,      Paul before the Sanhedrin

Mark 11:12-26       Fig tree cursed

 

King David had fled from Jerusalem to avoid being trapped there by his son Absalom’s attempted coup. David made Mahanaim, east of the Jordan River, his headquarters during his exile.  Shobi, an Ammonite, Barzillai, and Machir, Gileadites supplied David’s men with food and equipment in the wilderness. David divided the command of his army between three loyal commanders: Joab, Abishai, Joab’s nephew, and Ittai, the Gittite. David planned to go into battle with his army, but his men told him not to; David’s life was worth tens of thousands of ordinary men, because of his office (as the Lord’s anointed king). David accepted their advice and stayed in the city as his army marched out. David specifically told the three commanders to treat Absalom’s life with care, and everyone knew David’s order.

 

David’s army went against the army of Israel led by Absalom at the forest of Ephraim; David’s army defeated Israel and slaughtered twenty thousand men. “The forest devoured more people that day than the sword” (2 Samuel 18:8).

 

Paul had been attacked by a mob outside the temple in Jerusalem, and had been taken into custody by the Roman garrison until the facts could be determined. Paul was about to be interrogated by scourging (torture) and had invoked his Roman citizenship, which did not allow punishment without a trial. The next day the commander arranged for Paul to be examined in the presence of the Sanhedrin (Jewish court) so he could determine the facts. Paul declared that he had done nothing contrary to God’s Word. Ananias, the high priest, ordered Paul struck on the mouth, and Paul rebuked Ananias for presuming to judge Paul, while blatantly disregarding the law himself by ordering Paul struck without cause. The others rebuked Paul for reviling the high priest, and Paul apologized for having inadvertently violated God’s Word to refrain from speaking evil of a ruler of the people (Exodus 22:28), since he had not realized that Ananias was the high priest.

 

Paul perceived that the Sanhedrin was composed of Sadducees and Pharisees, so he declared that he was raised as a Pharisee and that he was being tried for preaching the hope of resurrection of the dead. This caused dissension among the Sanhedrin, because the Sadducees did not believe in resurrection, angel, or spirit, and the Pharisees did. The Pharisees sided with Paul and declared that he was innocent, which caused the disagreement to become violent. The Roman commander had to remove Paul by force and return him to the barracks. The following night the Lord came to Paul and revealed that Paul would have to testify in Rome as Paul had testified in Jerusalem.

 

Jesus had arrived in Jerusalem, knowing that he would be crucified. He had stayed overnight in Bethany (about two miles away, where close friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus, lived; John 11:1). When he returned to Jerusalem in the morning he was hungry and saw a fig tree in leaf, but there were no figs since it was not the season. Jesus said, in the hearing of his disciples, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again” (Mark 11:14).

 

In Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple and began driving out the moneychangers (changing Roman coins for Jewish coins required for contributions in the temple) and vendors of animals for sacrifice. Jesus told the crowd that God’s Word designated the temple as a house of prayer, but it had become a den of robbers (the venders and moneychangers were exploiting it for their profit). The priests and teachers of scripture were furious and began to seek a way to destroy Jesus which would not cause a riot of the people, who were impressed with Jesus’ teaching.

 

Again Jesus and his disciples went to Bethany overnight, and returning the next day, as they passed the fig tree, the disciples were amazed to see that it had withered. Jesus told them to have faith in God. Whatever disciples ask in prayer in faith without doubting will be done for them (see Conditions for Answered Prayer, sidebar, top right). When we pray we should pray for forgiveness for anyone who has wronged us, so that God will also forgive us our sins.

 

David was living according to God’s Word and the calling God had given him, but he was opposed by his own son, Absalom, who was only interested in fulfilling his own will. God’s Word divided the people into two kingdoms: those who followed the Lord’s anointed king, and those who followed the worldly king. The worldly king was able to seize control of Jerusalem for a time, but his kingdom ultimately was destroyed because it is contrary to God’s will and purpose.

 

Paul was obedient to God’s Word and was following the calling the Lord had given him. The Pharisees and Sadducees were more interested in pursuing their own will than God’s.  The Pharisees only sided with Paul when they saw that it was advantageous to their worldly interests. Paul hadn’t realized that Ananias was the high priest, because Ananias wasn’t behaving like one. Paul was willing to accept correction from his adversaries because he acknowledged it as true, although his error had been inadvertent. The Sadducees and Pharisees weren’t seeking truth; they were seeking to have their own way.

 

The religious authorities in Jerusalem were more interested in the appearance, in human judgment, of obedience of God’s Word than actual obedience according to God’s judgment. They were more interested in personal benefit from their calling than in truly serving the Lord. They hated Jesus because he threatened the worldly system they had established. They were looking for ways to get rid of Jesus without making themselves look bad to the public. Jesus expected to find the temple a house of prayer, but instead found it full of greed and corruption.

 

The fig tree is intended to be a visual “parable,” representing the congregation of God’s people, Judaism, at the time of Jesus’ first advent (“coming;” his physical life on earth) and also the Church, at the time of Jesus’ second advent, his return in glory and power on the Day of Judgment. Fig trees bear fruit before they produce leaves. From a distance the fig tree looked as though it had produced fruit, but up close it was apparent that it had none.

 

Judaism effectively ended at Jesus’ crucifixion. The curtain of the temple separating God’s presence in the Holy-of –Holies from the congregation was torn in two from top to bottom (Mark 15:38), symbolizing that Jesus has opened the way into God’s presence through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17; Acts 2:1-12). 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 the Jews began returning after World War II. The temple (essential for the sacrificial system of the Old Covenant of Law) has never been rebuilt.

 

The Church is the new, Israel, the new People of God. Jesus has promised to return on the Day of Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46), looking for people who have produced the fruit of the Gospel, the fruit of the Holy Spirit; people who are truly disciples who have trusted and obeyed Jesus and have been “born-again” by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 3:3, 5-8), not people who just “look good,” who look like “Christians,” from a distance.

 

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 09/14/03

 

2 Sam. 17:24-18:8  Battle of David Versus Absalom

Acts 22:30-23:11  Paul Before the Council

Mark 11:12-26  Cleansing the Temple

 

King David and his troops had come to Mahanaim fleeing his son Absalom’s rebel forces. Absalom crossed the Jordan River following them. David’s troops were re-provisioned and rested at Mahanaim.  They were organized, well-trained and experienced troops. Absalom had an untrained army with a new commander. David gave orders to deal gently with Absalom, because he still loved his son in spite of his treachery. David’s men went out to fight the army of Israel under Absalom, and Israel was defeated with great loss of life.

 

Paul had been arrested because of a mob attack against him on false charges that he was teaching against the laws of Moses. He was brought before the Jewish council by the Roman soldiers so they could gather evidence against him. When Paul asserted that his conduct was blameless before God, the high priest had him struck on the mouth. Not realizing that Ananias was the high priest, Paul cursed him for unfairly judging and striking him, saying “God shall strike you…” (v.3). When Paul learned that Ananias was the high priest, he repented out of respect for the office and Paul’s obedience to the Law. When Paul saw that the council was divided doctrinally between Pharisees and Saducees, he used his claim to be, by conscience and training, a Pharisee, to stir up dissention among the council and the Pharisees on the council came to his support. The soldiers again had to rescue Paul from an angry mob. That night the Lord told Paul to take courage, for he would have to bear witness to him also in Rome, as he had in Jerusalem.

 

After Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, he had stayed overnight in Bethany. Returning to Jerusalem in the morning, Jesus was hungry, and seeing a fig tree in the distance, he went to it to see if he could find any figs, but there were none. Jesus cursed the tree and his disciples heard it. In Jerusalem he went into the temple and cast out the money-changers and vendors, who had corrupted the holy place through greedy commercialization. The Jewish authorities heard and began plotting to destroy Jesus. Jesus and his disciples returned to Bethany for the evening, and the next day his disciples saw that the fig tree Jesus had cursed had completely withered. Jesus told them to trust in God’s power.

 

Absalom had chosen to follow his own will, attempting to overthrow David so he could be King immediately, rather than waiting for natural succession, and also by following the counsel of Hushai rather than God’s Word spoken by Ahithophel. The result was defeat and destruction. Paul had been charged with breaking Jewish laws and teaching others to do so. Paul was brought before Ananias to be examined on those charges, and ironically, was treated by God’s high priest in an unlawful manner. Paul cursed Ananias for striking him unjustly, not realizing that Ananias was the high priest, since Ananias had violated the Jewish Law by ordering Paul to be punished without a trial and conviction. When Paul learned that Ananias was high priest, he repented, since Paul honored the office of high priest and the Jewish Law, although Ananias apparently did not. (According to a note in my Oxford Annotated Bible*, Ananias was assassinated in 66 A.D.)

Jesus expected to find fruit on the fig tree but found none, so he cursed the tree. He expected to find the Temple a house of prayer, but found it filled with greed and corruption. He drove out the venders and money-changers. He showed great restraint, not cursing the money changers and vendors, or the religious leaders. The fig tree symbolized the Jewish spiritual condition, which had the appearance of vitality, but which did not produce spiritual fruit, since they did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah. It also serves as a warning to all that God’s forbearance toward us is designed to bring us to repentance, and that we will be accountable to God.  Like a loving father, God treats us gently, not wanting us to perish, even though we have been rebellious. He gives us every opportunity to repent and turn from our rebelliousness. Ultimately Jesus is going to return to judge the earth, with authority and power to condemn those who haven’t borne fruit.

 

*The Oxford Annotated Bible, Ed. by Herbert G. May and Bruce M. Metzger, Acts 22:30-23:10n, pg. 1350, Oxford University press, New York, 1962,

14 Pentecost – Tuesday

first posted 08/22/05

 

2 Samuel 18:9-18,        Death of Absalom

Acts 23:12-24,       Plot to assassinate Paul

Mark 11:27-12:12       Jesus’ authority

 

Absalom, David’s son and usurper of David’s kingdom, was mounted on a mule during the battle against David’s army in the forest of Ephraim, and Absalom’s head was caught in a branch, causing him to be pulled from his mount and suspended by his head (or by his hair). One of David’s men saw and reported it to Joab one of the commanders of David’s army. Joab rebuked the soldier for not killing Absalom when he had the chance. Joab said he would have been happy to reward him, but the soldier replied that he would not have killed Absalom for any amount of money, because David had ordered his army to spare Absalom. The soldier said that if he had killed Absalom he would have borne the blame and Joab would not have protected him from punishment. Joab considered arguing with the soldier a waste of time, and went to where Absalom was still hanging, and killed Absalom, and Joab’s armor bearers also participated.

 

Once Absalom was dead, Joab sounded the trumpet to signal David’s army to stop pursuing Absalom’s soldiers, and Absalom’s men returned to their homes. Joab had Absalom thrown into a pit in the forest and covered with a great heap of stones. During his lifetime, Absalom had built a monument to himself to memorialize himself in the King’s Valley (thought to be the junction of the Kidron, Hinnom and Tyropoeon valleys south of the “City of David” in Jerusalem). If Absalom had sons to carry on his name (apparently; see 2 Samuel 14:27), he wasn’t satisfied with that.

 

Paul had been accused of desecrating the temple and teaching Jews to break the Laws of Moses. He had been taken into custody by the Roman garrison. Jewish religious authorities had conspired with a group of forty Jews who had vowed to assassinate Paul as he was brought from the garrison to the Jewish religious court. The son of Paul’s sister heard of the plot and went to Paul in prison and told him. Paul summoned his guard and asked the guard to take Paul’s nephew to the commander of the garrison. The commander took the nephew aside and was told of the plot. The commander told the nephew not to tell anyone else that the commander knew of the plot.

 

The commander summoned two Roman officers and told them to prepare, at 9 PM, to transport Paul, with a guard of four hundred and seventy soldiers and cavalry, to the Roman Governor of Judea, Felix, at Caesarea. Paul was to be provided with a mount to ride.

 

After having thrown the vendors out of the temple the day before, Jesus returned, and was walking in the temple. The religious authorities came to him and demanded to know Jesus’ authority for doing these things. Jesus replied that he would also ask them a question, and if they answered Jesus he would answer them. Jesus asked them if John the Baptizer’s authority was from God or men. The religious leaders argued among themselves, realizing that if they said John’s authority was from God, they would be guilty of not heeding John, but if they said John’s authority was worldly they were afraid of public reaction, because the people considered John a genuine prophet. They decided not to answer Jesus, and Jesus refused to answer them.

 

Then Jesus told the parable (a common life experience used to teach a spiritual truth) of the vineyard. A man planted a vineyard with a winepress and a tower and rented it to tenants while the owner was traveling in a distant land. At the proper time, the owner sent a servant to receive his portion of the fruit of the vineyard, but the tenants beat the servant and sent him away without payment. The owner sent other servants to collect, and they were similarly mistreated and injured, and some were killed. Finally owner sent his son, thinking that the tenants would certainly respect the owner’s son. But the wicked tenants realized that the son would inherit the vineyard, and they killed the son, so that when the owner died the tenants would possess the vineyard. Jesus told his hearers that the owner would have no choice but to come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others.

 

Then Jesus quoted Psalm 118:22-23: “The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” (Mark 12:11). The religious authorities realized that Jesus had told the parable against them, and they wanted to arrest Jesus but were afraid to, because of the crowd.

 

Joab disobeyed David’s order to spare Absalom. Joab was outwardly subservient to David, but did whatever served his own interests. The issue was who was in authority. David’s authority was from God. Joab’s authority was his own self-interest, and Absalom’s usurpation had been Absalom’s attempt to establish his own authority. Absalom was vain and self-centered. He was handsome and had beautiful hair (2 Samuel 14:25-26).

It is ironic that Absalom was killed by his enemy as Absalom hung between heaven and earth by his head (or his hair), and was buried in obscurity in the forest under a pile of rocks instead of his memorial in the cemetery of Kings in Jerusalem (which no longer exists; “The present monument called ‘Absalom’s Tomb,’ still standing today in the Kidron, valley is of Hellenistic or Roman date, and has no connection with the original ‘Absalom’s monument’”*).

 

The authority of the Sanhedrin (Jewish council of elders) was ostensibly from God, but they used their authority to accomplish their own interests, contrary to God’s will, and contrary to the Roman civil authority. The Jewish leaders were in direct conflict with God’s will, and Romans were cooperating with God’s will.  

 

The Jewish religious leaders challenged and resisted Jesus’ authority. Where had they gotten their authority to do that? They expected Jesus to answer them while they refused to answer him. Their consideration of their answer was not to find the truth but to serve their own interest. They were using their authority to accomplish their own purposes and were more interested in popular opinion than the will and approval of God.

 

How are we doing? In a sense we are all tenants in the Lord’s vineyard, whether we are Christians or not. The purpose of this creation is to create an eternal kingdom of God’s people who trust and obey the Lord. This life is the selection process and we make the choice for ourselves. We have been given use of the vineyard in order to produce fruit for the Lord. We will be accountable to the Lord for our fruitfulness. Jesus is God’s only “anointed” eternal King (Christ and Messiah both mean “anointed” in Greek and Hebrew, respectively; see also John 1:32-34; Acts 4:12; John 14:6).

If we claim to be in the King’s army we will be accountable for knowing and obeying the King’s orders. Are we seeking and doing the Lord’s will or are we pursuing whatever we perceive as our own self-interests. Are we building eternal lives on the cornerstone of Jesus Christ (compare Matthew 7:21-29), or are we settling for a worldly monument to ourselves? Are we building the Lord’s kingdom or our own empire?

 

*The Oxford Annotated Bible, Revised Standard Version, Ed. by Herbert G. May and Bruce M. Metzger, 2 Solomon 18:16-18n, p. 400, New York, Oxford University Press, 1962.

 

Alternative Entry

first posted 09/15/03

 

2 Sam. 18:9-18   The Death of Absalom

Acts 23:12-24  The Plot to Assassinate Paul

Mark 11:27-12:12  Jesus’Authority; Parable of the Vineyard

 

During the battle between King David’s army and his son, Absalom, the usurper, and his forces in the Forest of Ephriam, Absalom was found hanging by his head (or his hair) in mid-air, having been caught in the branches of a tree as he rode under and been pulled off his mount. He was still alive, and David had instructed his forces to spare Absalom, but Joab didn’t hesitate to kill him as he hung. Absalom was buried in the forest under a pile of rocks, instead of in the tomb he had created for himself near Jerusalem.

 

The Jews devised a plot to assassinate Paul as he was being brought back before the Jewish council, but Paul’s nephew heard about it and warned Paul, who sent the nephew to tell the Roman magistrate. The Roman magistrate had Paul transferred secrectly during the night to Caesarea under heavy guard.

 

The Jewish leaders challenged Jesus’ authority for what he was doing, and, in reply, Jesus asked them a question about John the Baptist’s authority. Since the Jewish authorities refused to be pinned down to an answer, Jesus also declined to answer them. Then he told them the Parable of the Vineyard: The owner had left the vineyard in the care of the tenants, who refused to give the owner his share of the fruit. Servants sent by the owner were beaten and treated shamefully. So the Owner sent his son, the heir, but the tenants killed him, so that they might receive the inheritance. Jesus warned that the owner would destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. The Jewish leaders were enraged and wanted to arrest Jesus, because they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the crowd.

 

Absalom’s vanity and selfishness were his ruin. He was a handsome man and quite proud of his long hair (14:25-26) He had created a memorial to himself outside Jerusalem where he intended to be buried, saying that he had no son to keep his name in remembrance, although 14:27 states that he had three sons. (Perhaps he felt his sons inadequate to carry on his name and memory.) He was the natural heir to the throne, but didn’t want to wait to inherit, so he plotted against his father, who had pardoned him from death for the murder of Amnon (2 Sam. 13 & 14). Note the irony of his demise, caught between heaven and earth by his hair, helpless, facing retribution for his treachery.

Paul was targeted for assassination, charged falsely of preaching against Jewish Law by Jewish religious leaders who were violating that law by punishing Paul, even attempting to murder him, without trial and conviction. The Lord had already told Paul that he must also testify in Rome (v.11). Gentile (pagan) civil authorities became the instruments to accomplish God’s will.

The Jewish religious authorities challenged Jesus’ authority. Jesus responded with a question to them about John the Baptist’s authority, which subtly challenged their authority. Their consideration of an answer was not a search for truth but for an answer which would serve their interests. We’re all tenants in our Lord’s vineyard. How will we treat his Son?  

 

14 Pentecost – Wednesday

first posted 08/23/05

2 Samuel 18:19-33,       David mourns Absalom

Acts 23:23-35,      Paul transferred to Caesarea

Mark 12:13-27       The resurrection

 

Joab, commander of David’s army, had killed David’s son, Absalom, contrary to David’s direct order. Ahimaaz, the son of the high priest, Zadok, volunteered to tell David that Absalom’s conspiracy to usurp the throne had been defeated. Joab wouldn’t allow him to do that errand, and assigned a Cushite (an Ethiopian slave) to take the report to David. Ahimaaz asked for permission to go with the Cushite. Joab asked him why he insisted on going; there would be no reward for the news. Regardless how the message would be received, Ahimaaz insisted on going, so Joab let him. Ahimaaz took an easier route and arrived before the Cushite at Mahanaim where David was staying.

 

David was sitting by the gate to the city, and the watchman called out that a runner was approaching. David knew that a lone runner would be bringing a message. Then the watchman reported another runner. The watchman recognized Ahimaaz as the first runner, and since David knew Ahimaaz was a good person, he assumed he was bringing good news. Ahimaaz reported the good news that David’s army had defeated Absalom’s men, but when David asked about Absalom Ahimaaz denied knowing Absalom’s outcome. Then the Cushite arrived and gave the good news of the enemy’s defeat, and when David asked about Absalom, the Cushite replied that he hoped all David’s enemies might receive the same fate as Absalom. David was deeply grieved for his son and went to his chamber to mourn for him in privacy, saying that he wished he had died instead of his son.

 

A plot to assassinate Paul had been discovered, and Claudius Lysias, the commander of the Roman garrison in Jerusalem, had Paul transferred secretly at night, with a large number of soldiers protecting him, to the headquarters of the provincial governor, Antonius Felix, at Caesarea. Paul was given a mount so he didn’t have to walk. The commander sent a letter explaining to the governor that the commander had saved Paul from being killed by the Jews, after learning that Paul was a Roman citizen. The commander said that he had brought Paul to the Jewish court (Sanhedrin) to hear the charges against Paul, and found that Paul had done nothing deserving execution or imprisonment. Having discovered a Jewish plot to assassinate Paul, the commander was sending Paul to Felix, and had ordered Paul’s accusers to present their accusations to Felix.  

 

The soldiers took Paul by night to Antipatris, on the way to Caesarea. The next day the unmounted soldiers returned to Jerusalem, and the mounted soldiers took Paul on to Caesarea, where they presented Paul and the letter to Felix. After reading the letter, Felix asked Paul which province he was from, and on hearing that he was from Cilicia, he told Paul he would hear the case when Paul’s Jewish accusers arrived. Meanwhile he had Paul under guard at Herod’s Preaetorium (the governor’s residence).

 

The Jewish religious authorities sent some Pharisees and Herodians (Jews who supported the Roman civil government of Israel) to try to get Jesus to say something they could use to destroy him. They told Jesus that they knew Jesus’ teachings to be true, and that he was not partial toward any human individual or group, so they asked Jesus whether it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not. Jesus was not fooled by their insincerity, and asked them why they were testing him. Jesus asked them to show him a coin, and then asked whose likeness it bore. It had Caesar’s likeness, as they said. Then Jesus told them to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s, and they were amazed by Jesus.

 

Sadducees came to Jesus and asked about the resurrection (existence after physical death). Sadducees did not believe in a resurrection. They posed a hypothetical question in which seven brothers had all been married consecutively to one woman. Each had died while married to her, and the surviving brothers had fulfilled the custom of taking the widow as wife in order to raise children for the deceased brother. Since she had been the wife of each, whose wife would she be in the resurrection?

 

Jesus suggested that they were wrong because they didn’t know the scriptures, and they did not know God’s power. Jesus said that marriage is not a part of resurrected life; the resurrected are like angels. Jesus also cited scriptures from Exodus 3:6, where God said, “I am the God of Abraham …Isaac, and …Jacob. He is not the God of the dead but of the living” (Mark 12:26-27) and those who do not believe in the resurrection, like the Sadducees, are wrong.

 

Ahimaaz was the son of the high priest, and had been appointed a messenger by King David. He was anxious to give David the good news, and he said that he wasn’t seeking any reward and that he would accept the consequences of David’s response to his message. But when the time came, he failed to give David the full message, the bad as well as the good news. Ahimaaz took the “easy road” geographically and morally. Joab was responsible for Absalom’s death, contrary to David’s order, but he preferred to send the news by a Cushite (Ethiopian; black) slave. Joab was willing to defy David’s command, but he wanted someone else much more “expendable” to deliver the news.

 

David had a reputation for killing messengers who brought bad news. The Amalekite claimed (falsely; compare 1 Samuel 31:4) responsibility for killing Saul, thinking it would be good news to David, but David had him killed for it (2 Samuel 1:5-16). The murderers of Ish-bosheth suffered a similar fate (2 Samuel 4:1-12).

 

The Cushite messenger gave the complete message, but he very carefully phrased it so that David understood, but was unlikely to hold the messenger personally responsible for the bad news.

 

Claudius Lysias, the commander of the garrison in Jerusalem, sent a very diplomatic letter to Governor Felix, his superior in Caesarea, presenting the facts in a way to make himself look good, and leaving out details that didn’t.

 

The Jewish religious authorities were not interested in telling the truth. Their message was a lie fabricated to accomplish their own agenda. The insincerity of their message should be obvious to anyone who is seeking truth. They certainly didn’t deceive Jesus, who knows our innermost thoughts. He answered them in a way that was completely truthful, and beyond reproach.

 

The Sadducees were not looking for truth; they were trying to justify their error. They considered themselves authorities on the scriptures and about God, but they ignored the parts of the scriptures and the aspects of God’s character which didn’t suit their ideology.

When Jesus revealed their errors, instead of accepting the truth and changing, they became more determined to destroy Jesus.

 

Jesus is the Lord’s anointed eternal king, the heir to David’s throne (Christ and Messiah both mean “anointed, in Greek and Hebrew, respectively). Jesus is the Word of God in human flesh (John 1:1-5; 14). God has given us his Word in the Bible and in Christ. The scripture contains both promises and warnings; good news and bad news.

 

All of us have sinned and fall short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1: 8-10). Sin is disobedience of God’s Word, and the penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). Salvation from eternal death is by God’s grace (free gift; unmerited favor) through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). Jesus is God’s only provision for our salvation (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). There is a Day of Judgment coming when everyone who has ever lived will be accountable to the Lord for what each has done in this life (Matthew 25:31-46). Those who have trusted and obeyed Jesus and have been guided by his indwelling Holy Spirit will receive eternal life, but those who have rejected Jesus and refused to obey him will receive destruction eternally.

 

In a sense we are all guilty of crucifying Jesus, because we have all sinned and made Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross necessary. Without Jesus, we’re all, like Absalom, guilty of rebelling against the Lord’s anointed Savior and King. Without Jesus Christ, we are all, like Joab, guilty of disobedience of God’s Word and of killing God’s Son. We won’t have the option of sending someone else to face the Lord’s judgment; we’ll have to do it ourselves. The only way to escape eternal destruction is to be “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) through obedient trust in Jesus Christ by his 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). Jesus is the way, the truth and the (real, eternal) life (John 14:6).

 

Are you willing to hear and proclaim the whole truth? 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 09/16/03

 

2 Sam 18:19-33  David Mourns for Absalom

Acts 23:23-35  Paul Sent to Caesarea

Mark 12:13-27  Taxes to Caesar; Resurrection Question

 

Ahimaaz, son of Zadok the priest, had been a messenger for David during David’s escape from Jerusalem ahead of Absalom’s takeover. (2 Sam. 15:35-37) Ahimaaz wanted to be the one to take the news of victory over Absalom to King David. But Joab didn’t want him to be the messenger. Instead, he chose a Cushite (an Ethiopian slave). David had killed the messengers who had brought him news of Saul’s death (2 Sam.1) and the murder of Isbosheth (2 Sam. 4:9-12). But Ahimaaz persisted. Joab said to Ahimaaz “Why will you run, my son, seeing that you have no reward for the tidings?” But Ahimaas said “Come what may…I will run”. So Joab let him go also. Ahimaas took a faster route than the Cushite, and arrived first. Ahimaaz told David about the victory but, lacking the courage to tell of Absalom’s death, pretended not to know Absalom’s fate, leaving that for the Cushite to tell. David mourned for Absalom.

 

The Roman magistrate, learning of the plot by the Jews to assassinate Paul, had him sent to Roman Governor Felix at Caesarea secretly at night under heavy guard, since Paul was a Roman citizen.  Paul was held there until his accusers were to present their case before Governor Felix.

 

Some of the Pharisees (experts in Jewish Laws) and Herodians (members or supporters of the Herod Dynasty, who were allied with the Pharisees in common opposition to Jesus’ teaching) attempted to trap Jesus in a political controversy, by asking if it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. Jesus knew their hypocrisy (v.15), and gave them an answer no one could refute. The Saducees, who believed in the resurrection of the dead, asked him a similar question about the law as relating to the resurrection, but Jesus likewise avoided their trap.

 

Ahimaaz wanted to be a messenger, even though he knew there was no reward for him in it, but he stopped short of declaring the whole message, for fear of the personal consequences to himself. David mourned Absalom’s death, even though Absalom deserved and had brought his death upon himself. Paul didn’t deserve death or imprisonment, according to the word of the Roman magistrate to Governor Felix. The Roman magistrate imprisoned and transported Paul under heavy guard, not because Paul was a bad guy, but to protect Paul from the Jewish religious leaders.

Look at the malice with which Jesus was treated by the Jewish religious authorities. They plotted to ask him questions which were designed to entrap him, so that he could be arrested and destroyed. [This attack followed Jesus’ Parable of the Vineyard (see entry for Tuesday, September 16; Mark 12:1-12). Is there any doubt that they were demonstrating the very attitudes of the tenants of the vineyard toward the vineyard owner’s son? Jesus had told them the truth; they just didn't want to hear it.]

If the world treated Jesus that way, his disciples should not expect any better treatment. Why would anyone want to carry the message of victory in Jesus, seeing how the world treats the messengers? Do his messengers have the courage to deliver the whole message, rather than just the most palatable parts? 

 

14 Pentecost – Thursday

first posted 08/24/05

 

2 Samuel 19:1-23,       Restoring a divided nation

Acts 24:1-23,       Paul tried by Felix

Mark 12:28:34       The great commandment

 

King David was mourning for his son Absalom, although Absalom had tried to usurp David’s throne. Because David was mourning, his army was not able to celebrate their victory in ending Absalom’s conspiracy. Joab, the commander of David’s army, came to David and told him that by his actions he was causing his loyal followers shame. David’s army had saved the lives of David and all his sons, daughters, wives and concubines, but instead of appreciating and rewarding those who loved and were loyal to him, David chose to mourn Absalom, who had hated and betrayed David. David’s actions revealed that David cared nothing for his loyal followers in comparison to Absalom. Joab told David that if he continued to ignore his followers, they would abandon David. David heeded Joab and got up and sat at the city gate, and his people gathered around him.

 

The men of Israel who had followed Absalom had fled to their homes, and there was considerable worry and stress among the people. The people realized that King David had delivered them from the Philistines and the other enemies of Israel, but had been driven out by Absalom’s rebellion. The people had anointed Absalom as their king, but he was dead. They realized that they needed to bring David back as their king.

 

David sent a message to Zadok and Abiathar suggesting that they lead and help the elders of Judah to restore David’s kingdom. David also promised that he would give Amasa (David’s nephew) command of David’s army in place of Joab. By appealing to tribal loyalty, David persuaded the people of Judah to ask him to return. David returned to the Jordan River, and the people of Judah came out to meet and welcome him.

 

Shimei, of the tribe of Benjamin, of the family of Saul, had cursed and thrown rocks at David when David was fleeing Jerusalem during Absalom’s revolt. Ziba, Saul’s servant, who David had made custodian of Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s crippled son, and sole survivor of Saul’s family, had lied to David, saying that Mephibosheth had joined Absalom’s conspiracy. Shimei and Ziba wanted to be the first to welcome David to make amends and seek forgiveness for their misconduct. Shimei brought with him a thousand men of the tribe of Benjamin to join David. Abishai, David’s nephew and one of three commanders of David’s army thought Shimei should be executed for cursing the Lord’s anointed (David), but David wanted to unify Israel under his kingdom, not divide it. David forgave Shimei and gave his word that Shimei would not die for his sin.

 

Paul was awaiting trial before Felix the Roman Governor if Judea. After five days, Ananias, the high priest, and some elders and a spokesman, Tertullus, came and presented the case against Paul. Tertullus told Felix that Paul was a ringleader of the “sect of the Nazarenes” (Acts 24:5), and an agitator among Jews in Israel and throughout the world. Paul was also accused of an attempt to profane the temple in Jerusalem.

 

Paul was given the opportunity to speak. Paul asserted that he had not been agitating in the temple or in the synagogues. Paul said that his accusers could not substantiate their charges. Paul admitted only that he worshiped the God of Israel, believed in the Jewish scriptures and in the “resurrection of the just and the unjust” (Acts 24:15) which his accusers also believed. Paul therefore was careful to obey God’s Word, so as not to sin against God or people. Paul was in Jerusalem to bring alms and offerings to his nation, and was in the temple in the process of ritual purification, not stirring up a crowd or causing a tumult. Paul said that Jews from Asia had stirred up the trouble and should have brought their accusations before Felix themselves. Paul said that the reason he was on trial before Felix was only because of his belief in the resurrection of the dead. 

 

Felix had an accurate knowledge of “the Way” (as Christianity was then called; Jesus is the Way (John 14:6). Felix put off the verdict until Lysias, the commander of the Roman garrison in Jerusalem, could be present. Meanwhile he had Paul detained in custody, with some liberty and with access to provisions by his friends.

 

A scribe asked Jesus which commandment was first in importance. Jesus replied that the first Commandment was that the Lord God is the only God, and that one shall love God with all one’s heart, soul, mind and strength. The second is that one shall love one’s neighbor as oneself. Those two commandments are the greatest. The scribe agreed, declared that Jesus had answered correctly, and said that obedience to those two commandments was more important than any religious ritual (offering or sacrifice). Jesus recognized that the scribe knew the truth of God’s Word, and told him that he was not far from God’s kingdom. 

 

The Lord loves us and doesn’t want any to perish eternally (John 3:16), but he gives us the freedom to choose whether to follow him or not. Jesus was driven out of Jerusalem and physical life in this world by his crucifixion. In one sense he is in exile in heaven, awaiting his return as the triumphant king. We may have cursed him and thrown “stones” at him; we may have lied to him and tried to use him to gain personal advantage. We may have fallen away from loyalty to the Lord’s anointed king. We may have joined with and worked for the worldly king who was trying to usurp the throne of the Lord’s anointed king, Jesus Christ).

 

The worldly king (Satan) has been defeated at the Cross of Jesus Christ. The worldly king can’t save us from the “Philistines,” the enemy of our souls (the part of us which is eternal). Only Jesus can save us from eternal destruction (Acts 4:12; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). Jesus is going to return in victory and power to reclaim his throne and establish his eternal kingdom. We should think seriously about inviting him to return and be our Savior and King. All of us have sinned and fall short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). If we realize that we have sinned against him, we should be wise enough to seek his forgiveness before he comes. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).  Jesus has promised to return on the Day of Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46). Once Jesus has “crossed the river” which separates this world and life from the next, it will be too late.

 

Paul (formerly named Saul of Tarsus) had approved of the death of Stephen, the first Christian martyr (Acts 7:59-8:1). Paul had persecuted, arrested and participated in killing the followers of Jesus Christ (Acts 8:3; 9:1-6). Paul heeded the risen and ascended Jesus’ call to repentance, was forgiven and spiritually healed (Acts 9:10-20). Paul could honestly testify that he had a clean conscience before God. He was in Jerusalem bringing spiritual gifts to his nation. Paul worshiped the God of Israel, the one true God, believed the Jewish scriptures, and in the resurrection to judgment of the just (saved) and unjust (unsaved; see John 5:28-29). The indwelling gift of the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ within him made the difference in Paul, compared to his Jewish accusers. It wasn’t Paul who was profaning the temple; it was his accusers (Mark 11:17).

 

God’s Word can be fulfilled by obedience of two commandments: to acknowledge and love God with every aspect of our life and being, and to love others as we love ourselves and want to be loved. No religious ritual can substitute for obedience to those commands. Jesus is God’s Word in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus is God made visible in human form (Colossians 2:8-9). The scribe demonstrated that he understood God’s Word; all he needed to do to enter God’s kingdom was to recognize that Jesus was God’s anointed savior and king and ask Jesus to forgive him and be his king.

 

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 09/17/03

 

2 Sam. 19:1-23  David’s Return to the Throne

Acts 24:1-23  Paul’s Trial before Felix

Mark 12:28-34  The Great Commandment

 

King David was mourning the death of his son Absalom, although Absalom had tried to overthrow him. David’s troops were deprived of the victory celebration and recognition for their accomplishment. Joab was the only one who could confront David about his Royal duties. The nation had been reduced to tribal factions. David asked his own tribe to bring him back to Jerusalem, so the Judahites (of the tribe of Judah) went out and met David as he crossed the Jordan, to bring him back into Jerusalem. Shimei, the Benjaminite (of the tribe of Benjamin) who had cursed and thrown stones at David as he fled Jerusalem and Absalom, also came to meet David, to beg forgiveness and plead for his life. Zima, the servant of Saul and later of Saul’s son, Mephibosheth, also rushed to the Jordan to curry favor with the King.

 

After five days Ananias, the high priest, came to Caesarea with some elders and a spokesman, to present to Governor Felix the case against Paul. They accused him of being an agitator and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, and even of attempting to profane the Temple, without any proof. Then Paul was allowed to make his defense. He denied the charges, stating that he was following the religious observance of the Jewish tradition when he was assaulted. He explained that the (Christian) Way that he followed worshiped the same God, followed the same laws, and reverenced the same scriptures, as did the Jews. Felix deferred a decision to the Roman magistrate Lysias, whose jurisdiction it was. (Probably Felix ducked a political controversy, not wanting to make enemies of the Jewish authorities. See v.27.) For two years Paul was held in custody, but with some liberty. Then Festus was appointed Governor to succeed Felix, and Felix left Paul in prison as a favor to the Jews.

 

As Jesus was being questioned by the religious authorities, looking for some charge they could use against him, a scribe, seeing that Jesus answered well, asked him which commandment Jesus considered the greatest. Jesus saw that the motive of the scribe was different than that of the Pharisees and Saducees who had been questioning him, and his answer was given accordingly. The scribe agreed with Jesus'answer, and Jesus commended him as being near to the Kingdom of Heaven.

 

David had to practically beg his own tribe to lead the process to regain his throne, because the nation had been fragmented into tribal factions by Absalom’s revolt. Once the process was started, with the Judahites coming out to meet David at the Jordan River, Shimei, the Benjaminite who had cursed and threw rocks at David as he fled Jerusalem and Absalom (16:5-14), scurried to meet David at the Jordan too, to beg forgiveness and to plead for his life.

Zima, the former servant of Saul who had become Saul’s Son, Mephibosheth’s steward, also rushed to the Jordan to ingratiate himself with the King, by helping David and his entourage cross the river. Zima had abandoned Mephibosheth and lied to David about Mephibosheth’s absence, and had brought provisions (which had come from Mephibosheth’s estate) for David’s troops in the wilderness, by which he induced David to transfer Mephibosheth’s estate to Zima. See 16:1-4. Zima was a conniver and manipulator. Zima surely realized that his malfeasance was about to be discovered, and he was trying to create a defense.

Felix let Paul languish in custody for 2 years to allow the magistrate make the decision so that Felix would not have to risk the political consequences of offending the Jewish religious leaders. (When he was succeeded by a new governor, Felix left Paul in prison as a favor to the Jews.) During the time Felix remained governor, he had Paul brought to him on numerous occasions, on the pretext of hearing Paul talk about faith in Christ Jesus, but Paul’s talk about justice  (doing what is morally as well as legally right), self-control and future judgment (accountability to God, and eternal reward or punishment) made Felix uncomfortable. He didn’t want to hear that stuff. His real reason for listening to Paul was to provide an opportunity for Paul to offer him a bribe for his release. (Felix wasn’t willing to risk political ramifications for the sake of justice, but he was willing, for money.) 

Jesus had been questioned by Pharisees and Saducees who were looking for a way to bring charges against him to destroy him. The scribe, “seeing that he answered them well” (v.28b) asked Jesus which commandment he regarded as the greatest. Jesus realized that the scribe’s motivation was different from that of the Pharasee’s and Saducees who had been questioning him. Jesus’ answer was as to a sincere seeker of truth. The scribe agreed with the truth of Jesus’ answer, and Jesus commended him as “not far from the Kingdom of God” (v. 34).

When we encounter Jesus, what is our motivation? Are we seeking the truth or just looking for “loopholes” -- ways to avoid what we rightfully deserve and know is coming? Are we willing to hear the truth, even if it makes us feel uncomfortable? Are we willing to do what we know is right because it’s right, or are we only interested in doing what’s profitable for us? Are we willing to seek forgiveness, or are we just trying to cover our rears? Jesus is coming back! Jesus is going to return to claim his Throne and to judge the whole earth! 

 

14 Pentecost – Friday

first posted 08/25/05

2 Samuel 19:24-43,       David returns to Jerusalem

Acts 24:24-25:12,       Paul appeals to Caesar

Mark 12:35-44       Teachings on piety

 

After Absalom’s revolt had been put down, King David returned to Jerusalem from exile. Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson through Jonathan, was crippled. He was the only survivor of Saul’s family, and David had made arrangements for him to live in David’s household. Mephibosheth’s steward, Ziba, had lied to David that Mephibosheth had joined Absalom’s revolt, and David had awarded Ziba Mephibosheth’s share of Saul’s estate. Mephibosheth came to meet David upon his return. Mephibosheth had not had any grooming or change of clothes the entire time David had been in exile.

David asked Mephibosheth why he had not joined David in exile, and Mephibosheth told David that Ziba had refused to get Mephibosheth a donkey, so that he could accompany David, since Mephibosheth was lame. Ziba had slandered Mephibosheth to David. David rescinded his decision to transfer Mephibosheth’s portion of Saul’s estate to Ziba, but Mephibosheth was willing to let Ziba keep it; Mephibosheth didn’t need it as long as he could continue in David’s household.

 

Barzillai, a resident of Rogelim (probably near Mahanaim, David’s headquarters in Gilead during his exile) had accompanied David to the Jordan River. Barzillai was eighty years old and very wealthy. He had provided for David and his men in exile, and David invited him to join David’s household, as a way of repaying him. Barzillai preferred to stay in Rogelim; at his age he could no longer taste food or drink, and did not want to be a burden. He wanted to die among his family and friends.

Barzillai suggested that David take Chimham (assumed to be Barzillai’s son) instead. David agreed to do for Chimham everything that would please Barzillai, and would be happy to do the same for Barzillai. David and Chimham went on to Gilgal, accompanied by most of the people of Judah, and half of the people of the northern ten tribes of Israel.   

 

The people of Israel accused the people of Judah of attempting to get special favor with David. The people of Judah replied that it was because David was of their tribe that they had shown greater support for him, and they had not sought or received any gift or benefit by their support. The people of Israel asserted that they had more interest in David than Judah, because they represented ten tribes, and they had been first to ask David to return to his throne, but the people of Judah prevailed in the argument with the people of the northern ten tribes.

 

Paul had been imprisoned in Caesarea awaiting a verdict by Governor Felix. After a number of days, Felix brought his wife Drucilla, a Jewess, and had Paul brought to talk with them about faith in Jesus Christ. As Paul talked about justice, self-control and future judgment, Felix became alarmed, and sent Paul back, saying he would send for him again later. Felix also hoped that Paul might offer him money, and conversed with him often. After two years, Felix was replaced by Porcius Festus, and Felix left Paul remain in prison as a favor to the Jews.

 

Three days after Festus arrived in Caesarea, he went to Jerusalem, and the Jewish religious leaders told him about Paul and asked that Paul be returned to Jerusalem, secretly intending to assassinate Paul on the way. Festus declined their request, and told them to come and present their case before Festus in Caesarea.

 

After ten days, Festus returned to Jerusalem and summoned Paul. His Jewish accusers were present and made many serious charges against Paul which they could not prove. In defense, Paul said that he had done nothing contrary to Jewish Law or against the temple, or Caesar. Festus wanted to please the Jews so he asked if Paul would be willing to go to Jerusalem to be tried by Festus there. Paul said that he was being tried by Roman tribunal, which was the proper jurisdiction. The Jews had not proved their accusations. Paul wasn’t trying to avoid justice, but he wanted (as a Roman citizen) to be tried by a Roman court. So Festus decided to send him to Rome to be tried by Caesar.

 

Jesus had come to Jerusalem, knowing that he would be crucified. He went daily to the temple to teach, and the people were glad to hear his teaching. Jesus said that the scribes (teachers of scripture) taught that the Christ is the son of David, but David, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit called the Christ his Lord (Psalm 110:1). No one was able to explain the apparent contradiction. Jesus warned his hearers to beware of scribes who liked public distinction by the clothes and title of their profession, and the public recognition which gave them preferential treatment at public gatherings, who make elaborate prayers as pretence of piety, and who steal from widows. Their outward pretense of piety will result in greater condemnation (at the Day of Judgment).

 

Jesus watched people as they placed their offerings into the temple treasury. Many rich people were putting in large sums, but a widow two copper coins (the smallest denomination in circulation, about a half cent each). Jesus told his disciples that the widow’s contribution was greater that the all the others, because while the rich contributed from their abundance, she had given sacrificially everything she had.

 

The ten northern tribes which became the Northern Kingdom, Israel, after the death of Solomon (1 Kings 12:16-20) was already showing signs of schism. They were arguing with Judah (which later became the Southern Kingdom), over who deserved special favor with the Lord’s anointed king. Judah’s claim was genealogical; Israel’s claim was “democratic” (first and most), although in terms of commitment, Judah supported David one hundred percent, and Israel’s support was only fifty-fifty.

 

Felix was more interested in popular support than in justice; instead of rendering a just verdict, he let Paul languish in prison as a favor to the Jews. Although he sought Jewish favor for political purposes, he was willing to grant Paul special favor for a price. He was also more interested in personal comfort than in truth; he was interested in hearing about faith in Jesus Christ, but didn’t want to hear about sin, judgment and Hell, just like a lot of modern “Christians.”

 

Paul was seeking justice, not special favor. Paul knew that God’s will was for him to testify to the Gospel in Rome as he had done in Jerusalem (and in Caesarea; Acts 23:11). Paul knew that the Jews were planning to assassinate him (Acts 23:12-16). He was not guilty of any of their charges or of anything deserving death. Paul had to appeal to Caesar to get a fair trial. He wanted a Roman tribunal, not necessarily Caesar himself, but Festus “passed the buck” to Caesar. Festus was happy to duck his responsibility, whether to Jerusalem or to Rome.

 

The Jewish authorities were more interested in the approval of humans than the approval of God. They were more interested in looking holy than being holy. Scribes sought preferential treatment. Their actions did not match their professions. Outward pretence of faith will receive greater condemnation on the Day of Judgment.

 

The Lord is not deceived by ostentation. The Lord’s judgment will be just and impartial. Do we expect special favor because we’ve been born into the Church, or into faith? Do we give to the Lord only what we must?

 

As Christians, we’re citizens of the Kingdom of God and we can appeal to the King. Our judge is not subject to political manipulation, or motivated by self-interest. He has just one standard, by which he judges everyone the same way: Jesus Christ. We can receive not just justice, but forgiveness. Jesus already died for our sins; they’ve been paid in full. All we need to do is appeal to God for forgiveness in the name of Jesus.

 

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 09/18/03

 

2 Sam. 19:24-43  David Comes to Jerusalem

Acts 24:24-25:12  Paul Appeals to Caesar

Mark 12:35-44  Teaching on Pride, the Widow's Offering

 

David crossed the Jordan River on his way to Jerusalem to reclaim his throne. The people of Judah had come to meet him and bring him back. Mephibosheth, Saul’s son whom David had adopted also came. Mephibosheth was lame, and his servant Ziba had abandoned him in Jerusalem when David had been forced to flee Absalom’s revolt.

Ziba had lied to David about Mephibosheth’s absence and had manipulated David into giving him the estate which he had administered in Mephibosheth’s behalf. Now Mephibosheth told David his side of the story. David restored half the estate to Mephibosheth. Barzillai, a Gileadite (from the region beyond the Jordan, where David had stayed) who had provisioned David’s troops in their exile, came with David to the Jordan.

David wanted him to continue on to Jerusalem and join his court, but Barzillai was old and preferred to remain in his homeland. He asked David to take Chimham (probably Barzillai’s son) instead. The people of Judah were solidly for King David, but the men of Israel (the northern ten tribes) were ambivalent (2 Samuel 19:40). The northern tribes were jealous of Judah’s favor with the King, because David had moved the Capital from Hebron to Jerusalem, and Israel had also been the first to call for King David’s return to the throne, although Judah had gone to the river to meet him and bring him to Jerusalem.

 

When Festus arrived in the province as Governor to replace Felix, he went to Jerusalem and the Jews told him about Paul. The Jewish religious leaders in Jerusalem wanted Festus to have Paul brought to Jerusalem for trial, so that they could have him ambushed and killed on the way. But Festus told them to come to him in Caesarea instead. Soon after Festus returned to Caesarea, the Jewish authorities came and presented a lot of serious accusations against Paul, but with no proof. Festus wanted to please the Jews, so he asked if Paul was willing to go to trial in Jerusalem. Paul knew that he wasn’t going to get a fair trial from the Jews, and since he was a Roman citizen, he appealed for trial before Caesar, so Festus decided to send him to Rome.

 

Jesus taught in the temple. He asked how the Christ could be both David’s son and David’s Lord. From a human perspective that seems impossible, but it became reality through God’s power. Jesus also warned against using one’s religion to enhance one’s social position, and he taught that it is not the size of the offering but the attitude of commitment it represents which matters.

 

Mephibosheth was grateful that King David had sought him out and brought him into his household and provided him with everything he needed. He loved the King and was glad to see him return. He was not envious that David had allowed Ziba to keep half the estate, since Mephibosheth recognized that in the King he had everything he needed. He was willing to give back part of what the King had given him, to use as he saw fit, and he forgave Ziba, not demanding retribution. (Barzillai didn’t seek any reward for himself, but when offered, asked it to be given to someone who needed it: Chimham.)

The Judahites were solidly for the return of the King, but the Israelites (the northern 10 tribes, were ambivalent; they thought they should receive more honor and recognition from the King. They couldn’t fully rejoice in the King’s return, because they were focused on their own selfish interests.

When the new Roman Governor arrived, the religious leaders in Jerusalem thought they could manipulate him into doing things their way. They weren’t interested in justice and truth. They wanted to be rid of a troublemaker so they could continue using their religion to serve their self-interest. Governor Festus wasn’t interested in truth and justice either; he wanted to ingratiate himself with the religious leaders, so he tried to talk Paul into going to Jerusalem for trial. Paul was smart enough to realize that his only hope for truth and justice was by claiming his right as a Roman Citizen and appealing in the name of the Emperor.

Jesus taught that the wisdom and power of God is greater than that of men. He taught against religion which is used to further self-interest (as opposed to faith in God’s power to meet our needs). He also taught that it is an attitude of commitment, rather than size, which determines a right offering (and attitude) to God.

God has given us everything we enjoy. Will we be thankful to God for what we have been given, or will we complain about what we don’t have?  Do we recognize God’s provision, or do we figure we earned it; we did it ourselves?

As Christians, we’re citizens of the Kingdom of God and we can appeal to the King. Our judge is not subject to political manipulation, or motivated by self-interest. He has just one standard, by which he judges everyone the same way: Jesus Christ. We can receive not just justice, but forgiveness. Jesus already died for our sins; they’ve been paid in full. All we need to do is appeal to God for forgiveness in the name of Jesus.

 

14 Pentecost – Saturday

first posted 08/26/05

 

2 Samuel 23:1-7, 13-17,       David’s last words

Acts 25:13-27,       Paul’s hearing before King Agrippa

Mark 13:1-13       Signs of the end of the age

 

David was a shepherd boy whom God raised up and anointed to be the King of Israel. David was also a highly regarded musician and poet to whom many of the Psalms, the hymns of the religion, were attributed. He was also a prophet; the Spirit of the Lord spoke through David, as Jesus declared in Mark 12:35-36. The Lord had shown David that he blesses and prospers nations whose leaders rule justly in the fear (awe; respect; obedience) of God.

 

The Lord has established an everlasting covenant with the house (dynasty, and spiritual family) of David. In that covenant all things have their proper order and are secure. The Lord provides all help and satisfies every need for those who abide in his covenant. But godless people are like thorny weeds; they threaten and damage everyone they come in contact with. They are worthless and good for nothing but destruction by fire, and those who must deal with them need armor and weapons.

 

When David was being pursued by Saul, David gathered an army of those who were dissatisfied with Saul’s reign, and they took refuge in caves at Adullam, about 13 miles west of Bethlehem. At that time the Philistines had a garrison at Bethlehem, and a band of them was encamped in the Rephaim valley. It was a difficult time for David, and he spoke longingly, wishing he could drink water from the well of Bethlehem, his hometown. David had a group of military heroes who were his personal bodyguards, and three of them, at great personal risk, broke through the Philistine encampment, drew water from the well at Bethlehem and brought it back to David. David wouldn’t drink it, because of the risk the men had taken. He poured it out, as an offering to the Lord.

 

Governor Festus had decided to send Paul to Rome for trial before Caesar. King Herod Agrippa II, ruler of Galilee and Perea (the eastern bank of the Jordan River)   and his sister Bernice visited their sister Drusilla, Festus’ wife, for many days. While there, Festus told them about Paul’s case, and The Jews had asked Festus to turn Paul over to them, but Festus refused to pass sentence upon Paul without a trial.

Paul’s accusers had come to Caesarea for Paul’s trial before Festus. Festus told Agrippa that the Jews could not prove any criminal charges; the only basis for their dispute was over “superstitions” (religion) and the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Festus felt unable to determine the facts of such matters, and had suggested returning Paul to Jerusalem for trial. But Paul had asked to be tried by a Roman court, so Festus had decided to detain him until he could send him to Caesar. Agrippa wanted to hear Paul for himself, and Festus arranged it the next day.

 

Festus and his royal guests were in a large hall with military officials and prominent men of Caesarea. Paul was brought in, and Festus told the assembly that the Jewish people had brought charges against Paul and demanded Paul’s execution. But having examined Paul, Festus found Paul not guilty of anything deserving death. Paul had appealed to Caesar, and Festus had decided to send Paul to Rome, but he wanted to examine Paul so that he could decide what to charge Paul with to justify his trial by Caesar.

 

Jesus was in Jerusalem the week before his crucifixion, knowing what would occur. He spent the days teaching in the temple. As he and his disciples were leaving the temple one of them commented on the beauty of the buildings and their adornment. (The temple had been built by Herod the great, and was not yet finished.) Jesus replied that those great buildings would be utterly destroyed.

 

As they sat on the Mount of Olives, in sight of the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Jesus privately when the destruction Jesus had prophesied would happen, and what would be the signs that it was about to happen. Jesus warned them to be careful not to be led astray by false messiahs and false prophets. “Many will come in my name, saying ‘I am he” and they will lead many astray” (Mark 13:6). His disciples must not be alarmed by wars and rumors of wars, of earthquakes, and famines, because these things will occur before the beginning of suffering.

 

Disciples can be expected to be punished and examined by rulers and kings for Jesus’ sake, and it will be an opportunity for disciples to testify to the truth of the Gospel. The Gospel must be preached to all nations before the end of the age. When disciples are required to give their testimony before officials, they are not to worry beforehand about what to say, because the Holy Spirit will speak through them at that very moment. (I personally testify to the truth and fulfillment of that promise.) Disciples will be hated and killed for Jesus’ name’s sake, even by their own families. “But those who endure to the end will be saved” Mark 13:13).

 

David had been anointed by the Holy Spirit when God chose him to succeed Saul as King of Israel (1 Samuel 16:13-14a). David is an example of the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy that the disciples would be persecuted for the Gospel and would given what to say by the Holy Spirit in testimony about Jesus before worldly officials. The Lord taught David by his Word and experience, as David was guided by the Holy Spirit, that the Lord blesses and prospers nations whose leaders rule justly in the fear (respect and obedience) of God.

 

In David, God was creating a New Covenant of grace (unmerited favor; a free gift) through faith (in Christ; Ephesians 2:8-9) to replace the Old Covenant of the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). David was the forerunner and illustration of the “Lord’s anointed” perfect eternal King, Jesus Christ, the Son of David, whom God had promised (2 Samuel 7:1-17).

 

Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise of an eternal king, and of the New Covenant (Hebrews 8:6-13; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25). Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah (both words mean “anointed” in Greek and Hebrew, respectively). Jesus is the Son of David (Matthew 1:1, 17; 21:9), the eternal heir to David’s throne (Mark 11:10). Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:4-7), David’s birthplace.

Jesus is the “living water” (John 7:38-39) through his Holy Spirit, which gives his disciples life and hope in even the most desperate circumstances; Jesus is the water from the well of Bethlehem, obtained for us at the cost of Jesus’ life (compare Isaiah 12:2-3). Jesus is the only one who baptizes (“anoints”) with the Holy Spirit (John 1:32-34). Jesus provides, by his indwelling Holy Spirit, the spiritual armor and weapons we need to stand against the godless people and rulers of this world (2 Samuel 23:6-7; Ephesians 6:10-18).

 

The Roman rulers were more just than the Jewish religious rulers at the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Lysias, the commander of the Roman garrison in Jerusalem, and Felix, Festus and Agrippa at Caesarea were unwilling to execute Paul without a fair trial on unsubstantiated accusations by the Jewish religious rulers, but the Jews weren’t willing to give him a fair trial; they wanted to assassinate him at the first opportunity. The Jewish leaders claimed to know, respect and obey God, but were blatantly disobeying the Fifth Commandment, not to kill, the Eighth Commandment to not bear false witness, and the First Commandment to fear, love, trust and obey God.

 

Jesus predicted the destruction of the temple. The Jews fulfilled the prophecy of David that unjust and godless rulers bring disaster upon nations. Their temple was beautiful and grand, but their leadership was corrupt. They had allowed the temple to become a den of robbers (Mark 11:17-18). They thought they were authorities on scripture, but failed to recognize Jesus as the Messiah and fulfillment of God’s Word (John 1:1-5; 14). They wanted to destroy Jesus, but they destroyed themselves instead.

 Judaism effectively ended at Jesus’ crucifixion. The veil (curtain) of the temple, separating God’s presence in the Holy-of Holies from the congregation,  was torn in two from top to bottom, signaling that Jesus had opened the  new way into God’s presence, through the gift of his Holy Spirit (Mark 15:38). Jesus’ death on the cross was the sacrifice once for all time and all people for forgiveness of sin and reconciliation with God, to be received by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant of Law, which was dependant upon the temple sacrificial system, no longer applies; Jesus’ sacrifice is the only sacrifice acceptable to God.

The temple was completed in 65 A.D.  Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D., and the Jews were scattered throughout the world. The nation of Israel ceased to exist, until reestablished following World War II, when the Jews began returning. The temple has never been rebuilt.

 

The history of God’s dealing with Israel should be a warning to nations and also to the Church. In many ways, America and the Church are each in much the same condition as was Israel and Judaism at the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Our Churches and Government buildings look grand, and our spiritual and political leaders claim to know the Lord but don’t obey or teach obedience to God’s Word. God’s Word is absolutely true and reliable. God’s Word is eternal, and is fulfilled over and over, as conditions for its fulfillment are met. Just because it was fulfilled once doesn’t mean it can’t or won’t be fulfilled again. Jesus has promised to return to judge everyone who has ever lived (John 5:28-29; Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10). Are we ready for Christ’s return?

 

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 09/19/03

2 Samuel 231-7, 13-17  Hymn of Praise; Water from the Well

Acts 25:13-27  Paul Brought before Agrippa

Mark 13:1-13  Destruction of the Temple; End of the Age

 

In a psalm of praise, characterized as his last words and as an oracle (prophetic revelation) from God, David says: “The Spirit of the Lord speaks by me; his Word is upon my tongue” (2 Samuel 23:2). “Yea, does not my house stand so (i.e. secure) with God? For he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and *secure*. For will he not cause to prosper all my help and my desire” (2 Samuel 23:5b, c). An incident is recalled from David’s military career, during the wars with the Philistines when he was in the cave at Adullam. He mentioned longing to drink water from the well at Bethlehem, and three of his mighty men went and broke through the camp of the Philistines and returned with water from the well at Bethlehem. David, knowing the great risk they had undertaken for him, refused to drink the water, and offered it instead as an offering to God.  

 

Festus, the new governor of the region was just settling in to his governorship. The former governor had left Paul in jail awaiting a ruling on false charges against him. The Jewish religious authorities were pressing Festus to have Paul sent to Jerusalem for trial, so that they could have him assassinated on the way. Paul, as a Roman citizen, had appealed to Caesar, and Festus had decided to send him to Rome, but needed to interrogate Paul so as to have some information to relay to Caesar Augustus, the Roman Emperor. Herod Agrippa, who was King of parts of Palestine, had come to visit the new governor, and so Festus had Paul brought before them, since King Agrippa expressed an interest in hearing Paul. Paul had testified in Jerusalem before the Jewish Council, then before Governor Felix, then before Festus, now before King Agrippa, and was soon to be testifying before Caesar Augustus.

 

As Jesus and his disciples were leaving the temple, the disciples commented on the magnificence of the building, and Jesus prophesied that the building (which wasn’t even finished yet) would soon be destroyed. (The temple was destroyed in 70 A.D.) The disciples asked, and Jesus began to teach them about the signs of the end of the age. Among other signs, he said that “…you will stand before governors and kings for my sake to bear testimony before them.  And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. And when they bring you to trial and deliver you up, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say; but say whatever is given you in that hour for it is not you who speak but the Holy Spirit” (Mark 13:9-11).

 

The Holy Spirit did speak through David, and he continues to this day to speak through David in the Psalms of David. David’s eternal future and hope were secure because he trusted in the promise of God to send his Son.  Jesus was the Spirit of God dwelling in flesh among us. “For in him (Jesus) the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.” (Colossians 2:9) 

What God promises is absolutely dependable and trustworthy. God fulfilled his promise to bring forth a descendant of David, Jesus, who is the everlasting Anointed King. What Jesus promises will be done. The temple was destroyed. Paul is the great example of the fulfillment of Jesus’ teaching about the signs of the end of the age. The Holy Spirit spoke through Paul and supplied the words Paul spoke on each occasion of his testimony, as the Lord had promised.

Isaiah said (by the Holy Spirit) "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation. With joy you shall draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name" (Isaiah 12:2-3).

Jesus said: "If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.' Now this he said about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were to receive;" (John 7:37b-39a).The end of the age started at the Cross. His disciples today can and do rely on that promise of empowerment by the Holy Spirit. Jesus has promised! Jesus is going to return to judge all people on earth!

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)?