Week of 16
Pentecost – Sunday
first posted 09/03/05
1 Kings 8:22-30 (31-40), Prayer of Dedication
1 Timothy 4:7b-16, Christian Conduct
John 8:47-59 Rejection of Jesus
The newly completed temple was being dedicated.
All the
elders and heads of tribes and families of
Solomon acknowledged that the Lord God of
Solomon acknowledged that no building built with human hands can contain the Lord, since all earth and heaven are not adequate to contain him. Yet Solomon prayed that the Lord would hear and honor the prayers of all people who prayed in faith toward God’s house; that the Lord’s eyes and ears would be upon his temple day and night. Solomon prayed that the Lord would cause his name (his character; his power and glory) to abide there, so that supplicants would receive forgiveness and answered prayers
Solomon prayed that the Lord would render justice,
condemning
the guilty and bringing their conduct back upon themselves, and
vindicating and
rewarding the righteous according to their deeds.
When the people experience drought, famine, plague (or storm, or flood) because they have turned away from obedient trust in the Lord, the Lord will honor the prayer of sincere repentance and obedient trust and will heal and restore them according to each individual’s heart, so that God’s people can learn the right way in which to live. God will reward or punish each individual according to each individual’s heart. Only the Lord can judge justly, because only the Lord knows each persons innermost thoughts and motives. May they fear (honor and respect) God’s power so that they may live long in the Promised Land.
The letters to Timothy are the discipling of a young Christian minister (apostle) by a mature Christian disciple and apostle (messenger of the Gospel). Christians are urged to train ourselves in godliness (to emulate God’s character; to apply God’s Word in our daily lives). People can understand the benefit of physical training; spiritual training is of much greater benefit, now in this present life, and in the life to come. We should accept this advice because it is true. We pursue godliness because our hope is in the living God who offers salvation to all people, and that offer is received and fulfilled in those who obediently trust him.
Timothy’s mentor told him to command and teach the
congregation under Timothy’s supervision to obey Jesus’ teachings and
commands.
Spiritual maturity is not a matter of chronological age (Some long time
“Christian” church members have failed to grow to spiritual maturity,
because
discipleship and godliness was not taught or expected of them).
Congregational
ministry (and also personal discipleship) involves (or should involve)
public
(or private) scripture reading, preaching, and teaching.
Believers are to stay within the Church (the "New Jerusalem") until
they have been "born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8) by the gift of the
indwelling Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8), before going out
into the world to proclaim the Gospel. They need to be filled, guided
and empowered by the Holy Spirit in order to accomplish Christ's
mission.
Disciples are
to
develop and apply the gifts they are given by, and with the guidance
of,
the Holy
Spirit. Timothy and all disciples are well advised to practice these
duties
(godliness, scripture-reading, proclaiming and teaching the Gospel, and
applying and developing the gifts of the Holy Spirit) so that everyone
can see
our progress. Each of us should take responsibility for our own
discipleship
and spiritual growth so that we receive fulfillment of the promise of
salvation
for ourselves, and can offer it also to others.
Jewish religious leaders thought they knew God and the scriptures, but they rejected Jesus as the promised Savior, the Messiah. Jesus told them that those who are godly recognize the Word of God; those who do not recognize Gods’ Word are not of God. That statement infuriated them; they suggested that Jesus was a Samaritan (regarded as a “mongrel,” of mixed breed; illegitimate, both racially and religiously) and possessed by a demon. Jesus replied that he didn’t have a demon, but he was glorifying his Father, and they were dishonoring Jesus. Jesus wasn’t going to seek his own glory; he was leaving it to God the Father, the righteous judge, who would vindicate Jesus.
Jesus declared that if anyone trusts and obeys
Jesus’ word,
he will never see (eternal, spiritual) death. The Jews thought this
statement
by Jesus proved that he had a demon, since Abraham and the prophets all
died
(physically). They asked Jesus if he claimed to be greater than Abraham
or the
prophets. Who was Jesus claiming to be? Jesus replied that he would not
attempt
to glorify himself to them because it would be pointless. Instead, God
the
Father would glorify Jesus.
Jesus said the Jewish authorities claimed
that God
was their God, but they had never known God. Jesus did know God and
obeyed
God’s Word. If Jesus denied knowing God, Jesus would be as much a liar
as these
Jews who claimed falsely to know God. Jesus said that Abraham rejoiced
to see
Jesus’ day; Abraham saw it (by faith) and rejoiced. The Jewish
authorities
thought Jesus couldn’t possibly have seen Abraham because Jesus wasn’t
physically old enough to have lived (physically) in Abraham’s time.
“Jesus said
to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM” (John
8:58; Jesus
was claiming oneness with God; note Exodus 3:14). At that statement the
Jewish
authorities took up stones to stone Jesus to death, but Jesus hid from
them and
left the temple.
God’s promise to David to establish an eternal dynasty on the throne of David was a conditional promise; requiring obedient trust in God. God required obedient trust from his “anointed” (Christ and Messiah both mean “anointed,” in Greek and Hebrew respectively), and he required it of his people. When God’s people strayed from obedient trust, they got into disaster.
The temple was to be a house of prayer, but the
condition
for answered prayer is obedient trust (see Conditions for Answered
Prayer;
sidebar, top right). God has no inclination to do what we ask of him,
if we
refuse to do what he asks of us. God allows bad things to happen to his
people
to teach them the way in which he wants us to live. Often it takes
disaster to
force us to recognize that we are not self-sufficient and that we need
the
Lord. Sometimes, as in
Timothy’s mentor ("discipler;" the Apostle Paul) taught Timothy to be a disciple, to grow in spiritual maturity, to seek, receive and develop the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, through obedient trust in God’s Word, and then to repeat that process with the members of the congregation in Timothy’s responsibility (2 Timothy 2:2). Salvation is by grace (unmerited favor, free gift to be received through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9). It is offered to all; but is received only from Jesus (1 31-34), only by those who trust and obey Jesus’ commands (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). Godliness is obedience to God’s will; the right way to live according to God’s judgment.
Christian disciples must take responsibility for their own discipling and spiritual growth. We need to spend time reading the scriptures daily, we need to seek biblical preaching and teaching in a local congregation, and we need to apply God’s Word in our daily lives, one day at a time.
The Jewish religious leaders thought they knew God
and the
scriptures, but they failed to recognize that Jesus was the Messiah,
the
fulfillment of God’s Word. Jesus was the “Son of David,” the eternal
heir to
David’s throne and the eternal
The Jewish leaders could not receive Jesus’ teaching because they had disobedient hearts, had closed their ears and had refused to see, because they were unwilling to repent and change their ways (Matthew 13:14-15; Isaiah 6:9-10; Acts 28:26-27)..
The Church, in some instances today, is a lot like Judaism at the time of Jesus’ first advent (his earthly ministry). Too often it is filled with members and led by ministers who have not been “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) through a personal relationship with Jesus by the gift of his Holy Spirit. They’re convinced that they know God and the scriptures, but they haven’t been disciples; they haven’t practiced or taught obedience of Jesus’ teachings. They consider themselves authorities and won’t accept correction from authentic disciples of Jesus Christ.
Because the Jewish leaders couldn’t recognize and accept Jesus as the Messiah, they had a worldly perspective; they had no experience of the spiritual dimension. Whereas Jesus talked about spiritual and eternal things, they could only understand worldly and temporal things; Jesus spoke of spiritual death but they could only think of physical death. Jesus’ words sounded crazy to them, but the problem was within themselves.
In the same way the anointing of the Holy Spirit is incomprehensible by those who have not been “reborn.” Jesus commanded his disciples to make disciples (not “church members”), and to teach obedience of all that Jesus teaches and commands (Matthew 28:19-20). It takes disciples to make disciples.
Is Jesus your Lord? 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)?
first posted
09/27/03
1 Kings 8:22-30 (31-40) Prayer of Dedication of the
1 Timothy 4:7b-16 Godliness
John 8:47-59 The Reward of Obedience
The Lord had told King David, before David’s son
Solomon was
born, that Solomon would be the one to build the
God’s promises are conditional -- only received by those who are
obedient
to him in faith. Solomon acknowledged that God cannot be confined in a
house
made by men, but asked that the Lord would hear and respond to prayer
and
supplication offered in faith and repentance there. Solomon prayed:
“…whatever
prayer, whatever supplication is made by any man or by all thy people
….then
hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and act, and
render to
each whose heart thou knowest, according
to all his
ways, (for thou, thou only, knowest the
hearts of all
the children of men); that they may fear thee all the days that they
live in
the land which thou gavest to our fathers”
(v.40)
Paul told Timothy, who Paul was discipling, “Train yourself in godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life, but also for the life to come” (v.7b-8). Paul told Timothy that obedience to God’s ways is to be practiced the way an athlete strives for excellence but that the rewards are greater because, while the physical body passes away, godliness is going to be of benefit for eternal life.
Jesus has promised that “if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death” (v.51) He was referring to “eternal” death and separation from God. (We are all eternal! Jesus said: “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear his (the Son of man’s, i.e. Jesus') voice and come forth -- those who have done good, to eternal life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of condemnation” –i.e. the “lake of fire”-eternal destrucion (John 5:28-29NKJV). “He who is of God hears the Words of God” (v.47a)
God is faithful. What he says he will do he does!
In order
to receive the benefit of his promises we must listen and do his Word.
We must
be obedient to God! God said of David: “I have found in David the son
of Jesse
a man after my heart, who will do all my
will” (Acts
13: 22; 1 Sam. 13:14). Solomon testified that God keeps his promises to
those
who are obedient to God’s Word. The occasion of the dedication of the
Paul taught Timothy the importance of
obedience
to God’s Word, and the necessity to apply God’s Word diligently to our
lives.
Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise to David to raise
up an eternal heir to David’s Throne. Jesus taught the eternal
importance of
obedience to God’s Word. Jesus’ reference to “hearing the words of God”
(v.47)
implies obedience. God’s promises are conditional in regard to their
application to us individually. The
condition is obedience to God’s Word. Have we heard and believed in
God’s Word?
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)?
Regarding the conditional nature of God’s promises, I’ve heard that, in a public survey, eighty-seven percent of American people believe that God hears and has the power to answer prayer (but note that eighty-seven percent of the American People do not regularly read the Bible or attend church). I assert that there are conditions which must be met in order to expect one’s prayers to be answered:
John 15:7 – “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask what you will and it shall be done for you.” Notice the *If*. Note also that this was addressed to his *disciples*, in Jesus’ farewell discourse at the Last Supper.
The conditions:
-In Faith in God: Hebrews 11:6, Matthew 21:22
-In Jesus name: John 14:14
-In God’s will: 1 John 5:14-15
-In personal relationship with Jesus: John 15:7
Requirements for a personal relationship with Jesus:
-No unconfessed sin: Psalm 66:18; Proverbs 15:8, 29; 1 John 3:22
-No unbelief: James 1:6-7; Matthew 21:22
-Not neglecting the Word: Proverbs 28:9; John 15:7
Week of 16
Pentecost – Monday
2 Chronicles 6:32-7:7, Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication
James 2:1-13, Christian Impartiality
Mark 14:53-65 Jesus Before the High Priest
In the prayer of dedication of the temple, Solomon prayed that the Lord would hear the prayers of foreigners as well as God’s people, so that so that the whole world would come to know the power and faithfulness of the Lord.
Solomon prayed that the Lord would hear and answer the prayers of his people who might be unable to come to the temple because of military service. Since all are guilty of sin (disobedience of God’s Word), Solomon prayed that God would hear the prayers of the penitent sinners, if they acknowledge their sin and ask for forgiveness, even if they have become captives in a foreign land and unable to come to the temple. Solomon prayed that the Lord’s eyes and ears would be open to see and hear the needs of his people, that the priests would be clothed with salvation, and that the saints would rejoice in God’s goodness. “O Lord God, do not turn away the face of thy anointed one! Remember thy steadfast love for David thy servant” (2 Chronicles 6:42 RSV).
When Solomon had finished ended his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. The priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord filled the Lord’s house” (2 Chronicles 7:1-2). The people witnessed the fire from heaven and the glory of the Lord, and they bowed to the ground and worshiped the Lord, saying, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures for ever” (2 Chronicles 7:3 RSV).
Practically everyone in
The author of the Letter of James urges Christians not to show partiality toward any individual or group. For example the poor should be given the same welcome and treated with the same respect as the rich or powerful. It is often the poor and week, by worldly standards, who are rich and strong in faith, while it is often the rich and powerful who oppress Christians and oppose the Gospel.
We are commanded to love our neighbors just as we love ourselves, but if we love certain individuals or groups more than others we are guilty of violating the commandment. “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point becomes guilty of all of it” (James 2:10). Although not under the bondage of the Covenant of Law, we should live like those who are bound by the Law. We are freed and enabled to fulfill the Law in love rather than from fear. If we do not show mercy for others we cannot expect to receive it ourselves.
After his betrayal and arrest, Jesus was taken to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest. The members of the Sanhedrin (elders, chief priests and scribes) were assembled. Peter had followed Jesus into the courtyard, and was warming himself around a fire with the guards. The Sanhedrin was seeking a charge against Jesus which they could use to execute him. There were many false charges, but they couldn’t find any charge sustained by the testimony of two witnesses required by law. Some testified that Jesus had said that if the temple which had been built by human design and labor was destroyed, Jesus would rebuild it in three days supernaturally, without human aid. But even that charge could not be substantiated.
The high priest tried to get Jesus to respond to the charges, but Jesus said nothing. So the high priest asked Jesus if he was the Christ, the son of God. Jesus replied, “I AM (see Exodus 3:14), and you will seen the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:62). The high priest tore his robe and said that there was no need of corroborating witnesses since the council had heard Jesus blaspheme. The high priest called for a verdict and they condemned Jesus unanimously. Some began to spit on Jesus. They also covered Jesus’ head and then struck him and taunted him to prophesy (who had struck him). He was handed to the guards, who began to beat him.
It has been God’s intention from the beginning of
Creation
to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who trust and obey him.
This life
is our opportunity to seek and come to personal knowledge of and
fellowship with
the Lord (Acts 17:26-27). It was God’s intention that through
All
of us have sinned and fall short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23; 1
John
1:8-10). Jesus is God’s one and only plan for our salvation (Acts 4:12;
John
14:6; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right), and Jesus has
been
“built into” Creation from the very beginning (John 1:1-5, 14).
God shows no partiality; anyone, regardless of race, sex, gender, nationality, social or economic status, who does what is right in God’s judgment, according to his Word is acceptable to him (Acts 10:34-35). God hears the prayers of truly repentant sinners who are willing to change, to trust in the Lord and become obedient to God’s will.
Christians should show the same impartiality that God has. It is true that the poor and weak in worldly ways often are strong in faith and rich spiritually, and the rich and powerful often take advantage of the poor and weak, oppress Christians and resist the Gospel. We need to honestly examine our churches and congregations and consider whether we love all of our neighbors impartially and in the same way that we love ourselves and want other to love us.
The leaders of Judaism considered themselves special because of their genealogical connection with Abraham and their social and political power as leaders and authorities of Judaism. They thought they were entitled to sit in judgment of Jesus Christ. They thought themselves righteous and Jesus a blasphemer, because Jesus claimed to be the Christ (Messiah; the Lord’s “anointed;” Mark 14:62), the Savior. Their judgment against Jesus was the opposite, the antithesis, of impartiality and justice. They felt righteous in condemning, insulting and physically abusing Jesus.
The Church today is, in many instances, is in much the same condition as Judaism at the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Churches and Christians should examine ourselves and seriously consider whether we haven’t come to consider ourselves worthy of God’s special, preferential treatment because we have been born into the Church, or because we hold positions of responsibility within the Church, while having neglected to be and make disciples who trust and obey Jesus and live according to his Word and the guidance of his Holy Spirit.
In this day many in this world hate Jesus and want
to get
rid of him. When this world is looking for testimony against Jesus,
will we be
witnesses for or against him? Though we may claim to be Christian, will
our
testimony be in agreement with the Bible? When the council
asked
Jesus if he was the Christ, Jesus answered truthfully, but the council
ruled
the charge blasphemous with no consideration of the claim or
examination of its
basis in fact, and then used themselves as witnesses in order to
sustain the
charge.
By contrast, on the day of the Lord’s Judgment, we will all be
judged
impartially by the only righteous judge: Jesus Christ. All of the truth
will be
known, and for everyone there will be only one standard on which the
judgment
will be based. That standard will be whether we have believed in Jesus
and
obeyed him as our Lord.
Alternate
Entry
first posted
09/28/03
2 Chronicles 6:32-7:7 Consecrating the
James :1-13 Christian Impartiality
Mark 14:53-65 Jesus before Caiaphas
King Solomon concluded his prayer of dedication of
the
The author of the letter of James teaches that Christians are to be impartial as God is impartial; the command to love one’s neighbor includes all. Christians are not free to break the law. Those who do not show mercy cannot expect to receive mercy for themselves.
Jesus had been betrayed and arrested at
Peter told Cornelius, when God had led him to
convert the
first Gentile: “Truly, I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in
every
nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to
him” (Acts
10:34). Solomon’s prayer of dedication
included foreigners and sinners. The author of James, among other New
Testament
teachers, taught Christians to be impartial as God is impartial.
The
trial of
Jesus before the Jewish council was anything but impartial. The
religious
leaders “sought testimony against Jesus to put him to death;” (v.55) They had already decided to put him to death and
were trying
to find a reason to justify that decision. “…but they found none. For many bore false witness against him and their
witness did not
agree” (v. 56). Many were apparently willing to assert claims
that were
untrue, but their claims did not sustain the charge because they did
not agree,
and the law required at least two witnesses whose testimony agreed.
Even today
many in this world hate Jesus and want to get rid of him. When this
world is
looking for testimony against Jesus, will we be witnesses for or
against him?
Though we may claim to be Christian, will our testimony be in agreement
with
the Bible? When the council asked
Jesus
if he was the Christ, Jesus answered truthfully, but the council ruled
the
charge blasphemous with no consideration of the claim or examination of
its
basis in fact, and then used themselves as witnesses in order to
sustain the
charge.
By contrast, on the day of the Lord’s Judgment, we will all be
judged
impartially by the only righteous judge: Jesus. All the truth will be
known,
and for everyone there will be only one standard on which the judgment
will be
based. That standard will be whether we have believed in Jesus and
obeyed him
as our Lord.
Is Jesus your Lord? 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)?
Week of 16
Pentecost – Tuesday
first posted
09/05/05
1 Kings 8:65-9:9,
Solomon’s Prophetic Vision
James 2:14-26, Faith and Works
Mark 14:66-72 Peter’s Denial
The feast following the dedication lasted for
seven days.
The people had gathered from the northern border of
When King Solomon, the son of David, had finished
building
the temple, his palace and other buildings, “the Lord appeared to
Solomon a
second time, as he had appeared to him at Gibeon” (1 Kings 9:2; see 1
Kings 3:5).
The Lord told Solomon he had heard and answered Solomon’s prayer to
consecrate
the temple and put God’s name (his character and power), and his heart
and eyes
toward the temple forever. God promised Solomon, that if Solomon
trusted and
obeyed the Lord truly from Solomon’s heart, God would establish the
throne of
David over
But the Lord warned Solomon that if Solomon or the descendants of Israel turned from obedient trust in the Lord and worshiped and served idols, God vowed to “cut off Israel from the land which I have given them; and the house which I have consecrated for my name I will cast out of my sight; and Israel will become a proverb and a byword among all peoples. And this house shall be a heap of ruins; every one passing by will be astonished and will hiss; and they will say, ‘Why has the Lord done thus to this land and to this house?’ Then they will say, 'Because they forsook the Lord their God who brought their fathers out of the Land of Egypt and laid hold on other gods and worshiped them and served them; therefore the Lord has brought all this evil upon them’” (1 Kings 9:6-9).
The author of the Letter of James asks what benefit faith (which he would define as intellectual assent) has if it doesn’t lead to “works” (which he would define as action; not salvation by “keeping” the Law). One cannot be saved by “faith” unaccompanied by “action.” If a brother or sister lacks clothing and food, simply agreeing that they need clothing and food does not relieve their need. The author concludes that real “faith” does not exist apart from “action.”
Some may (falsely) claim to have faith without the
actions
which confirm and demonstrate faith, but our actions reveal what we
truly
believe regardless of what we say we believe. (I prefer to define faith
as
“obedient trust,” which I believe agrees with Paul’s definition). One
who
claims to believe that God is the only true God (or who “believes” in
Jesus
Christ), but who does not act in obedient trust is no more “righteous”
or
better off than demons, who all “believe” in God and in Jesus Christ,
but do
not obey them (James 2:19; Mark 5:7-8).
Faith without corresponding
action is
barren (it does not produce the fruit of salvation within the
“believer”).
Abraham trusted and obeyed God and it was demonstrated by his actions:
he
offered his son Isaac as a sacrifice as the Lord had commanded (Genesis
22:1-14; note that Abraham was obedient to the Lord by faith before the
Covenant of Law was given; Galatians 3:6-18). Abraham acted according
to his
faith, and his faith was completed by action. “Abraham believed God,
and it was
reckoned to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3-25).
Peter, one of the Twelve original disciples of
Jesus, had
followed, at a distance, the mob which had arrested Jesus in
Peter moved out to the gateway (forecourt) and again the maid noticed
him and
began to tell the others that Peter was one of the followers of Jesus,
but
again Peter denied it. A little while later, bystanders told Peter that
the he
must be a follower of Jesus since he was apparently a Galilean.
Peter
began to
invoke a curse upon himself, and made an oath declaring that he did not
know
Jesus of Nazareth, who they were speaking of. Immediately a cock crowed
a
second time. Peter remembered that Jesus had prophesied that Peter
would deny
Jesus three times before the cock had crowed twice that night, and
Peter broke
down and wept.
God’s Word contains both good news and bad news. It is good news containing great promises for those who trust and obey it, and bad news and condemnation for those who don’t. In the first appearance of the Lord to Solomon at Gibeon, when Solomon had asked for and received divine wisdom to rule God’s people, it was that visitation which caused Solomon to begin to restore worship of the Lord at Jerusalem before the ark of the covenant, and ultimately in the temple which he built (1 Kings 3:.2-4a, 15; worship on the “high places” was a pagan practice of the Canaanites which Israel had adopted).
At the second appearance of the Lord to Solomon,
the Lord’s
promise to David that David’s son would build the temple had been
fulfilled.
The Lord told David that if he and his descendants trusted and obeyed
the Lord
with all their hearts, that the Lord would fulfill the promise to David
of an
eternal dynasty of the throne of David. The promise applied to all the
people
of
The Lord warned that if the descendants of David
and of
Israel turned aside from obedient trust and began to worship and serve
other
gods, God vowed that he would remove the people from the Promised Land
which
God had given them, “and Israel will become a proverb and a byword (an
example;
a warning) among all people” (1 Kings 9:6-7). Also, the temple
will be
destroyed and become a heap of ruins. People will realize that the
disaster had
come upon
God’s Word is absolutely reliable and it is eternal. God’s Word is fulfilled over and over as the conditions for its fulfillment are met; having been once fulfilled doesn’t mean that it won’t be fulfilled again and again. God’s prophetic revelation to Solomon began to be fulfilled in the reign of Solomon.
Solomon started out well but finished badly. He
had a harem
of a thousand women, many of whom were foreign and worshipped idols.
Solomon
first tolerated their idolatry and then began to adopt idolatry
himself.
Solomon’s kingdom declined from the glory and greatness of Solomon’s
wisdom and
wealth, to the point where at Solomon’s death it was divided into two
kingdoms:
the northern kingdom of ten tribes, and the southern
The Northern Kingdom of Israel turned aside from
obedience
to the Lord and to idolatry. They failed to heed the warnings of the
prophets
to repent and return to obedience to the Lord, and in 721 B.C.
The example of the fate of the Northern Kingdom
should have
been a warning to the
The Second Temple had stood for five hundred years
and was
deteriorating condition when Herod the Great (the King who tried to
destroy the
Messiah, Jesus, as an infant.; Matthew 2:7-18), wanting to gain favor
with the
Jews, began building a new temple (Herod’s Temple) It was not yet
completed at
the time of Jesus. The Jews had not learned or remembered the lessons
of the
Babylonian exile, and as a result, they were not prepared for the
coming of
Jesus Christ.
Instead of worshiping and serving Jesus they worshiped
the idols
of self, wealth, power, social status and public acclaim. Because they
did not
receive Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Son of David,
the Lord’s anointed eternal king and heir to
the throne of David, God’s Word of warning to Solomon (1 Kings 9:6-9)
was
fulfilled again. The temple, only completed in 65 A.D., was destroyed
in 70
A.D. by the Romans. The Jewish people were scattered throughout the
world, and
The history of God’s relationship with
In many instances
Peter was sure he was ready to follow Jesus anywhere, and even die with Jesus; he didn’t believe Jesus’ prophecy that Peter would deny Jesus. (Mark 14:29-31). He didn’t heed Jesus’ warning to pray to not enter temptation (Mark 14:37-38). Jesus’ words are absolutely true and reliable; what Jesus’ says will be fulfilled.
Is Jesus your Lord? 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)?
Alternate
Entry
first posted
09/29/03
1 Kings 8.65-9:9 The Lord Visits Solomon
James 2:14-26 Faith and Works
Mark 14:66-72 Peter’s Denial
The Dedication of the
The author of the Letter of James makes the point that we act according to our beliefs. We cannot believe one way, and act another; the way we act reveals what we believe. Believing that Jesus is the Son of God, the Christ (the Lord’s Anointed One) is not enough, unless one is obedient to Jesus as Lord, knowing what he commands and doing it. Demons believe and know that Jesus is the Christ (see Mark 5:1-8, for example) but they don’t do what Jesus taught. The author cites Abraham’s faith to show that it is in acting on our faith that we are accounted as righteous.
Jesus had been betrayed and arrested in
The Lord’s promises are conditional, depending on
our
obedience to his Word (see journal entry for Sunday, September 28,
2003). The
Lord’s promise to David, and renewed to Solomon was based on the
condition of
obedience. The author of the Letter of James teaches that it’s not
enough to
believe in Jesus, if we don’t apply Jesus’ teaching in our lives. Jesus
knew
that Peter would deny him. Peter was feeling bold when he was with
Jesus (See
Mark 14:31), but when Jesus had been arrested and it was quite
dangerous to be
associated with him, it was a different story.
When Jesus told Peter he
would
deny him, Peter couldn’t imagine doing that. Later, when he realized
that it
had happened, he was smitten with remorse. In Peter’s defense, he did
believe
in Jesus and he meant well, but he had
not yet experienced the Resurrection (Luke 24:34; 1Corinthians 15:5
Simon
Peter, also known as Cephas), and he had
not been
filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts Ch 2) – he was not yet a “born-again
Christian” (1 Peter 1:3; John 3:3,) Jesus specifically forgave and
re-entrusted
Peter with his apostolic ministry by giving him three opportunities to
affirm
his love for Jesus, one for each previous denial (John 21:15-19).
Peter
subsequently was a leader among the disciples in
“According to tradition Peter was martyred under
Nero at
Have we experienced the Risen Lord? Have we truly
been “born
again”? Have we *experienced* the indwelling Holy Spirit? [The presence
of the
Holy Spirit is something one can experience; we can know if we are
filled with
the Holy Spirit. It isn’t just a matter of just believing (like
wishing) hard
enough, with no way of knowing for sure until we get to heaven. Not at
all; it
is a real, experiential, personal relationship with the living Spirit
of Jesus
(see Acts 19:2; the point of the reference is that one can be expected
to know
if one has experienced the Holy Spirit).]
The Lord gives the gift of the Holy Spirit only to those who are
willing
to walk in it [i.e. follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit
(Isaiah42:5)]. Only
by the Holy Spirit are we able to act on our faith in Jesus and do what
he
commands.
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)?
Week of 16
Pentecost – Wednesday
first posted
09/206/05
1 Kings 9:24-10:13,
The Queen of
James 3:1-12, The Tongue
Mark 15:1-11 Jesus Before Pilate
King Solomon had married Pharaoh’s daughter (1
Kings 3:1)
and built a house for her. Then he built the Millo (believed to be an
area
south of the temple that was built up with rubble behind a retaining
wall.)
Solomon had priestly duties, and conducted sacrifices three times a
year.
Solomon had a fleet of ships in Ezion-geber in the
The Queen of Sheba (probably in southwestern
Arabia; modern
She told Solomon that all she had heard about
Solomon’s
wisdom and wealth were not only true but understated. The Queen was
sure that
Solomon’s wives must be very happy, and his servants must be happy to
be able
to hear Solomon’s great wisdom. She blessed (praised) the Lord God of
The fleet of vessels commanded by Hiram’s men,
which had
brought gold from Ophir, also brought back almug wood (sandalwood) and
precious
stones. The almug wood was used in the temple, the palace and for
musical
instruments. The wealth of
The author of the Letter of James says that those who are leaders and teachers in the Church will be judged with greater strictness. In our human nature we all make many mistakes, but we should grow in self-discipline of our bodies. As horses are guided by a bit in their mouths and ships are guided by a rudder small in comparison to the size of the vessel, so we also should keep our tongues under self-control. Great forests can be destroyed by what begins as a small flame. Likewise, great disaster can be caused by a few intemperate words.
The tongue is like a flame, and is an unruly member within our bodies which contaminates our whole body; it is kindled by hell and can destroy our entire lives. All animals can be tamed and taught to obey humans, but the tongue is a beast that resists our control; “it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:8b). The same tongue is used to bless and to curse. We should not allow that to happen. A spring produces either fresh or foul water, and we expect a fruit tree to bear fruit according to its nature; figs from a fig; olives from an olive; grapes from a grapevine.
Jesus had been arrested and detained at the house
of
Caiaphas, the high priest. When morning came, the Jewish council
(Sanhedrin)
met and decided to deliver him to the Pontius Pilate, the Roman
administrator
of
It was the Feast of Unleavened Bread, (the
seven-day spring
harvest festival, beginning with the Passover meal commemorating the
exodus
from Egypt; on this occasion it became the Lord’s Last Supper). Pilate
had made
a practice of pardoning a Jewish prisoner during the feast. Among those
in
prison was a notorious criminal named Barabbas, who had committed
murder during
a Jewish insurrection.
Pilate suspected
that the Jewish religious leaders had wanted Jesus executed because
they were
jealous (of Jesus’ popularity and influence). A crowd had gathered, and
Pilate
asked them if they wanted the King of the Jews released according to
Pilate’s
custom, but the religious leaders stirred up the crowd to ask for
Barabbas instead.
Pilate asked the crowd what he should do with Jesus and they told
Pilate to
crucify him. Pilate asked what evil Jesus had done to deserve
crucifixion, but
they just kept demanding Jesus’ crucifixion. So Pilate ordered the
release of
Barabbas and had Jesus scourged and crucified.
The Queen of Sheba had heard of Solomon’s wisdom and wealth and had come to test him and see for herself. She found that Solomon’s reputation was true and that Solomon’s wisdom and riches were even greater than she had heard.
Solomon is the Son of David, the Lord’s anointed
king and he
is the forerunner and illustration of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The
Queen of
Sheba symbolizes the worldly leaders who come to see and acknowledge
Jesus as
the King of Kings. The Queen of Sheba acknowledged that the Lord God of
The author of the letter of James warns us that
our tongues
can bless us or condemn us, depending on how we use them. Each one of
us will
be accountable for what we have said and done with the Gospel of Jesus
Christ.
We have all heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ; of his wisdom and
spiritual
riches to those who come to him and accept him as their Lord. We are
invited to
come to him and to see if his reputation is true and accurate. If we
recognize
that the Lord God of
Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise to send
the King
of the Jews, the Savior (so save us from eternal destruction), God’s
anointed
eternal
heir to the throne of David, the righteous and just ruler of God’s
people. The
Jewish religious leaders accused Jesus of claiming to be the King of
the Jews,
but Jesus never made that claim, although its truth should be obvious.
Jesus
referred
to himself as the Son of man, which is true and which also hints that
he is
God’s Messiah (see Daniel 7:13),
but which
allows his hearers to come to their own conclusion. Jesus answered
truthfully
that it was not he, but the Jews and Pilate who had called Jesus the
King of
the Jews. Pilate found Jesus not guilty of any crime deserving
execution, but
he gave in to the will of the Jewish people, who were stirred up by
their
spiritual leaders. Pilate asked the Jews what he should do with Jesus
and they
demanded his crucifixion.
The Jewish religious leaders led their people
astray. They
received the consequences of their rejection of Jesus.
Who do you say that Jesus is (Matthew 16:13-16)?
*The Oxford Annotated Bible, Revised Standard Version, Ed. by Herbert G. May and Bruce M. Metzger, 1 Kings 9:10-14n, p. 430, New York, Oxford University Press, 1962.
Alternate Entry
first posted
09/29/03
1 Kings 9:24-10:13 Queen of
James 3:1-12 The Unbridled Tongue
Mark 15:1-11 Jesus before Pilate
After the dedication of the
Solomon also built a
fleet of
ships and operated them in partnership with King Hiram of
James offers a warning that those who undertake the role of teacher will be held accountable to stricter standards. One’s tongue offers great potential for trouble. A careless word can do great damage, and it is one of the most difficult problems to control.
Jesus had been betrayed and arrested in
It was Pilate’s practice to release one of the
Jewish
prisoners during the feast of Passover, and he asked the crowd if they
wanted
him to release Jesus to them, but the Jewish leaders stirred up the
crowd to
ask for Barabbas, a notorious murderer and
insurrectionist instead. Pilate asked them what he should do with Jesus
and the
crowd cried out “Crucify him.” Pilate asked, “'Why, what evil has he
done?’ but
the crowd shouted all the more, 'Crucify him.' So Pilate released Barabbas, and delivered up Jesus to be
crucified.'" (v.14-15)
The Queen of Sheba came to visit Solomon to test
him to see
if his wisdom matched his reputation. She had prepared some difficult
questions, but she was unable to trip him up because Solomon’s wisdom
was
God-given, which she acknowledged(1 Kings
10:9). Jesus
has promised that before the end of the age, his disciples will be
delivered up
“…to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings
and
governors for my namesake. This will be a time for you to bear
testimony.
Settle it therefore in your minds, not to meditate beforehand how to
answer,
for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which none of your adversaries
will be
able to withstand or contradict” (Luke
21:21b-15; compare Matthew 10:17-20, Mark 13:11).
This promise was made
to his
disciples. The fulfillment of this promise was demonstrated by the
testimony of
Paul before the Jewish council in
The Jews, God’s “chosen” people,
cried
out demanding Jesus’ Crucifixion, [and they said, “His blood (i.e.
guilt for
crucifying him) be on us and on our
children” (Matthew
27:25)]. Ironically only Jesus blood can cleanse us from guilt, if we
believe
in him and accept him as our Lord. We need to be careful how we use our
tongues. Are we using our tongues to Glorify God or dishonor God? Do we
think
we can be Christians without being disciples? Is our talk consistent
with our
walk, and our walk consistent with our talk? Do we have a personal
relationship
with Jesus? (See journal entry for Tuesday,
Sept.30, 2003.) Are we willing to
make our mouths available
to be used by the 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 19:2)? 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)?
* Oxford Annotated Bible, RSV, Ed. by Herbert G.
May and
Bruce M. Metzger, 1 Kings 9.15-22 note, Pg 430,
Week of 16
Pentecost – Thursday
posted 09/07/05
1 Kings 11:1-13,
Solomon’s Downfall
James 3:13-4:12, Godliness versus Worldliness
Mark 15:12-21 Jesus Crucified.
King Solomon, David’s son, loved many foreign
women. In
addition to the daughter of Pharaoh, he married Moabite, Ammonite,
Sidonian and
Hittite women, which the Lord had expressly forbidden (Deuteronomy
7:1-4)
because they would turn the heart of the Israelites from the Lord to
idols.
Solomon had a thousand wives and concubines, and they turned Solomon’s
heart
from obedient trust in the Lord God to the worship of idols. So Solomon
worshiped Ashtoreth, the Sidonian goddess, and Milcom the abomination
of the
Ammonites.
Solomon did what was evil in God’s sight and did not follow
the Lord
with his whole heart as David had done.
Solomon built an altar to Chemosh, the idol of
The Lord was angry with Solomon because Solomon had violated a direct commandment of the Lord, with whom he had had personal fellowship, so the Lord declared that the kingdom would be ripped from Solomon. But the Lord was merciful to Solomon by granting that the kingdom would be torn from Solomon’s heir, rather than himself, and that Solomon’s son would be king of one tribe for the sake of David the servant of the Lord.
Those who are truly wise and understanding will be revealed by their good life and good deeds; their wisdom will be demonstrated by humility. Jealousy and ambition are not admirable or in accordance with the Gospel truth. That kind of wisdom is worldly rather than divine; it is unspiritual and devilish. Jealousy and selfish ambition produce disorder and evil, but divine wisdom produces pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, merciful, good fruit without uncertainty or insincerity. Righteousness is reaped by those who sow peace.
Wars and fighting are caused by lusts at war in our bodies of flesh. The lust to have causes murder. Covetousness leads to war. Our lack is because we have not asked, and we have not received because we do not ask rightly but selfishly to indulge ourselves.
Those who love this world are hostile toward God. God has given his spirit to govern us and he is jealous when we allow other spirits to dominate us.
The proud will be opposed by God, but the humble will receive grace (unmerited favor; a free gift). We must learn to submit to God’s will and resist the temptations of Satan. If we desire closeness with God we must draw near to him. We must cleanse our hearts and hands. If we desire reconciliation with God we must recognize our failings and mourn our sinfulness. Let us not rejoice in our sinfulness but humble ourselves and he will restore and exalt us.
Pilate asked the Jews what they wanted him to do
with Jesus
and they demanded Jesus’ crucifixion. Pilate asked them what Jesus had
done to
deserve crucifixion and they kept on demanding, without justification.
Pilate
gave in to their demand. Barabbas, the murderer, was pardoned, and
Jesus was
condemned to be crucified.
A large number of Roman soldiers took Jesus
within
the Palace of the Roman governor, and began to mock and abuse him. They
made a
crown of thorns and placed it on Jesus’ head, and they put a purple
cloak on
him (purple was reserved for royalty). They ridiculed him as the King
of the
Jews, and knelt down in homage before him. They struck his head with a
reed and
spat on him.
When they were finished mocking him they put his own
clothes back
on him and led him away to be crucified. Simon of Cyrene, the father of
Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his return from the country, and
the
Romans compelled him to carry Jesus’ cross.
Solomon had been blessed. He had been made King of Israel; he had been given great divine wisdom, wealth and honor. He had a thousand wives and concubines. But Solomon forgot who had given him all these blessings. He disobeyed God’s command to not marry the women of the idolatrous natives of the land (Deuteronomy 7:1-4). By his disobedience Solomon lost the blessings God had promised. His life failed to produce the “fruit” of wisdom. Solomon ended up trading his God-given wisdom for worldliness.
True wisdom and understanding will be revealed by good lives, good deeds and humility. Jealousy, ambition, and human arrogance produce disorder and evil. Sin (disobedience of God's Word) is the result of the lusts of our human flesh. God is the giver of every good thing. Our lack of blessings indicates our lack of obedient trust in the Lord. Godliness and worldliness cannot exist together in one person, because one who has a friendship with this world makes God his enemy (and the friend of God is hated by the world). Therefore the author urges his hearers to resist the devil and submit themselves to God.
The Jews’ rejection of Jesus was the result of their jealousy and personal ambition (Mark 15: 10). They demanded Jesus’ crucifixion without consideration of justice or reason. The Jews traded the promised Messiah, the Savior of the world, for a murderer and insurrectionist. Instead of upholding justice, Pilate gave in to popular demand.
Is Jesus your Lord? 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)?
Alternate
Entry
first posted
10/01/03
1 Kings 11:1-13 Solomon’s Apostasy
James 3:13-4:12 True Wisdom
Mark 15:12-21 Jesus Ordered Crucified
King Solomon had many foreign women as wives,
something
which God had forbidden (Deuteronomy 7:1-4). In his older years his
wives
turned his heart away from God to worship their idols, “and his heart
was not
wholly true to the Lord, as was the heart of David his father.” (v.4)
Solomon
built altars on the high places for the gods of the Moabites and the
Ammonites
and other idols for his wives.
The Lord was angry at Solomon, and had
appeared
twice to him and commanded Solomon not to go after other gods, and yet
Solomon
did not obey God’s commands. So God told Solomon that the Kingdom would
be torn
from him not in Solomon’s days, but in his son’s day. Yet the Lord
promised to
allow Solomon’s son (Rehoboam) to reign
over one tribe (Judah), for the “sake of David my servant and for the
sake of
The author of the Letter of James taught that true wisdom is a gift from God and reveals itself in righteousness and godliness. There is another, false wisdom, which is worldly wisdom. The worldliness which those who are of the world regard as wisdom is “earthly, unspiritual, devilish” (James 3:15), stirring up jealousy and selfish ambition, but that true wisdom, which is from above, is “pure, …peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity” (James 3:17) Where true wisdom is peaceable, worldliness is the cause of war and strife. Godliness and worldliness cannot exist together in one person, because one who has a friendship with this world makes God his enemy (and the friend of God is hated by the world). Therefore the author urges his hearers to resist the devil and submit themselves to God.
Jesus had been brought before Pilate (the Roman administrator) by the Jewish religious leaders for execution. Pilate examined him and found no evidence to support a death sentence, so he had offered to release Jesus, since it was his custom to release a prisoner as a gesture of good will on the Jewish celebration of Passover. The crowd, stirred up by the religious leaders, demanded Jesus be crucified (and had asked that Pilate release for them Barabbas, a notorious murderer and insurrectionist, instead). “So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged (whipped) Jesus he delivered him to be crucified” (Mark 15:15). The soldiers led Jesus away, and abused him, mocking him as “King of the Jews” before leading him out to be crucified.
Solomon had started out well, pleasing and serving the Lord. But he got into trouble, starting when he disregarded the Lord’s command not to marry women of foreign religion. God knew that marrying spouses who worshiped other gods would lead God’s people to compromise and turn away from the one true God. That’s just what happened to Solomon. The Lord confronted Solomon twice and commanded him to stop, but Solomon did not obey. Solomon ended up trading his God-given wisdom for worldliness.
The Letter of James
emphasizes
that one cannot please both God and the world. Jesus said “No one can
serve two
masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will
be
devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and
mammon”
[usually defined as “wealth”; i.e. the things of this world; whatever
we desire
and long for of this world. (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13)]
Solomon wound
up
listening to his wives instead of his God, and as a result, the kingdom
was
divided and his son reigned only a short
time over a
greatly diminished kingdom. Pilate “perceived that it was out of envy
that the
chief priests had delivered him (Jesus) up” (Mark 15:10). The religious
leaders were
serving their worldly passions, instead of their God. The People of
Israel gave
up the promised Messiah, God’s Anointed King, the Son of David, the
heir to the
Throne of Israel, in exchange for a murderer and insurrectionist.
James
warns
us not to make the same mistake: “Submit yourselves
therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near
to God
and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and
purify your
hearts, you men (people) of double minds” (James 4:7-9). The things of
this
world
which seem so desirable will soon turn to ruin. We must be careful not
to be
seduced by the attitudes and desires of the world in which we live. We
must
choose wisely, not exchanging eternal life with Jesus in Heaven for
momentary
worldly pleasures which cannot satisfy. We must turn to Jesus in
repentance and
trust in him.
Week of 16
Pentecost – Friday
first posted 09/08/05
1 Kings 11:26-43,
Solomon’s Adversaries
James 4:13-5:6, Worldly Pride and Riches
Mark 15:22-32 Jesus Crucified
Jeroboam, of the tribe of Ephraim, conspired
against King Solomon,
the son of David. Solomon had used forced labor to build the Millo, an
infilling of rubble behind a retaining wall, probably sealing the
central
(Tyropoeon) valley and the northern wall of the “City (Citadel) of
David” in
Jeroboam traveled outside
The kingdom would be removed from Solomon’s descendants because Solomon
had
forsaken the Lord and had worshiped foreign idols. Solomon had not
obeyed God’s
commandments. Abijah declared that the Lord had chosen Jeroboam to
reign over
the ten tribes of the
Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam, but Jeroboam
escaped into
It is human arrogance to make plans for the future, when we cannot know what tomorrow will bring. We can make plans, but we can fulfill them only by God’s will. Instead of boasting about what we intend to accomplish, we would do better to acknowledge, seek, and be guided by God’s will. “Whoever knows what is right to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” (James 4:17).
Those who are rich in worldly, material
possessions are
warned that miseries and mourning are coming upon them. Their riches
will rot,
their fine clothes will be moth-eaten, their gold and silver will turn
to rust,
and their rust will testify against them. Their flesh will be consumed
by fire;
they have stored up fire (punishment; James 5:3b RSV note “e”) for the
last
days.
The rich have become rich at the expense of their servants. The
cries of
the poor have been heard by the Lord. Those who have lived in luxury
and
pleasure on earth have fattened themselves for slaughter. Those who are
rich
and powerful in this world have condemned and killed those who are
righteous,
because the righteous put up no resistance.
Jesus was taken by Roman soldiers to the place of
crucifixion, called
Bystanders taunted him saying that Jesus had claimed that he would
destroy the
temple and
rebuild it in three days, and challenged him to save himself and come
down from
the cross. The priests and scribes (teachers of scripture), also
taunted Jesus,
saying that Jesus was better at saving others than in saving himself.
“Let the
Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may
see and
believe” (Mark 15: 32a). The criminals crucified with Jesus also spoke
abusively against him (one did; the other rebuked the first criminal,
according
to Luke 23:39-43).
David was the forerunner and illustration of the
Messiah,
God’s anointed eternal king (Messiah and Christ both mean “anointed” in
Hebrew
and Greek, respectively). David was obedient to the Lord (a man after
God's own
heart, who would do all God’s will; Acts 13:22; compare Psalm 89:20).
Solomon
was the Son of David, the Lord’s anointed king, but he turned away from
obedient trust in the Lord and served and worshiped idols, so the Lord
tore the
kingdom from him. Solomon had become a “worldly” ruler. God had given
him divine
wisdom, wealth and honor, but he hadn’t used them for the Lord. His
son,
Rehoboam, became king of
Solomon intended to pass on the
Herod the Great wanted to eliminate Jesus as an infant, because Jesus was his rival as King of Israel, but Herod wasn’t any more successful than Solomon had been, because his plan was contrary to God’s will (Matthew 2:1-23).
We can make our own plans, but ultimately God’s
purpose will
be accomplished, whether we cooperate with his will or not. If we
oppose God’s
plan, the gift of his eternal kingdom, his divine wisdom and spiritual
riches
will be torn from us. We may have worldly wealth, wisdom, power and
pleasure,
but that is all, and for this lifetime only. We will die, and then we
will
face the
Lord’s Judgment (not “nothingness;” not “reincarnation; Hebrews 9:27;
John
5:28-29).
Mourning and misery for all
eternity will be the fate of those who have not been “born-again” (John
3:3, 5-8) by
the gift
of the Holy Spirit through obedient trust in Jesus Christ (John
14:15-17). Jesus is
God’s only
plan for our salvation from eternal death, eternal misery and mourning
(Acts
4:12; John 14:6; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).
The rich and powerful in this world have always
killed the
righteous (beginning with Cain and Able; Genesis 4:1-12) because the
righteous
offer no resistance. Jesus’ crucifixion is the ultimate demonstration
of that
truth. The Jewish leaders wanted to destroy Jesus for the same reason
Solomon
and Herod wanted to destroy their rivals.
Jesus never claimed to be the
King of
the Jews (or the Son of God). He referred to himself as the Son of man,
which
is true and which also hints that he is the Messiah (Daniel
7:13), while allowing each of us to decide for ourselves who
Jesus is.
Jesus is the Messiah, the Lord’s anointed eternal King, but the Jewish
religious authorities refused to believe it.
Jesus has been God’s plan for this Creation from the very beginning, and has been “built into” the very structure of Creation (John 1:1-5, 14). The meaning and purpose of this life is to seek and come to a personal relationship with the Lord (Acts 17:26-27). God’s plan has always been to create an eternal kingdom of his people who trust and obey him. This life is our opportunity to choose for ourselves where we will spend eternity.
Jesus had to die on the cross to fulfill God’s plan. It isn’t that Jesus couldn’t come down from the cross; he chose to trust and obey God the Father’s plan. His sacrifice on the cross made our forgiveness and salvation possible. His death and resurrection demonstrated the truth of life beyond physical death. His death and resurrection also made it possible for each of us who trust and obey Jesus to be filled with the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit (John 16:7)
Is Jesus your Lord? 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)?
Alternate Entry
first posted
10/02/03
1 Kings 11:26-43 Prophesy of Jeroboam’s Reign
James 4:13-5:6 Woe to the Rich
Mark 15:22-32 The Crucifixion
Jeroboam, an Ephriamite,
became a
rebel against King David over the building of the Millo
(which is usually interpreted as an earthwork, south of the
Abijah took hold of a new garment he was
wearing, and
tore it into 12 pieces (symbolizing the twelve tribes of
The writer of the Letter of James reminds us that we conduct our affairs at God’s forbearance. We should acknowledge that our achievements are subject to his toleration. The rich are warned that though they have pursued earthly treasure and pleasure, those things will quickly pass away. The eternal consequences of that pursuit of worldly treasure will be eternal misery and condemnation.
Jesus was taken to
The Lord had blessed King Solomon with great
wisdom and also
with great material wealth and renown. But with all that, Solomon was
unwilling
to be obedient to the Lord and he allowed his heart to stray from love
for God.
He seemed to have everything, but ultimately he died and had to leave
all that
behind. Consider the forty years he reigned as King of Israel with the
nearly
three thousand years that have passed since then, which are just the
beginning
of Solomon’s eternity.
The Letter of James warns that all this world’s
treasures
and pleasures will fade away in a short time. There will be an
accounting
before the Lord and those who have placed their faith in worldly things
will
receive eternal condemnation. Jesus said: “Do not lay up for yourselves
treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves
break in and
steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures
in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do no break in
and
steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”
(Matthew
6:19-21).
As Jesus was dying on the cross, his executioners were
dividing up
Jesus’ worldly treasure among themselves, casting lots (like tossing
dice) to
see who got the choice stuff; and it wasn’t much – just what he was
wearing!
Picture Jesus, the treasure which can give us eternal life and satisfy
our
every need for all eternity, being rejected on the cross, while men
haggled for
the few pieces of his clothing!
Two
robbers were suffering the same fate at the same place and time, one on
either
side. Their crime was that they had wanted material treasure that
belonged to
someone else who wasn’t dead yet, and they had taken it! Jesus was
dying on the
cross at that moment so that sinners, like the thieves on either side,
might be
forgiven in the Final Judgment before the Lord, which everyone must face .
In Luke’s account of the crucifixion, one
of the
thieves repented and called on Jesus to remember him when he came into
his
Kingdom, and Jesus promised him that the repentant thief would be with
Jesus in
heaven (Luke 23:39-43). One thief clung to his earthly treasure and got
eternal
death; the other thief reached out for Jesus, and gained eternal life!
The
observers taunted him to come down from the cross, but Jesus had
accepted his
death on the cross in order to accomplish our salvation. Jesus knew
that he was
going to have to be crucified, and he tried to prepare his disciples
for this,
telling them three times (Mk 8:31; 9:31; 10:32-32). He had to die on
the cross
as a sacrifice once for all for our sin, in order to rise again
victorious over
death. He couldn’t accomplish his mission by coming down from the
cross, but he
went his hecklers one better by coming up from the grave!
Where is our treasure? The Final Judgment is
coming! Hoping
for a death-bed conversion is folly, because the Lord has promised that
he’s
coming, like a thief in the night, at an hour we don’t expect (Matthew
24:42-44).
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)?
Week of 16
Pentecost – Saturday
1 Kings 12:1-20, Divided Kingdom
James 5:7-20, Effective Prayer
Mark 15:33-39 Torn Curtain
All the people of
Rehoboam sought counsel from his advisors. The
older
advisors who had been Solomon’s advisors told Rehoboam that if he
served the
people at that time by granting their request and speaking kindly to
them,
When Israel returned on the third day to hear Rehoboam’s decision, Rehoboam followed the council of his young advisors, rather than listening to and serving the people as his older advisors had recommended, thus fulfilling the prophecy of the Lord by Ahijah to Jeroboam.
When the people of
King Rehoboam sent Adoram, the taskmaster of the
forced
labor, to conscript laborers from the ten tribes, and they stoned him
to death,
so Rehoboam was forced to flee to
Christians are encouraged to patiently await the
“Second
Coming” of the Lord, like a gardener waits patiently for the harvest.
Our
hearts must be focused on Jesus’ return, (rather than allowing them to
be drawn
away to the things of this world). We must not complain but instead
forgive one
another, if we don’t want to come under judgment ourselves.
Jesus is
coming to
judge the earth (Matthew 25:31-46), and his coming is imminent. We’re
encouraged to follow the example of the prophets of the Lord who
endured
suffering with patience. Those who are steadfast will be the ones who
have true
happiness. Job is an example of faith and patient endurance. Christians
have
experienced the goodness of the Lord’s purpose and his mercy and
compassion
toward us.
Christians should avoid swearing by anything in
earth or
heaven, so as not to come under condemnation. In suffering, let us
pray; in
joy, let us sing praise; in sickness, let us call for the church elders
to
anoint us with oil in the name of the Lord and to pray for us. “The
prayer of
faith will save the sick…and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has
committed sins, he will be forgiven” (James 5:15; see Conditions for
Answered Prayer, sidebar, top right).
We should confess
our sins
and pray for one another, so that we can be healed. “The prayer of a
righteous
[person] has great power in its effect” (James 5:16; see Conditions for
Answered Prayer, sidebar, top right). Elijah, the prophet, is an
example of the
power of the prayer of faith by a righteous person (1 Kings 17:1,
18:1).
It is the responsibility of Christians to restore those who have strayed from the truth (God’s Word). Those who restore sinners to obedient trust in the Lord be rewarded with eternal life and complete forgiveness.
Jesus had been crucified at around nine a.m. From
around
noon to about three p.m. there was darkness over the land. At three
p.m.
Jesus
cried out, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabach-thani? which means, “My God, my
God, why
hast thou forsaken me?’” (He was quoting and fulfilling the prophecy of
Psalm
22 at that moment.) Some of the bystanders thought he was calling
Elijah, and
one of them gave Jesus a sponge full of soured wine extended to him on
a reed,
attempting to prolong his life to see whether Elijah would come and
save him.
Jesus made a loud cry and stopped breathing. “And the curtain of the
temple
(separating the congregation from God’s presence in the holy-of-holies)
was
torn in two, from top to bottom.” (Mark 15:38). The Centurion who stood
facing
Jesus saw that Jesus had stopped breathing, and declared, “Truly this
man was
the Son of God” (Mark 15:39).
Rehoboam had assumed the throne of David but it
was not
God’s will for him to rule God’s people. God had allowed him to reign
over
Jesus is the complete opposite of Rehoboam. Jesus is the Lord’s anointed eternal king. Jesus is the wisdom and Word of God in human flesh (1 Corinthians 1:24; John 1:1-5, 14). He is completely obedient to God’s will. Jesus came the first time to serve us; to die for our sins (Mark 10:45); to demonstrate the goodness of God’s will and purpose; to demonstrate the truth of life beyond physical death. When we see his love and goodness toward us, we will be glad to serve him forever in love.
In a sense we are all like Rehoboam. Jesus is the anointed eternal king, but we are allowed to reign over our corner of the world because of God’s mercy for us, and because of his love and faithfulness to Jesus. We can follow Jesus’ example and serve and care for our neighbors and brethren, or we can follow Rehoboam’s path; we can follow worldly wisdom and deal selfishly and ruthlessly with others. Rehoboam’s kingdom isn’t eternal; Jesus’ kingdom is.
Christians are to carry on Jesus’ ministry. We’re to care about those who are slaves to sin, and offer them the release from the “yoke” of sin which is only possible through obedient trust in Jesus Christ. We’re to care about our brethren who stray from the Gospel truth; from discipleship and obedient trust in Jesus. We must be forgiving rather than condemning. We’re to pray for and care for the suffering and for the physically and spiritually sick. We must examine ourselves and be willing to repent and amend our shortcomings.
Some of the witnesses of Jesus’ crucifixion
offered him sour
wine, not from care for Jesus, but to indulge their own skepticism. The
Roman
Centurion saw the crucifixion and realized and acknowledged that Jesus
was the
Son of God.
The curtain of the temple was torn in two at the moment of
Jesus’
death. Believers see that as a supernatural sign that Jesus’ death
opened the
way into personal fellowship with the Lord through the gift of his
indwelling
Holy Spirit.
Only Jesus gives the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:32-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). “Born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) Christian disciples personally experience the goodness of God’s will and purpose, and his love and mercy toward us. We testify of him and offer his forgiveness and salvation from eternal condemnation and death to our neighbors, through obedient trust in Jesus. Jesus is God’s only provision for our forgiveness and salvation (Acts 4:12; 14:6; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right)
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)?
Alternate
Entry
first posted
10/03/03
1 Kings 12:1-20 Kingdom Divided
James 5:7-20 Encouragement to Steadfastness
Mark 15:33-39 Jesus Death on the Cross
After the death of King David, his son Rehoboam
went to Shechem to be made King. Jeroboam,
an Ephramite who had been the
administrator of forced labor
for the great building projects undertaken by King David, had rebelled
against
David and had fled to
Rehoboam consulted the old men who
had been
his father’s advisors and they counseled lenience. Then Rehoboam
consulted his contemporaries who were his own administration’s
advisors, and
they counseled increased severity. Rehoboam
chose to
follow the advice of his young advisors and adopt a more severe policy.
When he
gave his reply to Jeroboam and the assembled Israelites, Jeroboam and
the other
tribes of
The writer of the Letter of James counsels his hearers to patiently await the return of the Lord, as the farmer waits for the harvest, following the example of the prophets, who were examples of patience and steadfast endurance of suffering for the sake of the Lord.
As Jesus hung from the cross, the sun was darkened from noon until 3:00 PM, and then Jesus cried out “Eloi, Eloi lama sabachthani”, (or “Eli, Eli…” which means “My God, My God…” in Greek and, respectively, Aramaic, -- the language spoken by Jesus), quoting Psalm 22:1. Some bystanders thought he was calling Elijah, and one ran and to give Jesus a drink of vinegar (wine that had turned bad; i.e. sour; the alcohol had turned to vinegar) to give Jesus the endurance to last a little longer, saying “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down” (v.36). Jesus breathed his last. At that moment the curtain of the temple, which separated the Holy of Holies, (the inner area where the Ark of the Covenant was kept, which only the high priest could enter only once a year), was torn in two. The Centurion who was on guard declared: “Truly this man was the Son of God.”
King David’s policy of forced labor to accomplish
the
building of the
The author of
James
urges his hearers to not to grow impatient, not to be distracted, or
led in
some conflicting direction, as they wait for the promise of Jesus to
return.
Jesus didn’t deviate from the path he knew would lead him to the cross
.
At Jesus’
lowest
point, just before his death, he cried out, quoting Psalm 22,
fulfilling in
that moment that Psalm’s prophetic vision. Spectators didn’t understand
what he
was saying, but thought he was calling for Elijah to rescue him. One of
the
spectators tried to keep Jesus alive (and suffering), “enduring” a
little longer
so he could see whether Elijah would come, totally unconcerned with
Jesus’
welfare. If Elijah had come, the spectator would perhaps have had a
momentary
thrill, some bit of “news” to share with his friends, but it wouldn’t
have
saved his soul.
Salvation isn’t in Elijah’s name (or even “Jehovah”),
but only
in Jesus’ name: “Let it be known to you all, and to all the people of
Israel,
that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom
God
raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you well…And
there is
salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given
among
men by which we must be saved” (Acts4:10, 12).
In order for Jesus to be
able to
offer that salvation he had to remain on the cross and die. In order
for that
spectator to receive salvation he would have had to believe that Jesus
was the
Son of God, and confess him as Lord.
Contrast that
spectator’s response to Jesus’ death on the cross with the response of
the
Roman Centurion who declared “Truly this man was the Son of God.”
Do we miss the blessings that God intends for us because we don’t consider the needs of anyone but ourselves? When we’re confronted with the Cross of Jesus, do we demand some further dramatic sign from heaven in order to believe? Are we willing to endure hardship and persecution for Jesus’ name?