The Holy Temple

What the Prophets Foretold
Jesus and the Davidic Covenant
Jesus Cleanses the Temple

Habakkuk 2:18-20

The Message

^18-19 “What’s the use of a carved god
    so skillfully carved by its sculptor?
What good is a fancy cast god
    when all it tells is lies?
What sense does it make to be a pious god-maker
    who makes gods that can’t even talk?
Who do you think you are—
    saying to a stick of wood, ‘Wake up,’
Or to a dumb stone, ‘Get up’?
    Can they teach you anything about anything?
There’s nothing to them but surface.
    There’s nothing on the inside.

²⁰ “But oh! God is in his holy Temple!
    Quiet everyone—a holy silence. Listen!”

For Reflection

Making images of gods made the vision of a god concrete.  The crafted gods allowed each person to carry the god around and worship it at will.  If one had many special task gods, a pocket full would not hurt.

What gods do we craft with our own hands?  God of wealth? power? self image? god of status quo? How about the holy god of being right?

Our God is not made by human hand or mind for that matter.  Our God is not a figment of our attempts to explain the inexplicable.  Our God is real and dwells in our souls.  Our bodes are holy temples.  Be quiet and listen in holy silence. God talks!

Pray

Sit silently and meditate on the God who lives in you. Listen. God speaks.

Coming in the Lord's Name

Jesus' Fulfillment of Scripture
Jesus and the Davidic Covenant
Triumphant and Victorious

Psalm 118:21-29

The Message

^21-25 Thank you for responding to me;
    you’ve truly become my salvation!
The stone the masons discarded as flawed
    is now the capstone!
This is God’s work.
    We rub our eyes—we can hardly believe it!
This is the very day God acted—
    let’s celebrate and be festive!
Salvation now, God. Salvation now!
    Oh yes, God—a free and full life!

^26-29 Blessed are you who enter in God’s name—
    from God’s house we bless you!
God is God,
    he has bathed us in light.
Festoon the shrine with garlands,
    hang colored banners above the altar!
You’re my God, and I thank you.
    O my God, I lift high your praise.
Thank God—he’s so good.
    His love never quits!

 
For Reflection

Our Savior has shown us that following God's will results in mysterious unexpected consequences.  In losing one's self one finds ones self in God.  In death we find life in the Holy Spirit.  In the humiliation of the cross we find exaltation of our Lord Jesus.  That is why we make him the foundation of our hope, the center of our unity, and the purpose for our living.

 

Pray

"that our God will make you fit for what he’s called you to be, pray that he’ll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something." Psalm 12

Your Salvation Comes!

Jesus' Fulfillment of Scripture
Jesus and the Davidic Covenant
Triumphant and Victorious

Isaiah 62:8-12

The Message

^8-9 God has taken a solemn oath,
    an oath he means to keep:
“Never again will I open your grain-filled barns
    to your enemies to loot and eat.
Never again will foreigners drink the wine
    that you worked so hard to produce.
No. The farmers who grow the food will eat the food
    and praise God for it.
And those who make the wine will drink the wine
    in my holy courtyards.”

^10-12 Walk out of the gates. Get going!
    Get the road ready for the people.
Build the highway. Get at it!
    Clear the debris,
    hoist high a flag, a signal to all peoples!
Yes! God has broadcast to all the world:
    “Tell daughter Zion, ‘Look! Your Savior comes,
Ready to do what he said he’d do,
    prepared to complete what he promised.’”
Zion will be called new names: Holy People, God-Redeemed,
    Sought-Out, City-Not-Forsaken.

 
For Reflection

What does it mean to be saved?  Does it mean that you will reap a reward in Heaven?  Perhaps so, and so much more!  Our salvation is here and now.  Salvation is about personal transformation and the transformation of societies. Salvation is found in living the way of the Lord as evidenced in the life of Christ.

 

Pray

prayers of thanksgiving for the transformational power of God.  Pray to keep the Spirit of God working in side of you and leading you into God's will.

The Lord Gives Victory

Jesus' Fulfillment of Scripture
Jesus and the Davidic Covenant
Triumphant and Victorious

Psalm 20

The Message

A David Psalm

^1-4 God answer you on the day you crash,
The name God-of-Jacob put you out of harm’s reach,
Send reinforcements from Holy Hill,
Dispatch from Zion fresh supplies,
Exclaim over your offerings,
Celebrate your sacrifices,
Give you what your heart desires,
Accomplish your plans.

⁵ When you win, we plan to raise the roof
    and lead the parade with our banners.
May all your wishes come true!

⁶ That clinches it—help’s coming,
    an answer’s on the way,
    everything’s going to work out.

^7-8 See those people polishing their chariots,
    and those others grooming their horses?
    But we’re making garlands for God our God.
The chariots will rust,
    those horses pull up lame—
    and we’ll be on our feet, standing tall.

⁹ Make the king a winner, God;
    the day we call, give us your answer.

For Reflection

The day you crash and burn could be the best day of your life!  It is the day that you finally realize that you cannot go it alone.  The day you finally become so confused and frustrated that you reach out to God, even in anger, cursing the day you were born is the day help will arrive.  A glimmer of hope transforms into blinding salvation.  It is the day, in the lyrics of an old time gospel tune, you turn your radio on. http://www.songlyrics.com/the-statler-brothers/turn-your-radio-on-lyrics/ sung by the Statler Brothers.

Pray

for all those who are at rope's end.  Pray that they will find comfort and peace.  Pray that God will lead them to salvation from their troubles. Pray for those through whom God works miracles every day.

The Lord Protects

Jesus' Fulfillment of Scripture
Jesus and the Davidic Covenant
Triumphant and Victorious

Zechariah 9:10-17

The Message

A Humble King Riding a Donkey

^9-10 “Shout and cheer, Daughter Zion!
    Raise the roof, Daughter Jerusalem!
Your king is coming!
    a good king who makes all things right,
    a humble king riding a donkey,
    a mere colt of a donkey.
I’ve had it with war—no more chariots in Ephraim,
    no more war horses in Jerusalem,
    no more swords and spears, bows and arrows.
He will offer peace to the nations,
    a peaceful rule worldwide,
    from the four winds to the seven seas.

^11-13 “And you, because of my blood covenant with you,
    I’ll release your prisoners from their hopeless cells.
Come home, hope-filled prisoners!
    This very day I’m declaring a double bonus—
    everything you lost returned twice-over!
Judah is now my weapon, the bow I’ll pull,
    setting Ephraim as an arrow to the string.
I’ll wake up your sons, O Zion,
    to counter your sons, O Greece.
From now on
    people are my swords.”

^14-17 Then God will come into view,
    his arrows flashing like lightning!
Master God will blast his trumpet
    and set out in a whirlwind.
God-of-the-Angel-Armies will protect them—
    all-out war,
The war to end all wars,
    no holds barred.
Their God will save the day. He’ll rescue them.
    They’ll become like sheep, gentle and soft,
Or like gemstones in a crown,
    catching all the colors of the sun.
Then how they’ll shine! shimmer! glow!
    the young men robust, the young women lovely!

 
For Reflection

What is the will of God?  It is set out fairly clearly in these passages.  The will of God is that his Kingdom is realized as one that abhors violence among people, is locked in an unbreakable protective blood covenant given in grace without conditions, a compassionate world, full of justice and hope. It is to this end that God calls us all to a life reconciled to God.

 

Pray

that the world might see the wisdom in justice, the compassion in service and the joy in advancing God's will.

The Lord Enthroned as King

Jesus' Fulfillment of Scripture
Jesus and the Davidic Covenant
Triumphant and Victorious

Psalm 29

The Message

A David Psalm

29 ^1-2 Bravo, God, bravo!
    Gods and all angels shout, “Encore!”
In awe before the glory,
    in awe before God’s visible power.
Stand at attention!
    Dress your best to honor him!

³ God thunders across the waters,
Brilliant, his voice and his face, streaming brightness—
God, across the flood waters.

⁴ God’s thunder tympanic,
God’s thunder symphonic.

⁵ God’s thunder smashes cedars,
God topples the northern cedars.

⁶ The mountain ranges skip like spring colts,
The high ridges jump like wild kid goats.

^7-8 God’s thunder spits fire.
God thunders, the wilderness quakes;
He makes the desert of Kadesh shake.

⁹ God’s thunder sets the oak trees dancing
A wild dance, whirling; the pelting rain strips their branches.
We fall to our knees—we call out, “Glory!”

¹⁰ Above the floodwaters is God’s throne
    from which his power flows,
    from which he rules the world.

¹¹ God makes his people strong.
God gives his people peace.

 
For Reflection

Life is not just about you and me and us.  Life is about us and God.  Look around you.   Does it matter if God created in six days or sixty million years? Beyond the facts lies God's truth.  God reveals his creation, wisdom and God's truth -- ultimate truth, God's meaning beyond facts.  God's creation is ultimate beauty. It surrounds us in glory. And in spite of how we care for it and each other, God invites us to his table to share in God's wisdom and healing power.  God makes us strong.  God wills peace and we, the stewards of his kingdom, are the agents of God's peace.  Oh yes!

 

Pray

that we, like musicians performing a colossal symphony, written by God, orchestrated by Christ and directed by the Holy spirit, join our individual talents to play harmoniously to the will of God.

The Lamb Will Be Their Shepherd

Jesus' Fulfillment of Scripture
Jesus and the Davidic Covenant
Worthy Is the Lamb

Revelation 7:9-17

The Message

^9-12 I looked again. I saw a huge crowd, too huge to count. Everyone was there—all nations and tribes, all races and languages. And they were standing, dressed in white robes and waving palm branches, standing before the Throne and the Lamb and heartily singing:

Salvation to our God on his Throne!
Salvation to the Lamb!

All who were standing around the Throne—Angels, Elders, Animals—fell on their faces before the Throne and worshiped God, singing:

Oh, Yes!
The blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving,
The honor and power and strength,
To our God forever and ever and ever!
Oh, Yes!

^13-14 Just then one of the Elders addressed me: “Who are these dressed in white robes, and where did they come from?” Taken aback, I said, “O Sir, I have no idea—but you must know.”

^14-17 Then he told me, “These are those who come from the great tribulation, and they’ve washed their robes, scrubbed them clean in the blood of the Lamb. That’s why they’re standing before God’s Throne. They serve him day and night in his Temple. The One on the Throne will pitch his tent there for them: no more hunger, no more thirst, no more scorching heat. The Lamb on the Throne will shepherd them, will lead them to spring waters of Life. And God will wipe every last tear from their eyes.”

 
For Reflection

As we are transformed in repentance we are enlisted in the Kingdom of God.  Fearlessly, we serve God and God will encourage, protect, defend and forgive us.  And we, the people of God, will each stand as a beacon, light blending into light, inviting all to merge into the light of God.

 

Pray

that your light will attract others to blend into the light of God. 

The Wrath of the Lamb

Jesus' Fulfillment of Scripture
Jesus and the Davidic Covenant
Worthy Is the Lamb

Revelation 6:12-17

The Message

^12-17 I watched while he ripped off the sixth seal: a bone-jarring earthquake, sun turned black as ink, moon all bloody, stars falling out of the sky like figs shaken from a tree in a high wind, sky snapped shut like a book, islands and mountains sliding this way and that. And then pandemonium, everyone and his dog running for cover—kings, princes, generals, rich and strong, along with every commoner, slave or free. They hid in mountain caves and rocky dens, calling out to mountains and rocks, “Refuge! Hide us from the One Seated on the Throne and the wrath of the Lamb! The great Day of their wrath has come—who can stand it?”

For Reflection

The book, Revelation, is difficult.  It is so full of mystery and mysterious images written in a time and culture we can barely understand. The book is interpreted in multiple ways, but, I prefer to see it as an allegory of a spiritual path and ongoing struggle. The realization of our inhumanity apart from God confronts us in frightening ways.  Seeing ourselves in the God's mirror causes us to hide from the hideous reflection. Only those who are willing to be transformed in the image of God are able to stand it.

Pray

that the realization of who you are without God will cause you to turn to a new mind in God. Pray that all who see themselves in your God transformed reflection will question their Godless paths.

The Lord Gives Victory

Jesus' Fulfillment of Scripture
Jesus and the Davidic Covenant
Triumphant and Victorious

Psalm 20

The Message

A David Psalm

^1-4 God answer you on the day you crash,
The name God-of-Jacob put you out of harm’s reach,
Send reinforcements from Holy Hill,
Dispatch from Zion fresh supplies,
Exclaim over your offerings,
Celebrate your sacrifices,
Give you what your heart desires,
Accomplish your plans.

⁵ When you win, we plan to raise the roof
    and lead the parade with our banners.
May all your wishes come true!

⁶ That clinches it—help’s coming,
    an answer’s on the way,
    everything’s going to work out.

^7-8 See those people polishing their chariots,
    and those others grooming their horses?
    But we’re making garlands for God our God.
The chariots will rust,
    those horses pull up lame—
    and we’ll be on our feet, standing tall.

⁹ Make the king a winner, God;
    the day we call, give us your answer.

 
For Reflection

The day you crash and burn could be the best day f your life!  It is the day that you finally realize that you cannot go it alone.  The day you finally become so confused and frustrated that you reach out to God, even in anger, cursing the day you were born is the day help will arrive.  A glimmer of hope transforms into blinding salvation.  It is the day, in the lyrics of an old time gospel tune, you turn your radio on. (http://www.songlyrics.com/the-statler-brothers/turn-your-radio-on-lyrics/ sung by the Statler Brothers.)

 

Pray

for all those who are at rope's end.  Pray that they will find comfort and peace.  Pray that God will lead them to salvation from their troubles. Pray for those through whom God works miracles every day.

The Lord Cares for the Flock

Jesus' Fulfillment of Scripture
Jesus and the Davidic Covenant
Worthy Is the Lamb

Zechariah 10:1-5

The Message

God’s Work of Rebuilding

10 Pray to God for rain—it’s time for the spring rain—
    to God, the rainmaker,
Spring thunderstorm maker,
    maker of grain and barley.

^2-3 “Store-bought gods babble gibberish.
    Religious experts spout rubbish.
They pontificate hot air.
    Their prescriptions are nothing but smoke.
And so the people wander like lost sheep,
    poor lost sheep without a shepherd.
I’m furious with the so-called shepherds.
    They’re worse than billy goats, and I’ll treat them like goats.”

^3-5 God-of-the-Angel-Armies will step in
    and take care of his flock, the people of Judah.
He’ll revive their spirits,
    make them proud to be on God’s side.
God will use them in his work of rebuilding,
    use them as foundations and pillars,
Use them as tools and instruments,
    use them to oversee his work.
They’ll be a workforce to be proud of, working as one,
    their heads held high, striding through swamps and mud,
Courageous and vigorous because God is with them,
    undeterred by the world’s thugs.

 
For Reflection

What a wonderful image.  It is now spring.  The rains will wash away the darkness of winter's hold on the land and propel its restoration.  As the rain restores the land, God will restore us. Our spirits restored, God will put us to work planting the seeds of reconciliation and cultivating God's garden of hope.  The winters of idolatry and empty promises producing disappointment and despair will be washed away by God's healing rains.  We, members of God's Angel Army, revived in spirit, will continue to be instruments in service to the Lord.

 

Pray

that you will be a willing and obedient instrument of God's will.  Pray that you will be humbled by your commission.  Pray that you will be moved by your compassion to bring healing to an unjust world.

Dreams Turn Sour

Jesus' Fulfillment of Scripture
Jesus and the Davidic Covenant
Worthy Is the Lamb

Psalm 80:8-19

The Message

^8-18 Remember how you brought a young vine from Egypt,
    cleared out the brambles and briers
    and planted your very own vineyard?
You prepared the good earth,
    you planted her roots deep;
    the vineyard filled the land.
Your vine soared high and shaded the mountains,
    even dwarfing the giant cedars.
Your vine ranged west to the Sea,
    east to the River.
So why do you no longer protect your vine?
    Trespassers pick its grapes at will;
Wild pigs crash through and crush it,
    and the mice nibble away at what’s left.
God-of-the-Angel-Armies, turn our way!
    Take a good look at what’s happened
    and attend to this vine.
Care for what you once tenderly planted—
    the vine you raised from a shoot.
And those who dared to set it on fire—
    give them a look that will kill!
Then take the hand of your once-favorite child,
    the child you raised to adulthood.
We will never turn our back on you;
    breathe life into our lungs so we can shout your name!

¹⁹ God, God-of-the-Angel-Armies, come back!
    Smile your blessing smile:
    That will be our salvation.

 
For Reflection

There may be times when the dream of a kingdom where justice, compassion, and love dominate the relationships of people to each other and to God seems to be broken.  Despair, disappointment and doubt replace hope.  When disillusionment threatens, is not the time to turn from God.  It is the time to pray hard and earnestly for restoration and for the intervention of God.

 

Pray

for the courage to approach God with your concerns about God's Kingdom.  Pray humbly and earnestly for God to restore all people to his household.  Pray for those who labor in his service.  Pray to fulfill your role in God's plan. Pray to end doubt.

Sheep without a Shepherd

Jesus' Fulfillment of Scripture
Jesus and the Davidic Covenant
Worthy Is the Lamb

Matthew 9:35-10:4

The Message

^35-38 Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. “What a huge harvest!” he said to his disciples. “How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!”

The Twelve Harvest Hands

10 ^1-4 The prayer was no sooner prayed than it was answered. Jesus called twelve of his followers and sent them into the ripe fields. He gave them power to kick out the evil spirits and to tenderly care for the bruised and hurt lives. This is the list of the twelve he sent:

Simon (they called him Peter, or “Rock”),
Andrew, his brother,
James, Zebedee’s son,
John, his brother,
Philip,
Bartholomew,
Thomas,
Matthew, the tax man,
James, son of Alphaeus,
Thaddaeus,
Simon, the Canaanite,
Judas Iscariot (who later turned on him).

For Reflection

I am struck by what Jesus does not say.  In these passages Christ does not commission The Twelve to gather converts. He does not send them out to build a worshiping body.  Christ, moved by the compassion of God, sent The Twelve to heal.  There was no instruction to heal all who declare allegiance to Christ. With the power given by God, The Twelve were commissioned to displace evil and in humility and tenderness, heal all who are bruised and hurt,  Is the mission of the Christian Church to convert as many worshipers as possible, or is it to steward God's Kingdom as a shepherd stewards his flock?

Pray

that the Church will focus on the healing of all people.  Pray for those, all over the world, who suffer, and are confused and aimless. Pray for those who are ravaged by demonic forces of violence, injustices and all manner of human pain.  Pray for those who are moved by the compassion of God to serve a ministry of healing.

Made Both Lord and Messiah

Jesus' Fulfillment of Scripture
Jesus and the Davidic Covenant
Son of David

Acts 2:33-36

The Message

^29-36 “Dear friends, let me be completely frank with you. Our ancestor David is dead and buried—his tomb is in plain sight today. But being also a prophet and knowing that God had solemnly sworn that a descendant of his would rule his kingdom, seeing far ahead, he talked of the resurrection of the Messiah—‘no trip to Hades, no stench of death.’ This Jesus, God raised up. And every one of us here is a witness to it. Then, raised to the heights at the right hand of God and receiving the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, he poured out the Spirit he had just received. That is what you see and hear. For David himself did not ascend to heaven, but he did say,

God said to my Master, “Sit at my right hand
Until I make your enemies a stool for resting your feet.”

“All Israel, then, know this: There’s no longer room for doubt—God made him Master and Messiah, this Jesus whom you killed on a cross.”

 
For Reflection

The Christ event is to be understood as a fulfillment of God's promise, that a descendant of David would rule God's kingdom.  All of us who have received and accepted the promise of the Holy Spirit are witnessed to the resurrection in our own lives.  There is no longer room for doubt. 

 

Pray

that you will be an obedient steward of God's kingdom.  Pray that you will follow the Way as signified by the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Heavenly Call of God

Jesus' Fulfillment of Scripture
Jesus and the Davidic Covenant
Son of David

Philippians 3:12-16

The Message

Focused on the Goal

^12-14 I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.

^15-16 So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.

 
For Reflection

Beware of those who say they have it right.  Nobody has it right!  Some of us approach the truth but never really see it all.  As soon as you think you have God worked out, your concept is challenged.  That's the beauty of God.  That is what keeps you growing in righteousness.  Always be open to something new and wonderful from God. 

 

Pray

that you will never be closed to changes in your Godly transformation.  Pray that you will keep your eye focused upon the kingdom of God and God's evolving plan for your life and for the lives of all people.

The Power of the Resurrection

Jesus' Fulfillment of Scripture
Jesus and the Davidic Covenant
Son of David

Philippians 3:7-11

The Message

^7-9 The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn’t want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God’s righteousness.
^10-11 I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.

 
For Reflection

Everybody seems to pull the Authority Card!  Politicians, religious leaders, law makers, and virtually anyone who wants to influence your attitudes, beliefs, values and action.  We live in the era of empirical proof.  The problems is that sometimes the proofs contradict themselves or guide us away from the spiritual truths we hold in an attempt to discredit our hope.  Remember the most valuable truths are not empirically derived.  The most important truths are theological, residing in God.

 

Pray

that your faith remains robust in the face of confusing alternatives.  Pray that you will always be a partner to Christ's suffering.  Pray prayers of thanksgiving for the resurrected Christ.

Freed from the Fear of Death

Jesus' Fulfillment of Scripture
Jesus and the Davidic Covenant
Son of David

Hebrews 2:14-18

The Message

^14-15 Since the children are made of flesh and blood, it’s logical that the Savior took on flesh and blood in order to rescue them by his death. By embracing death, taking it into himself, he destroyed the Devil’s hold on death and freed all who cower through life, scared to death of death.

^16-18 It’s obvious, of course, that he didn’t go to all this trouble for angels. It was for people like us, children of Abraham. That’s why he had to enter into every detail of human life. Then, when he came before God as high priest to get rid of the people’s sins, he would have already experienced it all himself—all the pain, all the testing—and would be able to help where help was needed.

 
For Reflection

Do you fear death?  Fear of death seems to be our most vulnerable weakness.  Just look to the appeals pharmaceutical advertisements for proof if you need it.  Christ has shown us that death has no sting.  Death thus becomes just a transition into new life.  As Christians, we mourn our human loss but celebrate our past lives and our future lives after death.  It is, perhaps, even more difficult to deny appeals to return to a former life of sin, apart from God.  Figuratively, we die to our old lives when we commit to a new life in Christ.

 

Pray

that you embrace death as a part of life. Pray that you will not fear death.  Pray that appeals to fear of losing you old life carry so little weight that it does not hamper your growth into righteousness and grace.

Show Me the Path of Life

Jesus' Fulfillment of Scripture
Jesus and the Davidic Covenant
Son of David

Psalm 16:7-11

The Message

^7-8 The wise counsel God gives when I’m awake
    is confirmed by my sleeping heart.
Day and night I’ll stick with God;
    I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go.

^9-10 I’m happy from the inside out,
    and from the outside in, I’m firmly formed.
You canceled my ticket to hell—
    that’s not my destination!

¹¹ Now you’ve got my feet on the life path,
    all radiant from the shining of your face.
Ever since you took my hand,
    I’m on the right way.

 
For Reflection

Isn't there always someone willing to point out our errors, eager to tell us what's wrong?  Sometimes we, too, are quick to dwell on mistakes. It seems that focusing on not breaking rules limits us to seeing only error.  However, if one focuses on hope, error becomes an acceptable opportunity to learn.  As as the psalmist declares, looking at what is right and focusing on staying the course toward righteousness is much more effective that trying to eliminate wrong.  God takes our hand and walks the path of righteousness with us.  Celebrate that!  Look forward with hope that overrides human circumstance.  Go with God!

 

Pray

for sticking power. Pray to hold on to God tenaciously. Pray that you will never loos hope.  Pray that you will listen to the God whispers as Christ walks beside you.

Following the Son of David

Jesus' Fulfillment of Scripture
Jesus and the Davidic Covenant
Son of David

Mark 10:46-52

The Message

^46-48 They spent some time in Jericho. As Jesus was leaving town, trailed by his disciples and a parade of people, a blind beggar by the name of Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, was sitting alongside the road. When he heard that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by, he began to cry out, “Son of David, Jesus! Mercy, have mercy on me!” Many tried to hush him up, but he yelled all the louder, “Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!”

^49-50 Jesus stopped in his tracks. “Call him over.”
They called him. “It’s your lucky day! Get up! He’s calling you to come!” Throwing off his coat, he was on his feet at once and came to Jesus.
⁵¹ Jesus said, “What can I do for you?”
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
⁵² “On your way,” said Jesus. “Your faith has saved and healed you.”
In that very instant he recovered his sight and followed Jesus down the road.

 
For Reflection

Christianity  encounters modern culture.  Christianity engages us in a life journey that requires faith hope and confidence in the promise of God. Through Jesus Christ, the faithful will heal the world.

 

Pray

for peace.  Pray for those who are suffering the domination of others that they will find peace.  Pray for those who terrorize that they may displace their search for material power with a search for truth, compassion and justice.

Hosanna to the Son of David

Jesus' Fulfillment of Scripture
Jesus and the Davidic Covenant
Son of David

Matthew 21:12-17

The Message

He Kicked Over the Tables

^12-14 Jesus went straight to the Temple and threw out everyone who had set up shop, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of loan sharks and the stalls of dove merchants. He quoted this text:

My house was designated a house of prayer;
You have made it a hangout for thieves.

Now there was room for the blind and crippled to get in. They came to Jesus and he healed them.

^15-16 When the religious leaders saw the outrageous things he was doing, and heard all the children running and shouting through the Temple, “Hosanna to David’s Son!” they were up in arms and took him to task. “Do you hear what these children are saying?”
Jesus said, “Yes, I hear them. And haven’t you read in God’s Word, ‘From the mouths of children and babies I’ll furnish a place of praise’?”
¹⁷ Fed up, Jesus turned on his heel and left the city for Bethany, where he spent the night.

 
For Reflection

That which separates humans from God is sinful. The merchants of sin provided a stumbling block for many who wished to worship him.  The religious leaders were angry and through Jesus, took God to task.  It reminds us all that religion is not God, merely a human device to aid all to worship God and answer God's call for obedience.

 

Pray

Pray for the wisdom to see through religion to the intentions God has for his rule.  Pray that you will use the law of freedom, justice and compassion as a guide to the practice of your faith.  Pray that you will serve the Kingdom or God humbly.

Is This the Son of David?

Jesus' Fulfillment of Scripture
Jesus and the Davidic Covenant
Son of David

Matthew 12:15-23

The Message

In Charge of Everything

^15-21 Jesus, knowing they were out to get him, moved on. A lot of people followed him, and he healed them all. He also cautioned them to keep it quiet, following guidelines set down by Isaiah:

Look well at my handpicked servant;
    I love him so much, take such delight in him.
I’ve placed my Spirit on him;
    he’ll decree justice to the nations.
But he won’t yell, won’t raise his voice;
    there’ll be no commotion in the streets.
He won’t walk over anyone’s feelings,
    won’t push you into a corner.
Before you know it, his justice will triumph;
    the mere sound of his name will signal hope, even
    among far-off unbelievers

For Reflection

Not Christ the Warrior, but rather, Christ the healer.  Could we, with the spirit of God residing in us, have the patience, wisdom, courage, compassion, and humility to follow in Christ's path?

Pray

for the patience, wisdom, courage, compassion, and humility to follow in Christ's path.  Pray that the sound of Jesus name will signal hope to all who hear it.

The King of the Jews

Jesus' Fulfillment of Scripture
Jesus and the Davidic Covenant
Son of David

Matthew 2:1-6

The Message

Scholars from the East

2 ^1-2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory— this was during Herod’s kingship—a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, “Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We’re on pilgrimage to worship him.”

^3-4 When word of their inquiry got to Herod, he was terrified—and not Herod alone, but most of Jerusalem as well. Herod lost no time. He gathered all the high priests and religion scholars in the city together and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”
^5-6 They told him, “Bethlehem, Judah territory. The prophet Micah wrote it plainly:

It’s you, Bethlehem, in Judah’s land,
    no longer bringing up the rear.
From you will come the leader
    who will shepherd-rule my people, my Israel.”

 
For Reflection

Matthew recognized Jesus connection to the Hebrew prophesies. It is as it has always been.  The name of God, even in Jesus, the Christ, has among every nation, called those who seek justice and truth and struck fear in those who serve other gods.

 

Pray

that those who serve the god of materialism, money and power, find compassion an justice more rewarding.  Pray for those who are caught in competing forces of dominance that they will find solace in the Lord.  Pray for those who have seen and accepted the call of God that they may face life with courage and hope.

A Son Named Emmanuel

Jesus' Fulfillment of Scripture
Jesus and the Davidic Covenant
Son of David

Matthew 1:22-25

The Message

^20-23 While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God’s angel spoke in the dream: “Joseph, son of David, don’t hesitate to get married. Mary’s pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God’s Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus—‘God saves’—because he will save his people from their sins.” This would bring the prophet’s embryonic sermon to full term:

Watch for this—a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son;
They will name him Immanuel (Hebrew for “God is with us”).

^24-25 Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God’s angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus.

 
For Reflection

The fact that Christ was from the linage of David proves the relationship between the New Testament, Gospels, and and the Hebrew Bible, the Old Testament.  The Christ event continues and redefines the long Hebrew tradition of obedience to the true God.   Furthermore, the Gospel reaffirms the Hebrew faith and defines the way to reconciliation with God. The old is made new again.

 

Pray

that you will see your own faith journey and life journey as an extension of God's one-way covenant with Abraham, extended through the house of David and by the grace of God, called to reside in the household of God.