28 January 2016

Scriptures:

• Psalm 27
• Genesis 25:19-34
• 2 Chronicles 1
• Luke 18:31-19:27

Observations:

The psalm today is one proclaiming God as the psalmist's salvation and stronghold. In him, he has confidence, knowing that God's protection is more effective than any weapon or army. What the psalmist asks is to dwell in the house of the Lord, to look upon God, and to be seen and answered by God. The psalmist begs God not to turn his face away, but to teach him his way and to lead him on the straight path. He then closes with a statement of faith and conviction, knowing that God will answer.

In Genesis, we see the conception and birth of Esau and Jacob, as well as God's words to Rebekah about the two of them, how they would both become great nations and that the oldest (Esau) would serve the youngest (Jacob). That prophecy plays out in the second half of the passage in which Esau sells his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew.

In 2 Chronicles, we see the beginning of Solomon's reign. He started off really well, seeking God at the tabernacle and, when God offered anything to the new king, he responded asking for wisdom, that he would be able to rightly govern the people of Israel. So, God granted him his request and also commended him on it, lavishing on him additionally, wealth and honour. We see immediately following this conversation how God blessed Solomon and Israel with abundant wealth.

In Luke, we have a number of things happening. First, Jesus tells his disciples of his impending death (again) and the disciples don't realise what he's talking about (again). 

Second, we have Jesus healing a blind man. This altercation strikes me as a little odd. We have a beggar shouting to Jesus as he is passing by, calling him the Son of David (i.e. the Messiah) and asking Jesus to have mercy on him. The people around Jesus try and shush him, but after the second cry, Jesus waves him over and bluntly asks what he wants him to do for him. The man replies that he would like his sight back, and Jesus tells him to go, for his faith has made him well. The way I read this passage, Jesus was very blunt about the whole affair and yet, I note that, again, it was the man's faith that Jesus cited being the agent that made him well. The man had enough faith to be bold in reaching out to Jesus and to bluntly ask Jesus to heal him. There was no doubt in him that we can see. None whatsoever. I would do well to keep his example in mind.

Third, we have Jesus' interaction with Zacchaeus. The man had run ahead to try and get a glimpse of Jesus, spurred on by faith, curiosity, or maybe something else entirely. Jesus stopped and engaged directly with him, declaring that he would be dining in Zacchaeus' house that day. What stands out to me is not Zacchaeus' declarations of the good he will do as evidence of a changed life, but the crowd's grumbling at how Jesus had gone to dine with a sinner and Jesus' statement that he came to seek and save the lost.

The last passage is a parable that is seen in a couple different iterations, but it narrows down to the idea of putting to good use that which God has given to us, because God is one who demands much of us. So, we should be investing what we have been given - our wisdom, knowledge, skills, assets - to the benefit of God's kingdom, not merely laying around with the tools that have been given, lest they be taken away.

Application:

There were a couple elements that stood out from today's readings. The psalms always strike a chord with me because of their honest yearnings, beautiful language, and ability to express emotions that I can barely describe in myself. The last parable stood out, because I am starting to see that, through all my begging God for freedom from sin and a better relationship with my wife, God has been giving me the tools I need to do so. I just haven't been paying attention or using them. So, I'm beginning to pick them up, to learn how to do things God's way instead of James' way.