Abba Father!
Psalm 69:13-21
New International Version (NIV)
13 But I pray to you, Lord,
in the time of your favor;
in your great love, O God,
answer me with your sure salvation.
14 Rescue me from the mire,
do not let me sink;
deliver me from those who hate me,
from the deep waters.
15 Do not let the floodwaters engulf me
or the depths swallow me up
or the pit close its mouth over me.
16 Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love;
in your great mercy turn to me.
17 Do not hide your face from your servant;
answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.
18 Come near and rescue me;
deliver me because of my foes.
19 You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed;
all my enemies are before you.
20 Scorn has broken my heart
and has left me helpless;
I looked for sympathy, but there was none,
for comforters, but I found none.
21 They put gall in my food
and gave me vinegar for my thirst.
Reflections: We see that David is at the end of his rope in this psalm, and he cries out to God from the depths of his being to soothe his suffering. His enemies have come to mock and jeer him, and we see in this psalm a reflection of the suffering of Jesus in King David. Especially in verse 21, where we see a direct linkage to Jesus’ on the cross when they offered him gall and vinegar. David’s deep cry is for God’s mercy in his situation, and we can see His great faith in God’s mercy that it will be sufficient for him despite his horrible situation.
We things are going badly, we are often tempted to have a “pity party” or lash out against our enemies in retribution. After all, they hurt us, they deserve it. Yet, in David, and later in Christ, we see the model for handling hardship. It is threefold. First, going to God in honesty and crying out to him. Second, leaning into His great store of mercy and kindness, for He knows what we are going through. Finally, having been comforted in our sorrows, we take high road and pray for our oppressors, following the model of our dear Lord. Though retaliation might provide some short term satisfaction, handling it in a godly way will bring true joy and peace in the midst of our trial and be an example to the world of the Good News.
Numbers 15:32-16:27
The Sabbath-Breaker Put to Death
32 While the Israelites were in the wilderness, a man was found gathering wood on the Sabbath day. 33 Those who found him gathering wood brought him to Moses and Aaron and the whole assembly, 34 and they kept him in custody, because it was not clear what should be done to him. 35 Then the Lord said to Moses, “The man must die. The whole assembly must stone him outside the camp. ” 36 So the assembly took him outside the camp and stoned him to death, as the Lord commanded Moses.
Tassels on Garments
37 The Lord said to Moses, 38 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. 39 You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the Lord, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by chasing after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes. 40 Then you will remember to obey all my commands and will be consecrated to your God. 41 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am the Lord your God. ’”
Reflections:
We see in this passage that God is dead serious about the Israelites honoring the laws that He gave to Moses to set them apart for His name. What seems like a fairly innocent sin, gathering wood on the Sabbath, is deemed a capital offense and punished by stoning of the members of the assembly. This would surely strike fear in the hearts of the people and remind them not to do likewise. While this seems harsh in our eyes, it is a great reminder of the importance of the Sabbath day. Why is this so important?
God calls us to set one day as holy to him. While we don’t have to get all caught up in whether this is Saturday or Sunday or a literal 24 hours; we are commanded (not a suggestion!) to set aside one day and do no work. This is ultimately a sign of trust in God to provide for us all we need. This commandment is hugely important commandment for our society today, which is driven by “work-aholism” and a constant striving for material success. To do this today is to ultimately say, “God is in charge of my life”, my possessions and my material well-being. God gave the Israelites manna in the wilderness each day as a sign of His provision. On the sixth day he gave them enough for two days, so they could honor the Sabbath day and keep it holy and do no work.
Do you honor the Sabbath day and keep it holy? This could include going to church (the primary way we honor God is to set aside time for worship, listening to His Word and receiving His sacrament), having some time to nourish your relationship with God in prayer, and also spending time with your family and other important relationships God has given to us as a gift.
Mark 14:32-42
Gethsemane
32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “Are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.41 Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
Reflections: Ironically the gospel strikingly resembles David’s situation in Psalm 69. As Jesus reaches the height of His journey, He will confront His enemy on the cross. In the desert Jesus faced the temptation of the devil to get him to use His power before it was time. At the end of the passage, it says the devil left him and waited for another opportunity to test him. In his hour of greatest need the devil gives Jesus his greatest temptation, to avoid the way of the cross. Indeed, in this passage, we see the humanity of Jesus highlighted in a way like no other scene. The word used for overwhelmed is a word that is used only here and speaks of an inexpressible sorrow. This is the horror of death and is amplified by His tempter. Jesus brings the 3 beloved disciples with him to teach them even unto His death, the power of prayer. His word like the word in the last chapter is to “watch” in prayer. It is only as we “watch” in prayer that we can be aware of our enemy’s schemes. The bible teaches us to not be “unaware of his schemes”. As we watch in prayer we can overcome the devil’s plans and temptation for us to try another way other than the way of the cross.
Later, we will see the disciples following the way of Christ even unto death. No doubt they remember Jesus’ steadfast endurance through the discipline of prayer. As we discipline ourselves each day to pray, when our hour of greatest trial comes we will be ready and watching and we can say with confidence like Jesus, “Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
Only fear the Lord, and serve him faithfully with all your heart; for consider what great things he has done for you. 1 Samuel 12:24
Those who welcomed his message devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:41,42
Jesus Christ, Chief Elder of your church, so fill our life together that we may be the diverse but peaceful family that shows your plan for creation. Amen.
New International Version (NIV)
13 But I pray to you, Lord,
in the time of your favor;
in your great love, O God,
answer me with your sure salvation.
14 Rescue me from the mire,
do not let me sink;
deliver me from those who hate me,
from the deep waters.
15 Do not let the floodwaters engulf me
or the depths swallow me up
or the pit close its mouth over me.
16 Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love;
in your great mercy turn to me.
17 Do not hide your face from your servant;
answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.
18 Come near and rescue me;
deliver me because of my foes.
19 You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed;
all my enemies are before you.
20 Scorn has broken my heart
and has left me helpless;
I looked for sympathy, but there was none,
for comforters, but I found none.
21 They put gall in my food
and gave me vinegar for my thirst.
Reflections: We see that David is at the end of his rope in this psalm, and he cries out to God from the depths of his being to soothe his suffering. His enemies have come to mock and jeer him, and we see in this psalm a reflection of the suffering of Jesus in King David. Especially in verse 21, where we see a direct linkage to Jesus’ on the cross when they offered him gall and vinegar. David’s deep cry is for God’s mercy in his situation, and we can see His great faith in God’s mercy that it will be sufficient for him despite his horrible situation.
We things are going badly, we are often tempted to have a “pity party” or lash out against our enemies in retribution. After all, they hurt us, they deserve it. Yet, in David, and later in Christ, we see the model for handling hardship. It is threefold. First, going to God in honesty and crying out to him. Second, leaning into His great store of mercy and kindness, for He knows what we are going through. Finally, having been comforted in our sorrows, we take high road and pray for our oppressors, following the model of our dear Lord. Though retaliation might provide some short term satisfaction, handling it in a godly way will bring true joy and peace in the midst of our trial and be an example to the world of the Good News.
Numbers 15:32-16:27
The Sabbath-Breaker Put to Death
32 While the Israelites were in the wilderness, a man was found gathering wood on the Sabbath day. 33 Those who found him gathering wood brought him to Moses and Aaron and the whole assembly, 34 and they kept him in custody, because it was not clear what should be done to him. 35 Then the Lord said to Moses, “The man must die. The whole assembly must stone him outside the camp. ” 36 So the assembly took him outside the camp and stoned him to death, as the Lord commanded Moses.
Tassels on Garments
37 The Lord said to Moses, 38 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. 39 You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the Lord, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by chasing after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes. 40 Then you will remember to obey all my commands and will be consecrated to your God. 41 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am the Lord your God. ’”
Reflections:
We see in this passage that God is dead serious about the Israelites honoring the laws that He gave to Moses to set them apart for His name. What seems like a fairly innocent sin, gathering wood on the Sabbath, is deemed a capital offense and punished by stoning of the members of the assembly. This would surely strike fear in the hearts of the people and remind them not to do likewise. While this seems harsh in our eyes, it is a great reminder of the importance of the Sabbath day. Why is this so important?
God calls us to set one day as holy to him. While we don’t have to get all caught up in whether this is Saturday or Sunday or a literal 24 hours; we are commanded (not a suggestion!) to set aside one day and do no work. This is ultimately a sign of trust in God to provide for us all we need. This commandment is hugely important commandment for our society today, which is driven by “work-aholism” and a constant striving for material success. To do this today is to ultimately say, “God is in charge of my life”, my possessions and my material well-being. God gave the Israelites manna in the wilderness each day as a sign of His provision. On the sixth day he gave them enough for two days, so they could honor the Sabbath day and keep it holy and do no work.
Do you honor the Sabbath day and keep it holy? This could include going to church (the primary way we honor God is to set aside time for worship, listening to His Word and receiving His sacrament), having some time to nourish your relationship with God in prayer, and also spending time with your family and other important relationships God has given to us as a gift.
Mark 14:32-42
Gethsemane
32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “Are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.41 Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
Reflections: Ironically the gospel strikingly resembles David’s situation in Psalm 69. As Jesus reaches the height of His journey, He will confront His enemy on the cross. In the desert Jesus faced the temptation of the devil to get him to use His power before it was time. At the end of the passage, it says the devil left him and waited for another opportunity to test him. In his hour of greatest need the devil gives Jesus his greatest temptation, to avoid the way of the cross. Indeed, in this passage, we see the humanity of Jesus highlighted in a way like no other scene. The word used for overwhelmed is a word that is used only here and speaks of an inexpressible sorrow. This is the horror of death and is amplified by His tempter. Jesus brings the 3 beloved disciples with him to teach them even unto His death, the power of prayer. His word like the word in the last chapter is to “watch” in prayer. It is only as we “watch” in prayer that we can be aware of our enemy’s schemes. The bible teaches us to not be “unaware of his schemes”. As we watch in prayer we can overcome the devil’s plans and temptation for us to try another way other than the way of the cross.
Later, we will see the disciples following the way of Christ even unto death. No doubt they remember Jesus’ steadfast endurance through the discipline of prayer. As we discipline ourselves each day to pray, when our hour of greatest trial comes we will be ready and watching and we can say with confidence like Jesus, “Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
Only fear the Lord, and serve him faithfully with all your heart; for consider what great things he has done for you. 1 Samuel 12:24
Those who welcomed his message devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:41,42
Jesus Christ, Chief Elder of your church, so fill our life together that we may be the diverse but peaceful family that shows your plan for creation. Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment