The Stone the Builders Rejected...
Psalm 118:22-29
22 The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
23 the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 The Lord has done it this very day;
let us rejoice today and be glad.
25 Lord, save us!
Lord, grant us success!
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
From the house of the Lord we bless you.
27 The Lord is God,
and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
up to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will praise you;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.
29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Reflection: Whether David knows it or not, he is now uttering prophetic words that will be quoted in the New Testament regarding Jesus. Though the builders reject the stone, it becomes the cornerstone and it is clearly the work of the Lord not human hands. Then, we see a transition to a time of praise and celebration where people will say, “Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord.” Though the world will reject Jesus, those who have been blessed to come in His name will worship, celebrate, and give thanks and praise to God whose love endures forever.
When we worship today it is a counter cultural activity. If fact many cultural forces are working against keeping Sunday as a day of worship. What used to be regarded as a sacred is really not anymore. As believers we are called to worship God and make it a priority in our lives. As we worship God we are preparing ourselves for what we will be doing in heaven! Of course we can worship God any day at any time. Take a moment to praise God. Maybe write down some prayers or thanks or sing a song to Him. Go outside and see the beautiful Creation and worship the One who Created it ALL!!
2 Samuel 3:35-5:16
David Becomes King Over Israel
5 All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood. 2 In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’” 3 When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. 4 David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. 5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.
David Conquers Jerusalem
6 The king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, “You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off.” They thought, “David cannot get in here.” 7 Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David. 8 On that day David had said, “Anyone who conquers the Jebusites will have to use the water shaft to reach those ‘lame and blind’ who are David’s enemies.” That is why they say, “The ‘blind and lame’ will not enter the palace.”9 David then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the terraces inward. 10 And he became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with him. 11 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David. 12 Then David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. 13 After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him. 14 These are the names of the children born to him there: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet.
Reflection: Here we see the progression and acceptance of David as King, and we see a move toward Jerusalem as the place of worship for the Southern Kingdom. David and his men attack the Jebusites who occupy Jerusalem, which will become the holy place our Lord Jesus will eventually show the world the true purpose of His coming. (see below as the Gospel of John moves toward Jerusalem and the cross!)
Notice too that David all his life was faithful in what God had given him, even starting when he took on the Lion and the Bear in protecting his dad’s flock, as a young shepherd boy. Then he had faithfully served King Saul, and went on missions for him making sure God got the glory for the victory. David was a leader in every respect, and now finally he is being crowned the King of the people both by God through Samuel the prophet, and now by the people’s acknowledgment. For a brief time all of Israel is united under David’s now public leadership, though it will not last for long.
Where has God called you to lead? God calls us to be faithful no matter how big or small our leadership task is. If God has entrusted you with a family and children, being a leader in your home is a huge assignment. What are you doing to train your children to walk with God, both through your example and teaching them? Be like David and be faithful and God will reward you will more opportunities to be influential for His kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven.
John 7:1-13
Jesus Goes to the Festival of Tabernacles
7 After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. 2 But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, 3 Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. 4 No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For even his own brothers did not believe in him. 6 Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. 8 You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.” 9 After he had said this, he stayed in Galilee. 10 However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. 11 Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, “Where is he?” 12 Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.” 13 But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders.
Reflection: The most important thing I see again today with Jesus is his ability to say “no” to those who have an agenda for him, even his brothers! They want him to show off his powers in Jerusalem so more of the religious leaders will get on his side. His brothers say, “If you want to be a public figure show these things in public.” Jesus resists this pressure and instead joins them at the festival (Feast of the Tabernacles) in secret, and beings to hear the whisperings about who He is and the fear of following him begins to mount.
Notice too this is a Jewish festival, so Jews from all over would be present, just like when he eventually comes to Jerusalem for Holy Week they will all be gathered. But instead of recognizing the true reason for the Feast, they will reject the One who is anticipated in these great gatherings of God’s people.
It is for this reason as we see in the parable of the Wedding Banquet in Matthew 22, that the king said to his slaves, “Go into the highways and byways and invite everyone to wedding banquet.” In the same way God calls us out into the community to reach those who have been chosen but not yet invited.
I am going to gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with child and those in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here. Jeremiah 31:8
Jesus spoke to them in parables: “The king said to his slaves, ‘Go into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’” Matthew 22:9
O loving God, your reach and invitation extend to everyone, both near and far. Remind us each day to extend that invitation in your name. Amen.
22 The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
23 the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 The Lord has done it this very day;
let us rejoice today and be glad.
25 Lord, save us!
Lord, grant us success!
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
From the house of the Lord we bless you.
27 The Lord is God,
and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
up to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will praise you;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.
29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Reflection: Whether David knows it or not, he is now uttering prophetic words that will be quoted in the New Testament regarding Jesus. Though the builders reject the stone, it becomes the cornerstone and it is clearly the work of the Lord not human hands. Then, we see a transition to a time of praise and celebration where people will say, “Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord.” Though the world will reject Jesus, those who have been blessed to come in His name will worship, celebrate, and give thanks and praise to God whose love endures forever.
When we worship today it is a counter cultural activity. If fact many cultural forces are working against keeping Sunday as a day of worship. What used to be regarded as a sacred is really not anymore. As believers we are called to worship God and make it a priority in our lives. As we worship God we are preparing ourselves for what we will be doing in heaven! Of course we can worship God any day at any time. Take a moment to praise God. Maybe write down some prayers or thanks or sing a song to Him. Go outside and see the beautiful Creation and worship the One who Created it ALL!!
2 Samuel 3:35-5:16
David Becomes King Over Israel
5 All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood. 2 In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’” 3 When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. 4 David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. 5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.
David Conquers Jerusalem
6 The king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, “You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off.” They thought, “David cannot get in here.” 7 Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David. 8 On that day David had said, “Anyone who conquers the Jebusites will have to use the water shaft to reach those ‘lame and blind’ who are David’s enemies.” That is why they say, “The ‘blind and lame’ will not enter the palace.”9 David then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the terraces inward. 10 And he became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with him. 11 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David. 12 Then David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. 13 After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him. 14 These are the names of the children born to him there: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet.
Reflection: Here we see the progression and acceptance of David as King, and we see a move toward Jerusalem as the place of worship for the Southern Kingdom. David and his men attack the Jebusites who occupy Jerusalem, which will become the holy place our Lord Jesus will eventually show the world the true purpose of His coming. (see below as the Gospel of John moves toward Jerusalem and the cross!)
Notice too that David all his life was faithful in what God had given him, even starting when he took on the Lion and the Bear in protecting his dad’s flock, as a young shepherd boy. Then he had faithfully served King Saul, and went on missions for him making sure God got the glory for the victory. David was a leader in every respect, and now finally he is being crowned the King of the people both by God through Samuel the prophet, and now by the people’s acknowledgment. For a brief time all of Israel is united under David’s now public leadership, though it will not last for long.
Where has God called you to lead? God calls us to be faithful no matter how big or small our leadership task is. If God has entrusted you with a family and children, being a leader in your home is a huge assignment. What are you doing to train your children to walk with God, both through your example and teaching them? Be like David and be faithful and God will reward you will more opportunities to be influential for His kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven.
John 7:1-13
Jesus Goes to the Festival of Tabernacles
7 After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. 2 But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, 3 Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. 4 No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For even his own brothers did not believe in him. 6 Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. 8 You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.” 9 After he had said this, he stayed in Galilee. 10 However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. 11 Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, “Where is he?” 12 Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.” 13 But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders.
Reflection: The most important thing I see again today with Jesus is his ability to say “no” to those who have an agenda for him, even his brothers! They want him to show off his powers in Jerusalem so more of the religious leaders will get on his side. His brothers say, “If you want to be a public figure show these things in public.” Jesus resists this pressure and instead joins them at the festival (Feast of the Tabernacles) in secret, and beings to hear the whisperings about who He is and the fear of following him begins to mount.
Notice too this is a Jewish festival, so Jews from all over would be present, just like when he eventually comes to Jerusalem for Holy Week they will all be gathered. But instead of recognizing the true reason for the Feast, they will reject the One who is anticipated in these great gatherings of God’s people.
It is for this reason as we see in the parable of the Wedding Banquet in Matthew 22, that the king said to his slaves, “Go into the highways and byways and invite everyone to wedding banquet.” In the same way God calls us out into the community to reach those who have been chosen but not yet invited.
I am going to gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with child and those in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here. Jeremiah 31:8
Jesus spoke to them in parables: “The king said to his slaves, ‘Go into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’” Matthew 22:9
O loving God, your reach and invitation extend to everyone, both near and far. Remind us each day to extend that invitation in your name. Amen.
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