11 July 2010
Psalm 148, 149, 150; Joshua 1:1-18; Acts 21:3-15; Mark 1:21-27

Joshua is now the leader. It is easier to be in the second seat than in the seat of leadership. While he was prepared to take the promised land forty years before, the risks for a leader are greater than for the number two person. It takes more courage for the leader to make those hard decisions. The Lord tells him multiple times to be strong and courageous, just as Moses had told him in Deuteronomy 31 when he told him it was his turn to lead. Joshua first must call those tribes who have already settled on the other side of the Jordan and hold them accountable for their promise to lead the people into the land that they will not occupy. They agree willingly to go and then they too call for Joshua to be strong and courageous. A leader needs to hear it often.

The authority with which Jesus taught was the authority of one who truly knew the intent of the law and how it was to be interpreted both in words and in life. Teachers, rabbis, scribes, taught with a derived authority, quoting the teachers who had taught them, “Rabbi so-and-so taught…” Clearly Jesus did not teach that way, He taught with an authority that comes from being the law-giver and knowing the true interpretation. The people responded to His teaching. A demon presented itself in the assembly and Jesus spoke to it with the same authority with which He taught, as one who had authority over the demon. His authority is the authority of the Son. We, as adopted children, filled with His Spirit, have a similar authority.

Everyone seems to have known what was going to happen if Paul went to Jerusalem. Then, as now, people want to prevent pain and suffering, and all attempt to persuade Paul not to go to Jerusalem. The disciples did their best to prevent Jesus from going as well. Paul will not be dissuaded, he is prepared to meet his destiny. He received the words of prophecy but refuses to accept their interpretation of what it means for him. Paul was convinced that if this was to be the case, it was the Lord’s will. How many of us would have the courage to do as Paul did here? Would most of us not be glad for the chance to avoid arrest and imprisonment? Paul was strong and courageous, just as Joshua was, and it is for that strength and courage that he is admired.

Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty firmament!
Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his surpassing greatness!
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!