26 July 2010
Psalm 56, 57; Joshua 24:16-33; Rom. 16:1-16; Matt. 27:24-31

The response to Joshua’s challenge is that they know that the Lord is responsible for all that they have and all that they are, how could they possibly follow another god or gods? Joshua doesn’t believe they will be able to do it after all the years he has spent in leadership with Moses and then as he led the people and then calls on them to forsake the foreign gods they have among them already. It was important to renew the covenant, just as they had done at Jericho after they crossed the river but before they occupied the land, and to erect a monument as a reminder that here they promised to follow the Lord. Joshua understood his role as leader as in line with Moses’ role and work, to continually point away from himself to God and to call the people always to the covenant relationship, in the knowledge that God was eternal while human leadership was not. We must always remember that all our praise is due to God alone.

Pilate does his best to separate himself from this kangaroo court but simply washing his hands rather than doing justice won’t cut it. We are called to do justice when we have power over a situation and here Pilate didn’t lead, he allowed himself to be led by the mob. His releasing Barabbas and handing Jesus over to the soldiers ensured he was not innocent of this man’s blood. All that follows is due to Pilate error. (bad pun) The soldiers mock Jesus in what surely had been going through their minds since they saw the triumphal procession of Palm Sunday. Their mockery and savagery come naturally to them. I wonder if the Jews knew that it wasn’t simply Jesus being mocked, He was representative of them to these soldiers and their actions speak of their true attitude towards not just Jesus but them as well.

It is amazing how many people Paul speaks of by name in this closing to the letter to the Romans. He has relationships it seems with many people in the Lord. He urges the Christians at Rome to provide greeting, hospitality and service to all these, particularly Phoebe who has herself done much for others. Paul, due to the times and his own circumstances, knew the value of Christian community when it could either be found or created. At the time Christians were in a distinct minority and were often looked down on and persecuted for their faith and therefore fellowship with one another was a precious commodity and Paul never treated it as anything less than that. He always valued the community and the one, Jesus, who had created the community by His sacrifice. Jesus’ aloneness in His final work had made possible the existence of a community of those whom He is not loathe to call brothers and sisters.

O you who answer prayer!
To you all flesh shall come.
When deeds of iniquity overwhelm us,
you forgive our transgressions.
Happy are those whom you choose and bring near
to live in your courts.
We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house,
your holy temple.