27 August 2010
Psalm 16, 17; Job 9:1-15,32-35; Acts 10:34-48; John 7:37-52

Job’s response is that he knows who God is, that He is righteous and unapproachable and that He has created all things and sustains all things. He knows that God is awe-inspiring and that the fear of God is justified, there is much to fear in a God so big. He also says that if that fearsome aspect of God could be laid aside, if God would meet with him not as God who can judge and destroy, but as one man with another, Job would be willing to plead his case, that he is an innocent man, not the sinful man these friends have accused him of being. In the end, what he says he needs from God is simply mercy.

One of the highlights of this festival is the pouring out of water before the Lord in faith that He will send the rains to replenish the supply. Jesus crying out the offer of living water in the midst of that already dramatic scene is a remarkable thing, here is the fulfillment of the spiritual side of this festival. Of course, the debate on who is this Jesus turns again on his Galileean roots and they can’t get past what they “know” to believe in Jesus. The Pharisees give an interesting test of Jesus’ identity, we don’t believe in Him do we? Their condemnation of the crowds, that they are accursed because they don’t know the law is more a condemnation of their leadership and also reveals their true feelings towards the people Jesus loves.

Peter and his companions are “astounded” at the reality that the Holy Spirit has been given to the Gentiles in exactly the same way they experienced Him at Pentecost. It seems likely that they had no idea what would happen here with the proclamation of Jesus to these Gentiles. God had clearly moved in Cornelius and the proof was the vision and the word of command to go that Peter had received, but what it would mean was not clear at all. Prior to this time they had gone primarily to those who were Jews or to the Samaritans, who were close kin and who were just outside the covenant but those to whom Jesus Himself had gone. This foray to a complete Gentile, though a God fearer, was a move into unknown territory. It must have been thrilling and confusing all at once to see God moving in these people who had previously been those to avoid in life.

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
I keep the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
my body also rests secure.