13 September 2010
Psalm 56, 57; Job 40:1-24; Acts 15:36-16:5; John 11:55-12:8

The Lord continues to show Job the vast difference between Him and us. Job’s gets in a short response, I get it, shutting up now. Even compared to a created being, referred to as behemoth and variously interpreted to be hippopotamus, crocodile, etc., we are as nothing and yet we do as CS Lewis said, put God in the dock and call Him to answer our questions and complaints as though we have the wisdom to cross-examine Him. If we would proceed we must understand the extraordinary arrogance of our position.

Mary worships Jesus by pouring this perfume over his feet. Jesus says that this is preparation for his burial. He knows the leaders are plotting to arrest Him and He knows what is to come. Mary has spent lavishly on this offering and as the men eat and Martha serves, she makes her offering to Jesus in love. Remember the home of Simon the Pharisee when the sinful woman does a similar thing in bathing the feet of Jesus when Simon had not offered basic hospitality and now consider that Mary even more lavishly performs that service. Jewish slaves in a Jewish home could not be asked to wash the feet of anyone, it was thought to be beneath them. Mary willingly and lovingly performs this service. Judas does not understand and shows that he values money more than people, even more than Jesus. Jesus’ rebuke is to say that there is a time for everything but Mary here has recognized the moment and responded to Her insight that nothing is more important.

Why does Paul have Timothy circumcised? Timothy’s situation is slightly different from the Gentile converts to the faith. Timothy’s mother is Jewish which makes him a Jew as well, it is proper for him to be circumcised in that he is a Jew whose faith has been fulfilled in Jesus. Paul never preached that anyone not a Jew should become one, but that everyone who was a Jew should identify themselves fully with it through Jesus. It is not, however, by circumcision or obedience to the law that we are reconciled to God or brought into the family of God, but by the blood of Jesus and faith in the efficacy of His sacrifice on our behalf. Paul then delivered the decisions of the Jerusalem council to the Gentiles, not insisting on their circumcision.

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,
for in you my soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
until the destroying storms pass by.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens.
Let your glory be over all the earth.