20 October 2010
Psalm 38; Ecclus. 7:4-14; Rev. 8:1-13; Luke 10:17-24

Many of these proverbial sayings sound just like Jesus’ teaching. What He taught was not outside of the word that had already been revealed to the people. His application points were solid. The writer speaks here of being humble, not seeking after position and not thinking too highly of ourselves. Sounds like Jesus telling the people not to presume to the chief seats at a banquet but, rather, to take the lowest position that you might be called up higher. Likewise, don’t grow weary when you pray sounds like the story of the persistent widow. Don’t repeat yourself when you pray, seems like Jesus enjoined against vain repetition. Nearly all these come down to issues of pride and humility.

Success! The mission of the seventy was a resounding success and Jesus exulted with them in their return but with a warning. We are not to set anything above the gift of eternal life, even when our ministry is bearing fruit for the kingdom. In that there is always temptation to pride. Of course, when ministry is struggling is also a temptation to pride in believing we should be rewarded for our faithful efforts even when He isn’t doing His part. (Anyone know that attitude?) Jesus rejoices with the seventy, give thanks to the Father who has made this possible, and then speaks to the disciples privately reminding them how blessed they are to be here in this moment in time. They don’t deserve it, certainly not more than those faithful servants who have gone before and suffered persecution.

Can you imagine utter silence in heaven for 90 minutes? Before the seventh seal is opened, silence and then the prayers of the saints. Then, the final judgments of God come to the earth, beginning with four trumpet judgments in the natural, created order. That which God had created and declared to be good, is now diminished by His judgment because of us. Many today worship creation in the same way humans have done since the beginning, and here we see God’s power over His own creation and yet they will not turn away from worshipping creation to see the creator. We like the idea of a beneficent God far better than an omnipotent one.

Do not forsake me, O Lord;
O my God, do not be far from me;
make haste to help me,
O Lord, my salvation.