10 December 2010

Psalm 31; Isa. 7:10-25; 2 Thess. 2:13-3:5; Luke 22:14-30

What is rebuked here is Ahaz’ unbelief in trusting God’s command to ask for a sign. He was making his own plans without reference to God at all. We know from 1 Kings 16 what Ahaz actually did, submit himself to the king of Assyria, "I am your servant and your son. Come up and rescue me from the hand of the king of Syria and from the hand of the king of Israel, who are attacking me." He also took the silver and gold from the treasuries of the temple to the king and ultimately re-modeled the temple based on an Assyrian model, not the Lord’s. The Lord’s promise is that this will not stand, there will come a child who will lead the people into God’s promised and preferred future. We know that the king’s son, Hezekiah was a better man and a better king than his father, more willing to listen to the Lord, so this prophecy came to pass in the next generation but we also know as Christians that the greater fulfillment was in Jesus.

Jesus never made a plan for dealing with what was to come and never asked anyone to help him avoid these things. He trusted the Father always. We need a king who acts this way. Jesus offered Himself to the Father for us. He offers Himself as the sacrifice that allows those of us who have been enemies of God to be reconciled to Him. It is important in our worship that we gather around the table as these have done and remember what He has done and what it should mean to us and for us. When we gather are we concerned with who is the greatest? Jesus alone is the head and in light of His greatness we are all insignificant but for His love for us.

Paul’s personal conversion is truly remarkable. He was a leading figure in Judaism, respected by the people and at many levels aloof from them but that all changed when he met Jesus and saw himself for what he was, a sinful man far from God and in fact persecuting the Lord’s anointed. Now, he calls these Thessalonians his brothers and gives thanks for them that they are beloved by the Lord. He encourages them to remain in the faith against all persecution and all attempts to teach them anything other than what he has taught. He asks also that they pray for him and the work he has been given to do, trusting in the sovereignty of God in all things. He has understood that with Jesus the playing field has been leveled, he makes no claim to anything other than equality and brotherhood with all believers.

In you, O LORD, do I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me!
Incline your ear to me;
rescue me speedily!
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me!