18 February 2011

Psalm 102; Isa. 65:17-25; 1 Tim. 5:17- 25; Mark 12:28-34

The new Jerusalem is foretold and in that new creation the fullness of the blessing of God is realized. Everything will reach its full potential because there will be no curse to stunt its growth or to cause it to be misshapen. We are to rejoice in all that God has created even now and yet we are to recognize that sin has caused that creation to be less than and in some ways other than it was intended. What we have today is only a shadow of what the Lord intended and even in fallen creation we see much for which to give thanks. Where there is scarcity there will be abundance, where there is toil there will be cooperation with creation to produce. We can scarcely imagine what is to come!

Jesus distills the commandments into two practical divisions, loving God and loving neighbor. It is axiomatic with us as Christians, it is part of our liturgical heritage to recite this passage in our worship, followed by, “Lord have mercy upon us.” Why should we respond to the recitation of the summary of the Law in this way? We respond to it in the conviction of sin, we have failed to keep the Law. Even when we break the law into two simple pieces like this we know that we have not kept it. It looks simple when you say there are two laws but the reality is that it requires much thought, much explanation and much prayer to understand “how” to keep these two commandments. It also requires a conscious act of the will at all times in order to keep them, it requires our full attention to Him in order to fulfill these commandments. We shall never fully succeed in this life and yet Jesus did so we know that when we are fully like Him, without this body of corruption, we will realize our full potential.

Often we speak only of how we deal with sin in the body of Christ so it is encouraging when Paul begins by encouraging us to celebrate those who rule well as elders. He is clear that sin must be dealt with but those who rule well as worthy of double honor, particularly those who preach and teach. Why those elders? Preaching and teaching is like chiropractic in some ways, it keeps the body aligned for best results for the whole effort. If we are to be that which hints at the kingdom of God versus the kingdom of earth, we need to hear and apply the Word of God to our lives, both individually and corporately. The kingdom can only be revealed to the world through us and if we fail to hold to sound teaching, we will bring dishonor on His Name.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;
Thy justice, like mountains, high soaring above
Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.