Psalm 80; Jer. 7:1-15; Rom. 4:1-12; John 7:14-36
If the temple is to truly be the dwelling place of God, the people have to keep their end of the covenant. It all begins with the first commandment to have no other gods before Him. If we keep that commandment we will have less trouble with the rest. If we recognize Him as our God, recognize Him as the supreme and sovereign creator of all then we will have an easier time recognizing Him as the law-giver, He is the only one who knows how we were intended to be. We must recognize that He is not only great but also good. In the law He states what He has done for them that He should be their God, He delivered them from slavery in Egypt, He is good. His call to the people here is that if He is to be their God, they must amend their ways and their deeds. Confession isn’t enough, repentance is required, the turning away from sin and false gods to righteousness and the one true God.
These teachings must surely have confused the people. They thought they knew all about Jesus, where He was from, how He got where He was today, and He tells them they don’t even know where they came from. They “know” He never studied but they marvel at His wisdom. They “know” He comes from Galilee but He says only He knows the truth about where He came from. He points always to the Father, His one aim is to give glory to the Father and because He doesn’t care for honor for Himself the words He speaks are true, they are not self-serving, they express only His love and regard for the Father. The people are confused but are beginning to decide based on the evidence of the works and are willing to at least temporarily suspend their judgment based on their “knowledge.” The leaders, however, can’t abide this and try and move against Him. The time is not yet but the die is cast.
What does it mean to have faith? Abraham’s faith was counted to him as righteousness but how do we know that he had faith? He continued to walk with the Lord, he didn’t turn back when the fulfillment of the promise was delayed. In order to get the blessing, perseverance is required. It is a hard thing to continue when nothing happens, especially when you are waiting for a promise to be fulfilled. Mary, the mother of Jesus, is one of my heroes in this regard. She had a promise from God concerning her first-born son and yet she waited thirty years for Him to begin His ministry and then she watched as He was crucified. What must she have thought, what were her prayers like in those difficult times? Certainly she had some times that gave her joy but the ups and downs of His ministry must have been grievously difficult for her. How do we respond to those times in our life with God?
God of grace and God of glory,
On Thy people pour Thy power.
Crown Thine ancient church’s story,
Bring her bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
For the facing of this hour,
For the facing of this hour.
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