Psalm 87, 90; Jer. 13:1-11; Rom. 6:12-23; John 8:47-59
The prophet is instructed to act out a parable for the people’s benefit. He was to purchase a new loin cloth, a belt essentially that was worn close to the body as an undergarment, for himself and to wear it for a time. Part two of the instructions were to take that which had been close to himself for that time and place it in a cleft of the rock near the river Euphrates. After many days he was to retrieve the belt which, due to its proximity to the moisture of the river was now ruined for any use whatever. This was to serve as a metaphor for the relationship between Yahweh and His people. They had been purchased by Him for His own use, they were held closely to Him, but they had gone astray and were now ruined for their intended service. The Euphrates is also of possible significance in that the Mesopotamians figured in the apostasy and the Babylonians in the exile.
What does it mean to be “of God.” Jesus tells them that those who hear are of God and they don’t hear because they aren’t of God. They would certainly believe themselves to be of God by virtue of the covenant of circumcision, they are the chosen ones, and these particular ones are, like Nicodemus, the teachers of Israel. As a pastor I would certainly be upset if someone told me that I wasn’t of God and had no understanding or relationship with Him. Their response to Jesus and what we know of Jesus certainly tell us that He was speaking truth here but it also explains their reaction, you are a Samaritan and have a demon, tit for tat. Everything seems to turn on one simple point, who do you make yourself out to be? Jesus’ response is that He isn’t trying to make Himself out to be anything, what He does is for the Father’s glory, not His own, He receives glory only from the Father, everything else is secondary.
Are we slaves to righteousness? Have we been set free from the bondage of sin? I still see sin in my life so I can’t say that I am a slave to righteousness. I am not perfect, don’t believe I ever will be so long as I go about in this body, I believe that the fall is complete in my life, that I can’t know God or recognize Him in Jesus without Him working in me and yet I still don’t have complete victory over sin. Do I desire to see that victory enough to pursue it with all that is within me? Am I willing to be ruthlessly intolerant of sin in my life? Sin in our lives keeps us from being all that we can be, robs us of our strength like Sampson, makes us unfit for our intended use. Let us commit ourselves to seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
Have mercy on me O God
According to Your unfailing love
According to Your great compassion
Blot out my transgression.
Have mercy on me O God
According to Your unfailing love
Wash away my iniquity
Cleanse me from my sins.
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