20 July 2011

Psalm 119:49-72; 1 Samuel 25:23-44; Acts 14:19-28; Mark 4:35-41

Abigail shows herself to be of incredibly noble character in this scene. She knows the right thing to do and does it. She is an extraordinary woman. Her words to David are prophetic and they are wise counsel. She speaks of the glory of David’s kingdom to come and warns that this is an honor killing that need not happen. She wins David over with her kindness and her counsel. When she tells her husband, Nabal, what she has done, he is paralyzed and dies soon thereafter. When David hears of Nabal’s death he does two things, he exalts the Lord in praise for what He has done in avenging the insult to David through this man and then he sends for Abigail and takes her as his wife. She is filled with joy at this prospect, a willing servant of all. We are then told of David’s other wives and we aren’t sure what to make of this polygamy nor of Saul’s giving Michal, his daughter and David’s wife, to another man. It would seem that Saul is saying that David is as good as dead.

Who indeed is this man that the wind and sea obey Him? Jesus shows the full power that lies within Him, the power that is the Word of God that created all things by speaking to the elements and they immediately and perfectly obeyed His Word. Jesus, the Word became flesh, has all that power within Him. The disciples awaken Him by referring to Him as teacher but in the end, they wonder whether He is something a good bit more than a teacher, does this word do Him justice. The same power to calm the wind and bring peace to the sea is the same power that should be seen when He speaks peace to us as well. We are the only part of creation with a will of our own, the ability to disobey God’s command. We are all strong-willed like Nabal and often our will is nothing more than folly. The question they ask Jesus here, “Don’t you care that we are perishing,” could be answered simply, “More than you know.”

The missionary journey could be looked upon as something of a failure that ended badly. It could also be seen for what it was, a first foray into Gentile territory where converts were made, God showed up and did remarkable things, Paul was persecuted and stoned, but there were churches established everywhere he went with elders to oversee the continuing work. Paul’s return to Antioch was in some ways triumphant and in some ways a place to heal from the mission. Antioch is his place of refuge, in some ways a home base from which Paul can go out to the mission field. It is important for us to have a place to heal from hurt, a place where people love us and and will encourage us to continue the work. The Lord gives us His Spirit but He also gives us His people to build us up, give us strength to carry on, and, above all, to love us, that is true Christian community.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

Tune