Psalm 121, 122, 123; 2 Samuel 18:9-18; Acts 23:12-24; Mark 11:27-12:12
Absalom’s pride ensnared him and brought about his demise. Earlier, we were told of Absalom’s great head of hair and it is clear that he was quite proud of this trait, allowing it grow for a year at a time, and the Lord used it against him to bring about his death. The scene is quite comical to think about, a man caught in a tree by the hair of his head, struggling to free himself. Joab is told of Absalom’s predicament and tells the informer that he should have killed Absalom. The man says that he would do such thing for neither love nor money as David himself had given orders that no harm should be done to his son. Joab cares not what David has ordered concerning Absalom and knows that so long as he lives there will be a threat to the king and so he takes advantage of the situation and destroys Absalom and he and the men loyal to him bury the young man under a heap of stones. Finally, we are told of Absalom’s pride in erecting a monument to himself in the Valley of the Kings. He was a young man obsessed with self, position and power.
The parable and the reception Jesus received from the chief priests and scribes go together. The leaders question Jesus’ authority to do such things as drive out the moneychangers, the implication being that this is their fiefdom. The parable tells of an incredibly arrogant people who have been given a vineyard that is already prepared for bearing fruit, protected from animals and enemies that would ravage it, all they have to do is tend the vines in order to reap the rewards. They refuse, however, to make their lease payments to the owner and instead violently treat the agents of the owner who have come to collect what is due. Ultimately the owner sends his son who is killed by the tenants. Do they believe that the son has come only because the owner is dead and that they, therefore, will now own the land outright? Immediately, everyone knows who is who in the parable and the leaders begin to make their plans.
The Jews plot to kill Paul. They have taken a vow concerning the murderous intentions they have towards the apostle that they will neither eat nor drink until they have killed him, a rash vow indeed. Fortunately, Paul’s nephew hears of the plot and tells Paul who gets word to the tribune. Why do they so hate Paul? Their belief is that he is an apostate who now preaches against Moses and the law, they have not understood either Jesus or Paul’s message about Jesus. Their perception is that he is a threat to true religion and that this threat must be destroyed. I wonder what became of their vow as they never kill Paul. The tribune ordered that Paul be transported under heavy guard, 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen and 200 spearmen and Paul is allowed a horse on which to ride, providing him with the means of getting away from an ambush such as was planned. The tribune certainly treated Paul as though he were an important prisoner. All these stories today tell us about pride and arrogance against God’s anointed, it was always so and will always be so until God’s kingdom comes.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed thy hand hath provided;
great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
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