Psalm 140, 142; 2 Samuel 19:24-43; Acts 24:24-25:12; Mark 12:35-44
David returns as the conquering hero and is welcomed as king of all the people. Mephibosheth comes to greet David and is questioned as to his loyalties and the words his servant has spoken. Based on his appearance, it seems likely that he is telling the truth concerning his love for David, if he wanted to be king it would certainly be an odd thing to neglect your personal appearance as though in mourning. David determines to divide the land allotted to the son of Jonathan rather than sort this out in a trial. David also picks up another mouth to feed, the servant of Barzillai to whom David repays the kindness Barzillai showed to David. Finally, the Israelites complain that they have been left out of the victory march even though they were the first to call for David’s restoration, their claim is that while David may be a son of the tribe of Judah, he is above all that a son of Jacob and therefore the family is united in him.
Jesus argues that the Messiah is greater than David not simply a child of David. The basis is that David could hardly refer to Him as Lord if Messiah were David’s ancestor. Messiah must necessarily precede David in some way for David to call Him Lord. From there Jesus warns against those who would be leaders who seek not to serve but for honor. A fuller exposition on this theme awaits the Last Supper when Jesus washes the feet of His disciples. Leadership in the kingdom is a different thing from leadership in the world and we need to be careful about this issue of celebrity leaders. Finally, Jesus speaks of greatness in the kingdom using the widow’s mite as His example. Greatness in the kingdom is when someone trusts the Lord completely with no reserves on which to rely. I am blessed to know several whose greatness is seen in this way.
When Paul speaks here to Felix and his wife Drusilla about righteousness and self-control it is personal. This Drusilla is a Jewish woman who was induced to divorce her Jewish husband to marry up in the system to Felix. She has transgressed in the divorce and remarriage to someone outside the Jewish faith. No wonder Felix sends Paul away. If he was expecting a bribe he was sorely disappointed. Paul is subject to Felix on earth but they are subject to God in all things and Paul weighs his duties carefully in calling sin what it is. For two years Paul is kept under house arrest until the new governor, Festus, comes whereupon the Jews press their case. The Jews want Paul tried in ecclesiastical court but they have made civil claims so Paul appeals to civil authority, in his case as a Roman citizen, to Caesar. Festus is off the hook and to Rome Paul will go. Paul is trusting the Lord that His will is going to be done and his citizenship is the key to getting to Rome as the Lord promised him.
Nor shall fail from memory's treasure
works by love and mercy wrought,
works of love surpassing measure,
works of mercy passing thought.
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