Psalm 66, 67; 2 Samuel 13:1-22; Rom. 15:1-13; John 3:22-36
So begins the playing out of David’s punishment for his sin. Amnon decides he is in love with his half-sister, Tamar. When he rapes her, he is suddenly disgusted with her, hating her with a hatred that exceeded his former “love” for her. Clearly what Amnon had for Tamar was lust not love. Much of this story actually hearkens to the story of David and Bathsheba, a man of David’s own loins lusting after a woman and then in his cover-up sinning against all concerned. Tamar, as a woman, was vulnerable as her testimony would not have been believed in that culture against a man’s word. Her brother Absalom determines to act as her kinsman redeemer against Amnon but is willing to bide his time to get his revenge.
John the Baptist understands life properly. John is not jealous or envious of Jesus, does not grasp to hold onto his following or his fame as Jesus begins to attract a greater following. John understands that Jesus is greater and, even more, that we have nothing that is not given to us from above. John had learned to trust God and find contentment in whatever was given to him. In our first lesson we see Amnon as unwilling to receive from the Lord and that his determine to have by hook or crook what was denied him and the price paid by his sister and his brother for his actions. John could have slandered Jesus, could have determined to discredit him or could simply have pleaded his case that he was greater as he was actually the one who baptized Jesus but he did none of these things. Trusting the Lord and finding contentment with the lot He has given us is not an easy thing. We must seek our worth and our contentment in Him, in faithful obedience to the call He has on our lives.
Paul concludes his epistle to the church at Rome by encouraging them to live together in harmony as they await the coming again of the Lord. The most reliable way to live in harmony with other people is to set them above yourself. Paul tells them to do just that in this epistle, keeping in mind all that Jesus has done for them and the hope that calls them forward. The goal of living in harmony isn’t simply that they might not quarrel but that they might, with one voice the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In all his admonition here the purpose is always related to mission and the kingdom of God. Paul isn’t giving instructions on how to have a better human community but rather a true Christian community. It all begins with loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself.
Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
Does his successive journeys run;
His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
Till moons shall wax and wane no more.
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