December 5, 2009

December 5, 2009
Psalm 20, 21:1-7(8-14); Amos 5:18-27; Jude 17-25; Matt. 22:15-22

Often my prayer is, “Come quickly, Lord Jesus.” This prophetic word reminds me that the prayer is not without content. The day of the Lord is for judgment on the earth and the destruction of all things in order that the new creation can come into being. It is, quite literally, a purgation of all that is sinful. This passage contains a quote familiar to many Americans of a certain age, Martin Luther King spoke the words, “let justice roll down like waters” in the speech where he laid out his dream of a new America. This is a call to action, the establishment of what we would pray for, “your kingdom come.” It is a call to establish justice and righteousness and peace.

Flattery didn’t work any better for the Pharisees with Jesus than innumerable sacrifices did with God in the time of Amos. What a ridiculous preface to their little test, you are since, speak the truth, show deference to no one, you don’t regard anyone with partiality. His answer leaves them speechless. Can you imagine being one of the disciples and watching this exchange? Do you think the Pharisees caught the analogy using the word image? What belongs to God is that which bears His image. We worry more about the tithe of money than we do the whole of life.

Jude warns against worldliness, living in accord with the lusts of the flesh rather than living by the Spirit. Divisions in the church rarely have to do with spiritual things it seems and nothing has changed. We can spiritualize anything though and therefore justify our desires on spiritual grounds. The antidote is to keep our focus on Jesus, to seek the Lord and to do His will and other things will generally lose their import.

Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength!
We will sing and praise your power.