28 April 2010
Psalm 119:49-72; Exod. 33:1-23; 1 Thess. 2:1-12; Matt. 5:17-20

The Lord shows favor to Moses, clearly marking him out as the leader of the people. The time he spent with the Lord in the tent of meeting was necessary for the leader. It is important that we spend time alone with the Lord in order to wisely lead, drawing on the wisdom gained from this time. The people saw clearly that the presence of the Lord was in the tent and that Moses had gained favor with the Lord. Moses knows too that the presence of the Lord was necessary for the people if they were to go up to the land, what made them special in all the world wasn’t the promise of the land or the events in Egypt but this presence of God in their midst. Moses had intimacy with the Lord but he sought more in a glimpse of His face. That request was denied but the Lord granted him a special moment. Are we seeking more intimacy with the Lord or are we satisfied with our relationship?

This teaching of Jesus on righteousness had to be somewhat depressing to hear. The scribes and Pharisees defined righteousness under the law, their lives were built on the law and what they considered to be scrupulous observance of the law. To indicate that the real demands of the law were greater than these groups imagined or kept would have left no hope for most people. Jesus validates the law by saying that all of it will be fulfilled, by Him. That is indeed a bold claim and invites those who hear it to watch and inspect His manner of life to see if indeed He is righteous as He claims. Little did they know that He was fulfilling all righteousness on their behalf so that He could be the once and for all sacrifice acceptable to God for sin.

Paul reminds the Thessalonians of several things here. First, his motives are pure, there was no trickery or deceit in his message, he is not motivated by people-pleasing but only to please God, he received no monetary benefits from his message, he make his own living among them. Second, his manner of life among them was pure, upright and blameless. Third, Paul describes his loving concern for them by comparing it with that of a nurse caring for her own children in gentleness and as a father with his children, urging, encouraging and pleading with them to grow up to be all they can be. Relationship matters in the leading of God’s people, we don’t lead from outside, we lead from within from love for the Lord as our motivation and love for His people as we catch the vision of mission.

You have dealt well with your servant,
O LORD, according to your word.
Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
for I believe in your commandments.