25 June 2010
Psalm 107:33-43, 108; Num. 20:14-29; Rom. 6:1-11; Matt. 21:1-11

Edom, remember, is another word for Esau. The Edomites were kith and kin to the Israelites and yet the old animosity remained between them. Jacob/Israel had stolen both birthright and blessing from their ancestor and Moses’ appeal to their common ancestry was not successful in securing safe passage. The old wound had not healed between the two tribes. Not only would they not allow Israel to pass through, they came out against them to make sure they didn’t try. The old sin of Cain, fratricide, looms large here. Aaron who has served well in his role as priest since he made the huge mistake with the golden calves is now removed from office because of his part in Moses’ sin at Meribah. He will not be allowed to enter the land but the mercy of God is that his sin is not imputed to his son who is allowed to take his father’s place as the high priest.

The prophetic word of Zechariah is fulfilled intentionally here as a sign to the people. They receive Jesus with gladness as if He were king. Hopes must surely have been high that this Passover might see the fulfillment of all prophecy concerning the king and the restoration of Jerusalem to its promised prominence. The scene along the route into town must have disturbed the religious rulers and the Romans at some level. The people are ascribing to Jesus great expectations as the savior. Hosanna means Lord save us and as he comes in the Name of the Lord, they believe that He will indeed be the savior of the nation. So He will, but not in the way they expect, His salvation will be far greater than anyone could have expected.

What are the implications of Christ’s finished work for us? Does it mean that since we have received mercy and grace we no longer have fear and therefore can now indulge the fleshly desires? It means that what we might formerly have done in order to avoid punishment is now a way of life because of two things, loving response to grace and a renewed body and soul that no longer indulges those desires because it sees them as sin. That does not mean that we will perfectly live according to God’s law, we continue to sin but now we make our confession of sin boldly, not making excuses for sin but confessing to the one who has died for us and through whom we receive pardon for sin. I would rather be pardoned than excused because then we have both acknowledge real wrong was done and relationship harmed. Alive in Christ means alive in the Spirit of Christ to live according to the Spirit rather than the flesh.

I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples,
and I will sing praises to you among the nations.
For your steadfast love is higher than the heavens,
and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,
and let your glory be over all the earth.