28 June 2010
Psalm 106:1-18; Num. 22:1-21; Rom. 6:12-23; Matt. 21:12-22

The word of the Israelites has spread here to the edge of the promised land in Moab. The king of Moab has heard of their prowess and is in fear and dread of them. His only solution is to send for Balaam to curse them in the belief that Balaam’s power is great enough to defeat this horde. Balaam, however, gets a visit from the God of the Israelites and he at least understands enough to refuse to do what God forbids. Balak, the king, has fear enough that he offers Balaam honor and wealth in order to entice him to come. Even with this prophet of Moab, the Lord holds sway until finally he is released to go under strict orders, “do only what I tell you to do.” I wonder what Balaam thought might happen, I doubt he expected what did happen.

As Jesus comes into town it is with a mission that no one would have guessed, his house-cleaning would begin not with the Romans but at the temple, throwing out the money changers and sacrificial animals who had taken up the court of the Gentiles to make some quick money during the Passover. He continued to heal all who came, which should have convinced even the skeptics but they didn’t want a Messiah, they liked it the way it was, it was working for them. The people, however, are prepared to embrace and acclaim Him. Jesus, in a clear statement of identity, refuses to stop the people from proclaiming the truth about Him. The fig tree is a parable for the Jewish nation, looking like it will produce fruit but never actually doing so.

Paul’s analogy of slavery is clear with respect to the conduct of our lives. Formerly we were slaves in the sense that we obeyed our passions and desires but these things led only to death in the end. Grace he says leads to obedience from the heart, a deeper passion and emotion than animal passion. We desire from the heart to obey God and walk according to His will. The last verse is one that we should have tattooed on our brains, the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Would that we recall that at all times of temptation. Oh yeah, that’s right, that road leads to death.

Praise the Lord!
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures for ever.
Who can utter the mighty doings of the Lord,
or declare all his praise?
Happy are those who observe justice,
who do righteousness at all times.