Psalm 31; 1 Kings 11:26-43; James 4:13-5:6; Mark 15:22-32
This scene with Jeroboam and Abijah is eerily reminiscent of the confrontation between Saul and Samuel in 1 Samuel 15 when Saul seizes the robe of Samuel and it tears. Samuel says this is like what will happen to you, Saul, the kingdom will be torn from your hand. Here, because of Solomon’s apostasy, the Lord sends the prophet Abijah to meet Jeroboam on the road and he uses a torn garment to speak prophetically concerning the kingdom’s future. The Lord will keep covenant with David because of his righteousness and faithfulness but the kingdom will be divided and weakened because of Solomon’s failure to keep the covenant. Jeroboam has the opportunity to enter a new covenant with the Lord who is giving him the kingdom, if he will keep the covenant and be obedient to His commands, the Lord will establish his throne over these tribes. Nevertheless, the Lord will keep covenant with David, in spite of Solomon’s unfaithfulness, the Lord is faithful to the covenant, remembering David’s faithfulness. We receive that same faithfulness based not on our faithfulness but the Father keeps covenant with us for the faithfulness of Jesus.
They propose a sign, “Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe." He could have done so but He had promised another sign, the sign of Jonah who was three days in the belly of the fish and then returned to life. He had to persevere to the end in obedience to the will of the Father if His life was to have eternal meaning. He had more in mind than their believing in Him as the Christ, the King of Israel, He had in mind their salvation and so He finished the work He had been given to do. They, and we, needed Him to remain on the cross, obedient and faithful to the end and because He did, the covenant is secure, and our plea is based on His covenant faithfulness.
Every day and everything we have are gifts from the Lord. We should greet each day as a precious gift as it is indeed, as James indicates, not promised to us. Today, this hour, could be our last so we need to indeed seize the day and make the most of each day, not delaying to do what is required of us as we do not know if we will have another chance. What is it that God is calling you to do or say that you are avoiding or waiting to do? James also reminds the wealthy that their wealth has become a snare and it is a gift from the Lord, they can use it for things of earth or things of heaven and his judgment is that they have used it for earthly treasure and his call is for social justice. How much is enough? Are we faithful stewards of our time, talent and treasure? Eternal security is based on Jesus’ faithfulness but we too will be judged and we need to be prepared to hear and see where we have failed Him.
Jesus, Thou Friend divine,
Our Savior and our King,
Thy hand from every snare and foe
Shall great deliverance bring.
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