Psalm 131, 132; Zeph. 3:1-13; 1 Pet. 2:11-25; Matt. 20:1-16
Zephaniah does not spare Jerusalem simply because she is the city of God. There is perhaps an expectation of greater responsibility because she is chosen. It is not enough to take the name of the Lord, to be a priest, to be a prophet or even to simply be a Jew. Righteousness and justice are more important than religious activity or religious titles. Not only are the people of God included in the judgment against unrighteousness, the nations have hope, the Lord’s mercy will reach beyond the borders of Israel. Those who are spared will be also made new, they will be changed into His true people.
Is there anyone who reads this parable and doesn’t feel that after all those laborers hired first do have a complaint of some sort even though they were chosen and hired and paid exactly what they agreed to take for a day’s labor? It seems unfair but it is only because we lack a true appreciation of our own need for mercy and grace. We have come to the place where we believe ourselves to be at some level deserving rather than recipients of grace. We must always fight against that tendency as we seek to become like Him. In truth, the more we earnestly and honestly seek that the more we recognize the great gulf between us and true righteousness and we will find ourselves seeking not reward but more grace and more mercy. The more we know of holiness the more we see the need of grace from His endless supply.
Peter urges the church to live so that no one may speak evil of them. They are to love one another and to be good citizens according to human standards as well. In obedience to the emperor and governors they are acknowledging the sovereignty of God in all things so our obedience to earthly rulers is subjection to Him. Jesus has given us the perfect example of how to live this life even if it reveals to us that the world doesn’t appreciate or recognize what it means to be truly human. Humanity had a higher destiny and value than we currently see and we are to restore that dignity and destiny knowing that persecution will come. We have a great responsibility to the Lord vis a vis the world. We are to show it the true way to live.
Let us praise, and join the chorus
Of the saints enthroned on high;
Here they trusted Him before us,
Now their praises fill the sky:
“Thou hast washed us with Your blood;
Thou art worthy, Lamb of God!”
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