Now that there is an economy there is no need to kill our
brother and conceal his blood as Cain did to Abel, there is now a profit motive
in the mix. It seems likely, however,
that Judah is talking his brothers down on the matter, lowering the temperature
in the room by suggesting the transaction.
Is this a better solution in the eyes of God or did Jesus speak about
this very thing when He equated murder and hatred? In the end, Joseph is sold for 20 shekels of
silver. Sounds a bit like Judas’ bargain
doesn’t it? Reuben’s plan we looked at
yesterday, to be the good guy with his father, is spoiled. He seems not to have been part of the whole
discussion about selling Joseph, otherwise why is he upset when he sees an
empty pit? Jacob, the one who had fooled
his father by killing goats for him to eat, now is fooled by his sons in a
similar manner. Joseph will now have
some years like his father’s years serving Laban.
Jesus’ ministry begins very quickly once He called the
disciples. After He cast out the demon
in the synagogue at Capernaum it seems that word spread rapidly about Him. The healing of Simon Peter’s mother is a
private affair but as soon as sundown
came the Sabbath was over and the people flocked to Him for healing. The temptation would certainly have been to
settle in Capernaum and let everyone come to Him but He went out early in the
morning to pray. He knows that even though
everyone is looking for Him, that isn’t the call, so they move on. The scene with the leper is one of my
favorites as Jesus stretches out His hand to touch the man to heal him. Does He need to lay hands on him? He can heal by a word and normally does but
here He touches this man who is literally untouchable but instead of Jesus
becoming unclean He makes the man clean.
Now Jesus must be in desolate places because of the crush of people
coming to Him.
It is a very strange message to talk about a man who was
crucified after being rejected by those to whom He was sent. He was their Messiah, they had all the
knowledge about God’s plans and yet they concluded He wasn’t the one and now He
is the Messiah, the savior, of all the world.
Paul says that this message was with authority and power, the two things
that Jesus displayed in Capernaum. What
was the demonstration of power in Corinth to which Paul refers? Jesus was crucified for jealousy, even though
He was clearly a man He claimed equality with God, setting Himself above the
scribes and Pharisees. When Paul speaks
of the secret wisdom of God He is speaking of the truth about Jesus, the truths
that we confess in the Creed in our worship each week, that even though Jesus
was in the form of a man, He was indeed of one being with the Father and the
resurrection is our proof. Our witness
to Jesus always relies on the Spirit in us and the Spirit communicating and
revealing truth to the other, prayer is always a necessity, asking Him to do
the real work.
Remember your word to
your servant,
in which you have made me hope.
This is my comfort in my affliction,
that your promise gives me life.
in which you have made me hope.
This is my comfort in my affliction,
that your promise gives me life.
The earth, O LORD, is
full of your steadfast love;
teach me your statutes!
teach me your statutes!
No comments:
Post a Comment