30 March 2012

Psalm 22; Exod. 9:13-35; 2 Cor. 4:1-12; Mark 10:32-45

We skipped a few plagues.  Speaking of Egypt the Lord says, “…I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.”  It was through Joseph that Egypt became great.  They were prepared for famine and prospered through the famine and became an economic superpower.  Now, they are exalting themselves over God’s people and that will not do.  They were warned about this hail and yet did not believe.  It is the first plague where God’s people are marked out for salvation, there was no hail in the land of Goshen.  Pharaoh speaks of sin, both he and his people had sinned and begged Moses to plead for him and the people with the Lord.  Moses knew, however, that they didn’t yet fear the Lord, they still had hope in the later crops which had not been destroyed.  Moses is learning some things about human nature.  In spite of that knowledge he does pray for those who oppress the people. 

James and John are still thinking of an earthly kingdom.  Apparently they didn’t believe Jesus concerning what was going to happen in Jerusalem.  Their arrogance is quite stunning in the request and in their response to His questions.  They are also incredibly naïve concerning what this cup of suffering (see Psalm 75 for a reference to the cup) will mean, and Jesus does affirm that they will indeed know this suffering in their own lives but not yet.  They are not now prepared for such suffering, they need the assurance of the resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to prepare them to endure such things.  Not surprisingly, the other disciples are quite upset with the brothers.  Again, Jesus speaks of the path to greatness being humility and service, not exalting ourselves above others as Egypt had done.

Paul understood that Jesus’ glory and righteousness was so surpassing that there was no question of sitting at His right or left, no greatness at all left over for anyone.  He knew now the standards of good and great and such terms could not apply to anyone but Jesus.  He alone is exalted and we are as nothing in His sight.  If He didn’t love us we would be nothing at all, it is His love alone that gives us dignity and value.  Our lives have transcendent, eternal value because of that love and we will live forever because of Him.  Do we dare then exalt ourselves in any way?  Our lives are to be His, lived for His glory to be revealed in us.  Our hope is entirely in Him and our trust is in His mercy.

I will tell of your name to my brothers;
   in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
You who fear the LORD, praise him!
   All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,
   and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
For he has not despised or abhorred
   the affliction of the afflicted,
and he has not hidden his face from him,
   but has heard, when he cried to him.