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The intent of Pilgrim Processing is to provide commentary on the Daily Lectionary from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. The format for the comment is Old Testament Lesson first, Gospel, and Epistle with a portion of one of the Psalms for the day as a prayer at the end.

Thursday, June 28, 2012

28 June 2012

Psalm 105:1-22; Num. 17:1-11; Rom. 5:1-11; Matt. 20:17-28 

What an incredible sign!  The staff belonging to Aaron, the stick for walking, not only buds, but flowers and brings forth ripe almonds overnight.  It has no root, no connection to nourishment at all, it isn’t possible, and yet it happens.  This is to be the once and for all sign that the Lord has chosen Aaron as the spiritual leader of the nation.  His line will be the one to provide the high priests for the nation in perpetuity.  Surely now this will put an end to the grumblings and jealousies that have beset Moses’ leadership over the past few lessons.  Odd that these particular rebellions began after two things: the naming of the other elders to help Moses and the sending of the spies isn’t it? 

Everyone wants position.  As Jesus tells them what will happen when they go to Jerusalem, the mother of James and John comes with her sons in tow and asks that they be at his right and left hand when Jesus takes the throne.  This would indicate that they were His most trusted advisors and it seems that at the last supper John was at Jesus’ side as He tipped that the one who dips in the cup with Jesus is the betrayer.  The truth is, as we see in Revelation 5 and in the Transfiguration, no one is fit to be at the right and left of Jesus, He is unique in all of heaven and earth.  Once again, Jesus is forced to explain what it means to be a leader in His kingdom, one who serves.  We continue to seek out positions for ourselves that exalt us in spite of the repeated admonition of Jesus.  It is always a temptation to be like the world. 

We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, no one else. Through Him we have obtained access to grace.  He died for the ungodly, while we were yet sinners.  We are justified by His blood, and will be saved by Him from God’s wrath.  His death reconciled us with God and His life is what saves us.  He is also the source of our rejoicing.  What position is left for us?  If the sign of Aaron’s staff was remarkable, how much more so the resurrection of Jesus?  Our place in the kingdom is worshipper and servant.  Let us carry out those two things without worrying about place and position in the church or the kingdom.

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