Eli couldn't see but he could still perceive. Why does the boy Samuel not know the Lord and
why had the word of the Lord not been revealed to him? It would seem that we have further evidence
of Eli's failure to do as the Lord had commanded in teaching the children. Samuel hears the Lord speaking but believes
it is Eli calling him until Eli finally understands the situation and tells him
to simply ask the Lord to speak and he, Samuel, will listen. How horrible for this boy to hear the
destruction of the house of his mentor.
He was, however, faithful with the word of the Lord to tell it to Eli
without adornment. Eli is now resigned
to his fate and respects the will of the Lord even if it means terrible things
for him. It is indeed a sad thing to
hear that the judgment against him is final.
Jesus announces the destruction of the temple and with it,
the end of the priesthood as it had been established. Sacrifice is possible only in the place God
chooses, the temple in Jerusalem, so the worship of the people is ended. They still have the synagogue movement which
is, in many ways, similar to our own Christian worship, primarily studying the
Word of God and praying. There is no
reason to sacrifice so such would be an abomination to the Lord as a rejection
of Jesus' sacrifice. They can no longer
put trust in the system that made forgiveness of sins possible so how can God
forgive? The sacrifice has already been
made on that cross. Jesus promises it
will be difficult but if they trust in Him and the Spirit they will find their
way through all that will happen. Can
you imagine how devastating it would be to have the temple destroyed and now a
Muslim place of worship in its place?
What does it mean is followed by what shall we do. They have heard Peter's word, received it,
perceived what it means to have rejected Messiah and crucified Him and now they
want to know how to go forward in light of that reality. Is there a way forward when you have done
such things? Yes, Peter says, repent of
that sin and be baptized in the Name of Jesus and you will be saved and you
will also receive the Holy Spirit. Can
God possibly be as gracious as all that?
The truth is too amazing to be true isn't it, God will forgive you for
crucifying His beloved Son, His appointed savior through the very blood of His
sacrifice and will give you His own spirit.
Now we don't need a temple, we are the temple where His glory
resides. How can we not share this truth
with the world? How can we not praise
Him?
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