Welcome

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.

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

31 December 2013




What would be your response if God spoke to you and offered to grant your heart's desire?  Solomon already pretty much had everything you could want to have as far as material things are concerned and he was also king so power wasn't an issue either.  If you take those off the table what could he want?  He could want more of both things and power, that is actually what most people would want.  His kingdom could be bigger and he could have palaces all over the place, and he would have those things.  He was feeling overwhelmed by responsibility.  Listen to him, "I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in.  And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude."  He knew he needed wisdom, the same thing Moses needed when he tried to lead God's people.  Moses had the tent of meeting to meet with God and talk, Solomon asked for something else when he asked for wisdom, something like taking my mind and infusing it with the ability to think clearly and to know intuitively the right thing to do.  You have that wisdom by the power of the indwelling Spirit.  He desires to give that to you today and you're not even a king.  You're his precious child.

Jesus is the light of the world and if you are following Him you will be walking in light and not darkness, you will have true wisdom.  Is it any wonder the Pharisees question that statement?  Their response is more or less, who do you think you are, we are going to need a bit better testimony than just your say-so to accept that as true.  Jesus makes it basic for them, they have no idea where He came from or where He is going and He knows those things, they judge by the flesh.  All this sounds like the conversation He had with Nicodemus back in John 3 that left that Pharisee befuddled.  Nicodemus, however, kept his eye on Jesus and in the end, after His crucifixion, went to claim the body with Joseph of Arimathea, he knew not to judge by the flesh and his reward was great.  The wisdom the world has to offer is limited in a way God's wisdom is not. 

What had all of Paul's learning gotten him?  "Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer."  He made a mistake concerning Jesus of cosmic and eternal significance and if Jesus hadn't chosen to reveal Himself to Him on the road to Damascus he would have died in his sin and ignorance.  He had learning but that learning didn't help him know the truth, the real truth about all things.  Paul thought Jesus a heretic and blasphemer who got his rightful reward for leading the people astray when He died on the cross until that day he heard the voice from heaven say, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting."  Now, He knows that in that death Jesus was reconciling sinners to Himself, he has the right perspective on both Jesus and the cross.  Pray for those who persecute or oppose you, they need wisdom.  Thank Him for revealing truth to you and giving you wisdom.

No comments: