Scripture and Observation:
Joseph brings his family to Egypt and presents five of the men before Pharaoh. They all agree to settle Israel in Goshen. The famine continued and only Joseph had food. All of Egypt sold their money, livestock, land and selves to the Pharaoh for food. When the famine was over, the Pharaoh owned everything and everyone. They paid 20% of their profits to Pharaoh.
Jacob has become old and is dying. Joseph brings his sons to be blessed. In keeping with family tradition, it seems, Jacob places Joseph’s younger son, Ephraim over the elder, Manasseh.
This is a prayer for justice. Why does God not seem to be present? Why does the wicked prosper and have success in preying on the week. He denies God and cannot see God’s judgments. He is bold and brash in his attacks, thinking that nothing will oppose him. But God does hear the humble who have committed themselves to Him and He is King forever and ever!
When Jesus was passing through Jericho, Zaccheus, the chief tax collector wanted to see Jesus. Since he was short, he climbed a tree to better see him. Jesus stopped and called to him, saying that Jesus was going to Zaccheus’ house that day. Zaccheus happily welcomed him and told him that he was going to five half of his possessions to the poor and repay four times as much to anyone he defrauded. Jesus said his household was saved. Onlookers grumbled about Jesus spending time with a sinner.
Jesus tells the parable of a master who gives mina to three servants before traveling to get a kingdom. On his return he checks in with the three servants. The first produces ten mina and is praised and rewarded with ten cities. The second offers up five minas and is rewarded with five cities. The final servant had kept the mina in a kerchief, afraid of the master. The master says that he will judge the servant by the third servant’s own words: he is tough, he reaps from where he does not sow. His mina is given to the one with then cities. Then he calls forth those who did not want him as king to be killed.
Jesus rides a colt into Jerusalem. The people shout ‘blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord, Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Pharisees tell Jesus to quiet them and Jesus says that if the people do not praise, then the rocks would. Jesus predicts the fall of Jerusalem. Then he goes into the temple and throws out the traders and sellers, saying the house of prayer is a den of thieves.
Application and Prayer:
Once again the cultural tradition of the firstborn birthright is defied. God chooses whom He will choose as He sees fit, not according to our own cultural definitions of worthiness. He judges the heart, he calls and equips. It is not for us to question, but to be ready to answer the call when it comes. Lord, help me to be a willing servant. Free me from that which will bind me so that I am ready to run when you call.
It is so easy to believe that ‘nice guys finish last.’ There is evidence that the ruthless do win. But we must remember that we haven’t yet seen the end. We are in the middle of the story—the rising action. We have time to choose now. But the climax will come, when sides are already chosen and we will see God’s justice served. Then it will be too late to re-assess. Every knee will bow down and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. the only question is if we will confess it in triumph or in horror. Lord, I pray for those who have not yet chosen you. Please let them not be fooled. Let them not confuse your mercy as inaction over wickedness. We know you will act one day. Please save us all!
Thank you for Zaccheus’ heart. His cheerful and immediate response to Who You are is an example to everyone. You come for each of us to have salvation. Let us recognize our need, our sins that pull us down. Help us to cheerfully, with eyes wide open, abandon our wicked ways and hold tightly to You with both hands! Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!