Mattew 12:15-21 God's Chosen Servant

Jesus is God’s chosen servant that Isaiah prophesied about (Is.42). The identity of this servant is at times the nation of Israel and at other times the Messiah sent to them. Many see the dual allusion as God’s way of stating his unfulfilled purposes with Israel as a nation requiring the Messiah as the ultimate Israel for its accomplishment. This chosen servant is described as the beloved of God as in Jesus’ baptism (Mat.3:13-17). He is the one upon whom the Spirit of God rests (Luke 4:18) to proclaim justice to the whole world, not just the Jew. This servant will not fight or use violence to get his way. On the contrary, he will suffer violence. People will not pay attention to him. But he will pay attention to the abused and be compassionate towards them. His ultimate purpose is to establish God’s justice upon the earth for all people. He is our only hope.

Jesus is the only hope of humanity to fulfill God’s purposes and plans. The one who was denied justice came to establish God’s justice upon the earth. The one who suffered violence came to establish peace on earth. The one who was bruised until disfigured came to bring healing for our lives. There is within me a sense of justice that wants to right wrongs right away. But the kingdom of God calls me to trust in God’s timing and leave ultimate justice to be executed by his hand. There is no amount of fury and anger that can make things better. And taking justice in my own hands is not going to improve upon things. God does not want any vigilantes in his kingdom! Jesus is our only hope.

In Jesus we have example. This side of heaven, we must not think that violence will establish God’s kingdom any faster. We must be peacemakers and proclaim justice with humility. While the world may not pay attention to us, we must pay attention to the abused and neglected as we are moved by compassion. The call for compassion is not limited to people who look like us, but the whole world. Let’s embrace all people. Let us be reminded that as we labor, we await the full establishment of God’s kingdom upon the earth. There is no one who can do that but our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is our hope!

Father, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Grant me patience to see your justice fully established upon the earth. While I wait, teach me to forgive and live in peace in the midst of a violent world filled with injustice.

Joshua 13 Inheritance East of the Jordan

The book of Joshua makes a turn from Conquest to Allotment. Joshua was advanced in years and it was time to retire him from military duty. The allotment highlights three very important changes in the life of Israel. Firstly, Israel is finally to enjoy God's promise of rest. Secondly, Israel is not to depend on Joshua anymore to drive the enemies out of the land. Each tribe is to take responsibility for their own territory. Thirdly, the inheritance of the Levites is not land, but God himself.

The promises of God have come to be realized in the life of Israel. The promises given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob have finally materialized. The people God called out of slavery have become masters of a fruitful and prosperous land. Israel can now enjoy God's promised rest. Like Israel, I enjoy the fulfillment of God's promises in Christ. Every possible blessing is mine in him. The rest my soul needed, is finally mine thanks to the conquests of my Lord. Also, I look forward to the ultimate fulfillment of his promise of establishing his kingdom upon the earth. One day, I will participate in the allotment of the whole earth for God's people.

Israel's dependence on Joshua must come to and end. The work must continue under the direction and guidance of the leaders of each tribe. Israel needed to understand that the establishment of God's kingdom upon the earth is not dependent on human leaders, but on God using a multitude of leaders throughout their history. This is a valuable lesson for me. I am not indispensable in the kingdom of God. God's work will continue with or without me. I must never place a leader on a pedestal because my God is the one who works for me. There will always be a team of leaders to work on the establishment of God's kingdom upon the earth.

The Levite's inheritance is not a piece of land, but God himself. Their story is the story of redemption. Levi had been cursed by Jacob because of murder. But God, by grace, forgave past sins and called his descendants to serve him. They were to be provided by the other tribes. Their rest is not dependent on a piece of land, but on their relationship with God. This is the true rest that God promises every Christian. The Levites foreshadow the promises for me. I am part of a royal priesthood. My rest is in God!

Dear God, fill my heart with hope. May your promises continue to be fulfilled in my life. May I look forward to those promises that are yet to be fulfilled. Help me keep my eyes on you and depend on you all of my days.

Matthew 27:27-44 Jesus is Mocked

The soldiers of the governor took Jesus to prepare him for his crucifixion. They stripped him of his clothes and dressed him in scarlet. Gave him a reed for a scepter and thorns for a crown. Over 100 men gathered around for the spectacle. As they knelt down before him, they spit on his face, beat him with the reed, and mocked him saying: "Hail, King of the Jews!" The King of kings suffered insult, injury, and mockery. 

The presence of evil and hatred in the world is a reality we cannot ignore. If Jesus, the Son of God, suffered in the hands of men; if the Creator of the universe was beaten by his creatures; if the Healer of our infirmities was beaten and abused, why am I surprised by the persecution against the children of God around the world? Evil, injustice, and suffering reign in this world. The hope of the kingdom of God is a renewed people in a renewed world under the reign of a just and holy ruler where justice, peace, and love reign forever. That's my hope! I can't wait!

Crucifixion was one of the cruelest means of Roman execution. It is believed that hanging on the cross caused the body to slump making it difficult to breathe. To be able to catch his breath, the prisoner had to push with his feet (nailed) and legs causing great pain. Once again, the body would slump and make breathing difficult until the prisoner died either of asphyxiation, bleeding due to the scourging, or trauma caused by the beatings. Jesus suffered the cruelest of deaths and the most humiliating of executions. The giving of wine with gall (bitter herb) was a mockery upon mockery. He was able to get down, but his love for me kept him there. He took my place and paid the penalty for my sin. Amazing love!

Suffering is a bad word for me. I shrink from it and I don't want to even think about it. But suffering is not without a purpose. If God was able to use one of the cruelest and most humiliating of executions for the greatest work of salvation for all humanity, who am I to shrink back from suffering? This is precisely the way that the kingdom of darkness has been upset - that God takes the most vile and evil acts and turns them into the most redeeming, fruitful, and growing experiences in life. My God works on my behalf in the worst of circumstances!

Lord, even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me! Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven! I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love all the days of my life.