Thursday, October 17

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013

Jeremiah 30:1–31:26

1 Timothy 2:1–15

Psalm 87:1–7

Proverbs 25:18,19

 

 

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men – the testimony given in the proper time.  And, for this purpose, I was appointed a herald and an apostle – I am telling the truth; I am not lying – and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles.” (1 Timothy 2:1–7)

 

Several Sundays ago, Pastor Scott, Danielle, and I attended an author’s lecture in New Canaan.  Reza Aslan has recently written a polemical “exploration” of the historical Jesus, Zealot:  The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth.  Aslan’s book questions large swaths of the Gospels’ (unified) portrait of Jesus, arguing that the likely illiterate Jesus had primarily oriented his ministry on raising an unsuccessful rebellion against the Roman invasion of first-century Palestine.  During the question-and-answer session, I asked him to consider the peaceable, order-loving vision painted by Paul and Peter vs. that of the supposedly revolutionary Jesus.  His response:  The early Christians conveniently modified their story in order to blend in.

 

Still, the Gospel and the teachings of the New Testament letters present a beautiful unity.  Jesus Himself explained that “blessed are the peacemakers,/ for they will be called children of God….  Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for, in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:3,11,12)  Jesus urges His disciples to participate in the life of the Kingdom – one “not of this world.” (John 18:36)

 

Paul proposes an other-worldly type of living:  one focused on bringing a knowledge of the truth through humility, gentleness, and holiness.  It is our joy to participate in the Gospel by reflecting the glory of the Son.  We are called to responsibly seek the “seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile.  Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” (Jeremiah 29:7)  We should not shrink back from engaging the world, but rather pursue godly wisdom and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit to bring spiritual authority and influence to bear in a fallen, broken world.

 

 

“Like a bad tooth or a lame foot

                is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble.” (Proverbs 25:19)

 

What a helpful image!  In modern terms, our reliance often lies on earthly gadgets and methods:  like trusting in a soon-to-fall-apart car or a 10-year-old computer.  In contrast, we find true rest in God alone:

 

“God is our refuge and strength,

                an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way

                and the mountains fall into the heart of the seas,

though its waters roar and foam

                and the mountains quake with their surging.” (Psalm 46:1–3)

 

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