Thursday, March 20

THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2014

Numbers 30:1–31:54

Luke 4:1–30

Psalm 63:1–11

Proverbs 11:20,21

 

 

Today’s passages from Luke 4 demonstrate the juxtaposition between the Lord Jesus Christ’s earthly humility and heavenly glory.  This chapter highlights His willingness to humbly take on flesh in order to fulfill the mission set out in Isaiah 61:1,2.  Compare the hungry, thirsty, and wearied Jesus of Luke 4’s temptations in the desert with this prophecy from Daniel:

 

“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven.  He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.  He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him.  His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:13,14)

 

“‘But the court will sit, and his [the king who will oppress the Most High] power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever.  Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High.  His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.’” (Daniel 7:26,27)

 

 

In Jesus’s healing and His very presence among the “least of these,” He points out God’s heart for the humble and brokenhearted.  The prophecy from Isaiah, which Jesus declares as His mission statement, involves “preach[ing] good news to the poor[,]... proclaim[ing] freedom for the prisoners/ and recovery of sight for the blind,... releas[ing] the oppressed,... [and] proclaim[ing] the year of the Lord’s favor.”  Please notice the intended recipients of His message.  He traveled to synagogues and “low places” to serve, seek, and save the lost (Luke 19:10), instead of claiming a palace and power for Himself as many had expected for the Messiah.

 

As in many cases, the economy of the Kingdom bears little (and often diametrically opposite) resemblance to the world’s economy.  Those who do seek the Lord do so from an attitude of humility.  Indeed, our pride, manifested in Satan’s rebellious standing against God, tends to elevate our view of ourselves and to place us in the position of God.  Yet, the humble will cherish His presence and will receive rich rewards:

 

                a) Psalm 34:17:  “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

 

                b) Isaiah 29:19:  “Once more the humble will rejoice in the Lord; the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.”

 

                c) Isaiah 66:2:  “‘Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?’ declares the Lord.  ‘This is the one I esteem:  he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.’”

 

                d) Matthew 5:3-5:

 

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn,

      for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

      for they will inherit the earth.”

 

 

Please note also the universality of the Gospel message.  All burdened by sin, we anxiously await “freedom for the prisoners/ and recovery of sight for the blind,” for indeed we are the prisoners and the blind.  Throughout His ministry, Jesus declared that these promises would transcend Jew and Gentile, bringing these blessings to the nations (people-groups).  His presence in Samaria and His going to Galilee vs. Judea illustrate His concern for all peoples.  Indeed, the revulsion of His hometown against Him rests partially upon His examples of God’s extended blessing to Gentile peoples in the Old Testament.  Jesus’s heart for all people stands against our jealousy, bigotry, and self-righteousness.  To join Him in disciplemaking, we must believe that He loves and has a plan for each person, best demonstrated through each individual’s very createdness.

 

 

Lord Jesus, give us the wisdom, vision, and resources to serve with You in Your awesome missions.  Grant us the courage to forego the trappings of this world and to seek to walk humbly with You.  Point out to us how we may love the least of these, as You certainly do.  We love You and desperately need Your presence in our lives, our city, our neighborhoods, our country, and among the nations.  Come, Lord Jesus!  Amen.

 

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