Larry Devich
Friday, August 11, 2006
Friday in the 9th week of Pentecost
Daily readings
Joshua 4:19-5:1, 10-15
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 26:17-25
In Joshua 5 is a scene that I've heard is an appearance of the second person of the Trinity, of the preincarnate Jesus as the Commander of the armies of the LORD. From my reading of this passage the only thing that would make you think that is the fact that Joshua fell down and worshiped him and the Commander of the armies of the LORD did not stop him but told him he was on Holy ground. This passage does some considerable damage to my image of Jesus as pacifist doesn't it? :-) To say nothing of his coming in glory on the last day as describe in Revelation! I have slowly been coming around to a more Lutheran view of the issues involved in governments and wars. I am still convinced that war ought only to be defensive in nature but I have finally realized that in this fallen world they are, while evil, still necessary.
This is followed up by Romans where Paul sounds like a pacifist again :-)
Here is today's Higher Things reflection:
Hmmm…it sure didn’t seem that I was very prosperous when I got a “C-” in chemistry. I didn’t prosper when I faded out of Boy Scouts before I would have earned “Life” and had enough excitement to press on toward “Eagle.” And it sure didn’t feel like I prospered when female friends said, “You’re so sweet and you’re so nice; I just want us to remain friends.”
On the other hand, when was the last time you or I perfectly avoided all ill advice from non-Christians, or went with the crowd because it was the easier path to take? “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.” At first glance, Psalm 1 appears to be saying: “If you avoid corruption and choose to follow God, you will prosper.
Not so, dear friends in Christ! That is the message of misguided media messengers of another “gospel.” The Lord promises no such thing.
Remember Whose psalms these are. These are the prayers and hymns of Christ Himself! These are His words, proclaiming that He truly does not “walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers.” And so it is Jesus, of Whom we can say, “In all that He does, He prospers.”
But hold on – what about the cross? He avoided the counsel of the wicked, “His delight is in the Instruction of the Lord,” but how can you say His execution was prospering?
Simply put, the cross was where Jesus’ true prospering occurred. At that moment in history, He was giving victory over sin, death, and the devil to all who are brought to The Way – Jesus Himself!
True prosperity does not come with gold or glamour, popularity or political victory. True prosperity was won through the once-and-for-all sacrifice of our Lord on His cross. True prosperity was given to us in the washing of Holy Baptism. True prosperity is continually delivered through His absolution, preaching, and Blessed Sacrament. True prosperity will be complete when we see Jesus face to face in Paradise! ¶ 8/11/2006 07:30:00 AM 0 Comments
Joshua 4:19-5:1, 10-15
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 26:17-25
In Joshua 5 is a scene that I've heard is an appearance of the second person of the Trinity, of the preincarnate Jesus as the Commander of the armies of the LORD. From my reading of this passage the only thing that would make you think that is the fact that Joshua fell down and worshiped him and the Commander of the armies of the LORD did not stop him but told him he was on Holy ground. This passage does some considerable damage to my image of Jesus as pacifist doesn't it? :-) To say nothing of his coming in glory on the last day as describe in Revelation! I have slowly been coming around to a more Lutheran view of the issues involved in governments and wars. I am still convinced that war ought only to be defensive in nature but I have finally realized that in this fallen world they are, while evil, still necessary.
This is followed up by Romans where Paul sounds like a pacifist again :-)
Here is today's Higher Things reflection:
“In all that he does, he prospers.” (Psalm 1:3)
Hmmm…it sure didn’t seem that I was very prosperous when I got a “C-” in chemistry. I didn’t prosper when I faded out of Boy Scouts before I would have earned “Life” and had enough excitement to press on toward “Eagle.” And it sure didn’t feel like I prospered when female friends said, “You’re so sweet and you’re so nice; I just want us to remain friends.”
On the other hand, when was the last time you or I perfectly avoided all ill advice from non-Christians, or went with the crowd because it was the easier path to take? “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.” At first glance, Psalm 1 appears to be saying: “If you avoid corruption and choose to follow God, you will prosper.
Not so, dear friends in Christ! That is the message of misguided media messengers of another “gospel.” The Lord promises no such thing.
Remember Whose psalms these are. These are the prayers and hymns of Christ Himself! These are His words, proclaiming that He truly does not “walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers.” And so it is Jesus, of Whom we can say, “In all that He does, He prospers.”
But hold on – what about the cross? He avoided the counsel of the wicked, “His delight is in the Instruction of the Lord,” but how can you say His execution was prospering?
Simply put, the cross was where Jesus’ true prospering occurred. At that moment in history, He was giving victory over sin, death, and the devil to all who are brought to The Way – Jesus Himself!
True prosperity does not come with gold or glamour, popularity or political victory. True prosperity was won through the once-and-for-all sacrifice of our Lord on His cross. True prosperity was given to us in the washing of Holy Baptism. True prosperity is continually delivered through His absolution, preaching, and Blessed Sacrament. True prosperity will be complete when we see Jesus face to face in Paradise! ¶ 8/11/2006 07:30:00 AM 0 Comments
