Phil Firth - Sunday, 2 April 2023
Being disciples together
Scripture References: Matthew 18:1-14, Psalms 14:1-7, Philippians 2:1-8
Gathering Growing Going
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Close“I am the greatest”. You probably know who made that statement. In his usual understated way, Mohammed Ali made this claim in February 1964, before one of his fights with Sonny Liston for the Heavyweight Boxing title of the world. He seems to have been generally applauded for it. In Matthew’s Gospel today, the question that immediately draws our attention is similar to Ali’s. “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Is this a question that should be occupying the disciples? Most of us won’t be “great” in worldly terms. But many of us want to do something significant in this world. The disciples’ question gives Jesus the opportunity to remind the disciples (and us) about how to gain entry into His kingdom and to also teach His disciples about what is valued in His kingdom. Importantly, Jesus does not stop there. He goes on to talk about how the members of His kingdom are to relate to each other as they live as His disciples. If we are to be true members of His kingdom, true disciples, we need to listen and learn as our King speaks.
Scripture References: Matthew 18:1-14, Psalms 14:1-7, Philippians 2:1-8
Related Topics: Matthew | More Messages from Phil Firth | Download Audio
The psalms were written across the history of God’s people. But they were composed as God’s people returned from the Exile. And Psalm 107 poses this question: what were the words on their lips? At the heart of their time under judgement was their coming to know two truths: only the LORD rescues because only the LORD transforms. And this meant that they could return with thanks on their lips and in their hearts – because of the LORD’s work. Jesus himself knew this truth, lived this truth, sang this psalm. And this means we can, too. And so, what words are on your lips today?
On first reading, it seems fair to ask why Lamentations 4? It’s a fair question to ask because, for the most part, the poet simply rehashes chapters 1-3. But upon further meditation on the poem, one comes to appreciate its value for God’s people in helping them process and respond rightly to his judgement in repentance and faith. In his judgment against Judah, God is not only reversing their fortunes but also restoring their hope in Him alone.
‘I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of God’s wrath’ (Lam.3:1). In the third poem of lament, we hear from the poet himself – and his description is striking. He is a man. He is obviously in the middle of this tragedy. He has experienced it personally, and yet he also seems to speak representatively. Who is this man? I think it is most likely Jeremiah – the prophet who had laboured for 40 years calling God’s people back. And he did experience all this personally (just compare Jeremiah 38 with Lam.3:52-57) – and so, he can also speak representatively. As he experiences the immense dissonance of, for example, the ‘rod’ of God that guides him safely (remember Ps.23:4) through the ‘valley of the shadow of death’ which now brings affliction, where does he turn? What does he consider? Jeremiah turns to the bedrock theological truths of the LORD – and so, he waits patiently on Him, and trusts that His ‘faithful love’ will bring deliverance.
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