Bernard Gabbott - Sunday, 23 July 2023
Simple Last Words
Scripture References: Malachi 4:4-6, Psalms 27:1-14, Matthew 17:1-13
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CloseIn three simple verses, Malachi rounds out his prophecy in simple summary. God’s word is clear! God’s mob are to remember who they are: they are a covenantal people, with an identity found in the God who graciously loves them relentlessly. God’s mob are to be reminded: a day is coming when the sin in, and of, God’s mob will be judged. God will prepare them for that day, sending a prophet to them, a prophet like Elijah. As they listen to this word from God, God’s mob will be restored in repentance: they will be brought back to the covenant, or they will be completely devoted to destruction. This really did take place – why else would Jesus be affirmed in His identity by the presence of Moses and Elijah? (Matt.17) Therefore, this really applies to us: as God’s mob, we must remember our identity, we must be reminded of the great day of sin judged (at Golgotha and in the future), and we must be a repentant restored people, obeying our God.
Scripture References: Malachi 4:4-6, Psalms 27:1-14, Matthew 17:1-13
Related Topics: Minor Prophet, Repentance | More Messages from Bernard Gabbott | Download Audio
Jesus has finally made it to Jerusalem. As Matthew prepares us for His entry into Jerusalem, he helps us confront Jesus’ authority, and the way in which it restores the concern of God for the outsider, and confronts the insider. This is the start of the Passover week. Jerusalem is a roiling maelstrom of religious and political fervour. And Matthew organises the narrative of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem around displays of His authority, rooted in recognition of His ‘old power’ – four Old Testament quotations structure the passage. As we come face-to-face with Jesus’ authority, three truths stand out. First, Jesus’ authority is extensive and all-encompassing. Second, Jesus’ authority is for the outsider, and rooted in God’s deep commitment to bring the outsider inside His kingdom. And, third, Jesus authority confronts the insider, and urges them to repentance. Come and meet Jesus, the King, in all His authority, as He enters Jerusalem!
What is greatness? In particular, what is greatness in the kingdom of God? That is the question addressed in the passage from Matthew today. Jesus is approached by two different groups. First, the family of Zebedee: James and John and their mother. Second, two blind men. Jesus asks both groups the same question “What do you want me to do for you?” What they request is quite revealing. And so is Jesus’ response to their requests. The Zebedees request position, status, reward for effort. The blind men request mercy, for their eyes to be open. Which request lines up with Jesus’ teaching previously? Which request do we tend to go to ourselves?
The Department of Home Affairs has an Australian Values Statement on its website. Visa applicants for residency/citizenship must sign this. And one of its key principles is that we are a ‘fair-go’ country. We would all agree with that. I suspect, too, that we would summarise our ‘fair go’ culture by stating that ‘you get what you deserve/what you work for’. In fact, many of us have established our relational, social and work ethics on this very principle. But is that what the ‘kingdom of heaven is like’? What is its value statement? What is the hallmark of such a kingdom, and its ruler, even its citizenship? Today, after Jesus has assured his disciples that the dependent will be provided for by their king, he now uses the same ideas to issue with them a warning not to abuse, misuse, ignore or become entitled in the face of the kingdom of heaven hallmark—which is grace.
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