Andrew McClenaghan - Sunday, 12 December 2021
Who can Stand before God?
Scripture References: Psalms 24:1-10, Hebrews 12:18-24, John 1:1-18
Gathering Growing Going
Loading Content...
The link has been copied to your clipboard; paste it anywhere you would like to share it.
CloseStatements of fact help us understand the world around us. And Psalm 24 starts with a statement of fact: everything in this world belongs to the LORD (vs.1-2). This leads to two realisations for the original author. First, it means that there is a certain standard to come into the LORD’s presence – one cannot just wander into the presence of the LORD! (vs.3-6). Second, when the LORD comes to his world, what will happen, and what will he be like? (vs.7-10). Well, the first realisation should fill any human with despair: how can anyone reach that standard? And the second realisation will fill any human with fear: how can I face that? The result is a waiting for the LORD to come – and a question of how I – or any human – can be ready for that day.
Scripture References: Psalms 24:1-10, Hebrews 12:18-24, John 1:1-18
Related Topics: Christmas, Psalms | More Messages from Andrew McClenaghan | Download Audio
Bernard Gabbott
Genesis 146:1-10, Genesis 12:1-9, Luke 1:39-56
Andrew McClenaghan
Psalms 24:1-10
Jesus is returning to Jerusalem for the second day. Jesus is hungry – he is human. Jesus sees fig tree – but, despite its leaves, it has no fruit. Jesus curses the fig tree. Jesus is God, taking on the divine role of pronouncing judgement. This brief episode is a living example of the judgement brought by the king of God’s people returning to his mob: they have become independent, insiders not aligned with the desire of God for the outsider. They are unfruitful, and they are judged. God’s mob, however, have true fruitfulness when they recognise the authority of the king, and completely and totally depend upon him. Such dependency will change the world, because of the one they depend upon!
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?
13 Dewhurst St, Narrabri NSW 2390
Ph: (02) 6792 2151
Email: Click Here
8:30am & 10:30am each Sunday
9:30am each Sunday in January
Copyright © 2024 · Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in