Who Builds the Church?
Sunday, 9 January 2022 by
Gathering Growing Going
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CloseLast week, in Psalm 1, we joined with God’s people in seeing where the good life lay, what the good life is! This week, in Psalm 2, we have the second part of the introduction to the book of Psalms – ‘Where is our God?’ The twin pillars of God’s people were God’s word and God’s rule (God’s king). With God’s word (his ‘torah’) the soil of the good life, Psalm 2 reminds God’s people that their God remains in control: his king is enthroned, and they have nothing to fear. And just as Jesus IS Psalm 1, so too he IS Psalm 2: Jesus is the king that God promised – for his people and this world. Their hope is answered in him. Our fear is dealt with by his rule. We can join in singing Psalm 2.
Scripture References: Psalms 2:1-12, Matthew 17:1-8, 2 Samuel 7:10-17
Related Topics: Psalms, Trust | More Messages from Bernard Gabbott | Download Audio
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?
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