2Sam. 1: 1, 17 - 27

The omitted gory tale carries a line that merits prayerful consideration. "How did you dare," David said to him, "to lift your hand and kill the LORD's anointed?" (14) The Hebrew words that David used for King Saul are 'YHWH's Messiah'. When we put that into the text, then the verb 'said' is obviously too weak. So we paraphrase: "How did you dare," David raged at him, "to lift your hand and slay YHWH's Messiah?" Now think of Calvary, and your complicity.

David uses two more strong words to describe his king: glory and mighty. The Church, for which Israel stands, has largely applied these terms to God, and aptly so. In this light, both words come with startling modifiers. David speaks of glory... slain and mighty fallen. Do these now clash in your ears as they do in mine? Is the mighty God of glory, fallen, slain? Were the 'God is dead' theologians right, after all? In one sense, Yes. And it is this sense which, I think, the Church needs to ponder, pray over and learn from. God is dead; God in Christ Jesus died on Calvary. Now consider why, for what cause, for whom.

David wails, grieving for his friend, Jonathan. And whom does Jonathan symbolize? How about your best friend, your neighbor, relative, your acquaintance, unknown stranger? For if God and Christ have died, has not also all of humanity? Now think of the Reed Sea, the Jordan, the baptismal font, and Paul's words: For you have died, (Col. 3: 3) since one died for all; therefore, all have died. (2Cor. 5: 14) We were indeed buried with [Christ] through baptism into death (Rom. 6: 4).

David is more than a good poet, he is a discerning prophet. The swords of King Saul and Jonathan lie dulled and broken in the bloody mire on the battlefield. God and Christ lie slain in that same gory mess. End of story? Yes; of one story, at least. Consider: when there are no weapons of war, what else can therefore no longer exist?

"'Tis as consummation devoutly to be wished" indeed, but it is not a reality in this world, as we all well know. The 'war to end all wars' was a total failure in that respect. Unfortunately, the story of warfare goes on, and on....

So what war has ended? That of God against the evil one. And it is over because the king and his son lie in the muck, dead. So guess who won? If you reason that it must be the evil one, your conclusion, however logical, is wrong. "Death is swallowed up in victory" (1Cor. 15: 54), Paul proclaims. For God played a trick on the adversary: Jesus became the evil one on the cross (2Cor. 5: 21) so that sin-- not His, but yours and mine-- died on Calvary. Then God raised Christ from the dead. But the one whom God raised up did not see corruption. You must know, my [beloved], that through [Christ] forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you, in regard to everything from which you could not be justified under the law of Moses. (Acts 13: 37-39)

We know that our old self was crucified with [Christ], so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. (Rom. 6: 6-7) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in... great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1Pet. 1: 3). But God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love [God] had for us, ...(by grace you have been saved), raised us up with [Christ] (Eph. 2: 4..6).

Thus was the victor vanquished, and the weapons of war destroyed. The battle against sin is over; God's warfare has ceased. Christian, lay down your arms, desist from hostilities. Enter, rather, into God's realm of love, joy and peace: the mansion that Christ has gone to prepare for you. You do not have to die to go there; all you need to do is to accept God's Word, believe in Christ Jesus and trust in God.



Psalm 130

What does it mean: to look to, to await something? Do they merely express anticipation and wishfulness? Or are they declarations of dependence and reliance?

O Israel, wait for the LORD; (7) the Psalmist implores. To wait for someone is to expect their coming, to trust in their person and word. And, in this case, to good purpose:

Is that not worth waiting for, trusting in?

2Cor. 8: 7 - 15
Although this lesson is part of a 'stewardship sermon', it is not just about money. For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich. (9) The Apostle is talking about something far greater than pocket change.

I say this not by way of command, but to test the genuineness of your love by your concern for others. (8) This statement resonates deeply with 1John and James. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another. (1Jn. 4: 11) If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well," ...what good is it? (Jas. 2: 15..16) Remember, Christian, God delivered Israel (the Church) out of Egypt (slavery to sin) not into Canaan (the Promised Land), but into the desert (life in the world), where God tested their hearts(1) for 40 years (an adult lifetime). Paul here points to the second of the two primary tests: your concern, your love for your fellow Christian, for your neighbor. Children, let us love not in word or speech, but in deed and truth. (1Jn. 3: 18)

Mark 5: 21 - 43"My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live." (23) "If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured." (28) What do these two people have in common? "Daughter, your faith has saved you." (34) "Do not be afraid; just have faith." (36) Do you have faith like these two persons did? Or do you just "believe"? What does it mean: You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might (Deu. 6: 5)?

1. * See Deu. 8: 2, 13: 3; Prov. 17: 7 and Jer. 17: 10.

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(comments to Phil at ENAPXH@aol.com )