2 Chronicles
2 Chronicles seems to be fairly similar to 2 Kings. They both gave a brief synopsis of each king and mentioned whether or not they obeyed the law. I did notice one difference in the last chapter today. 2 Chronicles ends with a message of hope for Israel because Cyrus of Persia announces that he will rebuild the temple in Jerusalem and let anyone who desires go back to Jerusalem. This announcement leads nicely into the next book of Ezra. 2 Kings didn't go over that, and just ended with Jehoiachin living in prison.
Luke
Luke 12:50-51 caught my attention. Jesus said "But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division."
First of all, the fact that Jesus was distressed until he completed his 'baptism' which I think refers to his death and resurrection. He doesn't always let us into his feelings about his task on earth. Usually, we just hear about all the wonderful things he did in ushering in the kingdom of God. But in this sentence, we find out just how much of an impact his ultimate goal had on him. It was truly difficult for him to follow through with the plan. We are privy to this struggle at one other point in scripture - his time in Gethsemane where he asks that God take 'this cup' from him, but also that God would have His will done. When we're struggling with a difficult task that God has given us, we can run to Jesus, because he certainly knows what we're dealing with.
Verse 51 is also interesting because it makes me think of another verse about peace. Luke 2:14 says "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests." Jesus' birth seems to usher in peace on earth, and yet later in his ministry, Jesus says that he didn't come to bring peace. Seems like somewhat of a paradox.
However, after reading Gill's Exposition on the Bible, I have found somewhat of an answer. God came to bring peace to men (as happened with Jesus' birth), but Jesus was not going to set up a political kingdom and solve the world's problems of peace or war. So these two different verses are really talking about two different kinds of peace - God's and man's. I think God's peace toward us is much more desirable and much longer lasting!
Showing posts with label peace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label peace. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
A Good Measure
Key verses
Philippians 4:4-7 - "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Luke
Luke 6:38 is another clear example of generosity. "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Jesus said that. Doesn't it sound great? And the idea of giving abundantly sounds wonderful. God just needs to help loosen the grip we have on our time and money, doesn't he?
Just a side note on Luke 6:39, where Jesus talks about how a blind man can't lead another blind man. Every time I hear that phrase, I think of John Kenneth Galbraith's line in his book The Affluent Society: "The bland leading the bland" (p. 4). I'm not too certain if we should be drawing links between the two meanings, but it is an interesting use of the phrase.
Philippians 4:4-7 - "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Luke
Luke 6:38 is another clear example of generosity. "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Jesus said that. Doesn't it sound great? And the idea of giving abundantly sounds wonderful. God just needs to help loosen the grip we have on our time and money, doesn't he?
Just a side note on Luke 6:39, where Jesus talks about how a blind man can't lead another blind man. Every time I hear that phrase, I think of John Kenneth Galbraith's line in his book The Affluent Society: "The bland leading the bland" (p. 4). I'm not too certain if we should be drawing links between the two meanings, but it is an interesting use of the phrase.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Righteousness, peace, and joy
Romans 14:17 - For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
This verse alone (though read in context) should be enough to keep the church from petty fights over how we 'do church'. Unfortunately, we let ourselves get too caught up in the small things and end up completely missing out on what God was really establishing among us - an life of righteousness, peace, and joy! I want to take part in that! So let's set our minds on things above and work toward this kingdom.
This verse alone (though read in context) should be enough to keep the church from petty fights over how we 'do church'. Unfortunately, we let ourselves get too caught up in the small things and end up completely missing out on what God was really establishing among us - an life of righteousness, peace, and joy! I want to take part in that! So let's set our minds on things above and work toward this kingdom.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Micah and Jesus
Key verse
Micah 6:8 - He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah
It's amazing that Micah could give the word of the Lord to his hearers regarding Jesus' birth in Bethlehem hundreds of years before it actually happened. Micah's word of encouragement concerning little Bethlehem in Judah gave hope that God would not abandon his people (see Micah 5). This Christmas season, don't get caught up in presents and gifts and trees. Dwell on Micah's words that spoke of a man who would stand in the strength and majesty of the Lord and rule his people in peace. Let's stand in God's kingdom and help extend this peace in our areas today.
Micah 6:8 - He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah
It's amazing that Micah could give the word of the Lord to his hearers regarding Jesus' birth in Bethlehem hundreds of years before it actually happened. Micah's word of encouragement concerning little Bethlehem in Judah gave hope that God would not abandon his people (see Micah 5). This Christmas season, don't get caught up in presents and gifts and trees. Dwell on Micah's words that spoke of a man who would stand in the strength and majesty of the Lord and rule his people in peace. Let's stand in God's kingdom and help extend this peace in our areas today.
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