16 September 2007

Psalm 24, 29; 1 Kings 19:8-21; Acts 5:34-42; John 11:45-47

Go back the way you came. We never like to hear those words when they mean re-visiting the scene of failure. Elijah can’t avoid going back to the scene in order to deal with his doubts and fears to see that the Lord has the situation under control. His little speech doesn’t go over particularly well, beginning with declaration about his faithfulness and zealousness and that he alone can make this claim. The Lord’s rebuke is that Elijah isn’t alone in faithfulness, there are as many as 7,000 others who cam lay claim and none of them is in this cave with Elijah, hiding from Jezebel. We tend to look for God in the big things when sometimes we need to listen and look more closely for Him.

Jesus has raised Lazarus from the dead, what was the motive for those who told the Pharisees what He had done and what was the reason for the called meeting of the Sanhedrin? Some believed and put their faith in the one who has done the miracle while others simply went to the authorities. It is amazing that people could witness such a miracle and not then make the step of faith to believe. There is no leap necessary here, simply a step, yet not everyone takes that step. Is there any doubt that we have need of the Holy Spirit in prevenient grace (that which goes before faith itself) in order to come to faith at all?

Rabbi Gamaliel speaks of allowing this Jesus thing to play itself out. He has seen others come and go and so believes that this too will pass and if not their opposition will be futile anyway as it would be opposing God. The council is convinced of the wisdom of the rabbi and so only flogs the disciples (!) and tells them not to use the name of Jesus. What is the reaction of the disciples? It is not to go about complaining to all who will listen, but to rejoice that they were worthy of persecution and continue to do exactly what they were forbidden to do.

Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty— he is the King of glory.

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