Devotional thoughts for Saturday

Saturday 25. October 2014 

Trinity 18 

As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to His disciples: "The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day." And they were greatly distressed. (Matthew 17,22-23 ESV) 

Jesus told His disciples several times in the Holy Gospels that He would be crucified and rise again. This was why He arrived in the world. This is what the ministry of the Messiah was to be. 

His disciples were distressed over this. Part of this distress was because this went against the conventional wisdom at the time among the Jews. They believed the Messiah would be a powerful kingly figure, like David, who would sweep through the land with a mighty army driving out the Romans and re-establishing the glories of the Davidic kingdom. They pined for the good old days, but Jesus was not living up to those fantasies. 

Jesus was ushering in a new reign. It is a reign far greater than David and his kingdom. This new testament reign encompasses the earth and all the nations. Jesus established His Church, and from His Church His death and resurrection are preached. People hear and believe. They are righteous and saved. 

All this stems from His death and resurrection. His passion has global consequences. Sin is paid for. Death is overcome. The grave will one day be empty. Forgiveness, righteousness and mercy overflow from God's hand and we are blessed by it . All this is a gift given to us by Jesus. 

Prayer: O Almighty God, You stirred to compassion the hearts of Your dear servants Dorcas, Lydia and Phoebe to uphold and sustain Your Church by their devoted and charitable deeds. Give us the same will to love You, open our eyes to see You in the least ones and strengthen our hands to serve You in others, for the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.  Amen. (1101, Treasury of Daily Prayer)