Crossing the Kidron, Tee Shirts, etc.

Jim:

1 Kings 1:32-2:46
Admittedly this passage sounds like something out of a Godfather movie, with all of Solomon’s enemies being killed off, one by one. But I have always been fascinated by one detail in particular. In 1:37 Solomon tells Shimei, “on the day you go out, and cross the Wadi Kidron, know for certain that you shall die…” The reasons for this are immaterial. What is interesting is that according to John 18:1, “After Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden…”, and shortly thereafter Judas betrays Jesus. I can’t believe that it is a coincidence that in each case crossing the Kidron means death. For Shimei or Jesus to have remained in Jerusalem would have meant protection. It seems Jesus knew that leaving Jerusalem meant making himself vulnerable, that like Shimei, he would be killed by the authorities. As to the rest of the passage in 1 Kings, Solomon was doing what kings did to secure their power and to tighten their grasp on the throne.

Acts 26:24-27:8
I focused on 1:29 this morning. “Paul replied, ‘Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that not only you but also all who are listening to me today might become such as I am—except for these chains.’” Three things strike me here. One is that even in bondage Paul speaks of the true freedom found in Jesus Christ. Secondly, Paul understands that God alone can accomplish the transformation of lives. Paul might be a part of the process, but God is the one who will bring it about. And thirdly, while Paul might have used his circumstances to plead for mercy or to try to escape imprisonment—which might have happened had he played his cards right—he instead uses this opportunity to proclaim the gospel to an ever extending range of people.

Mark 13:28-37
Today I underlined verse 37, “And what I (Jesus) say to you I say to all: Keep awake.” It reminds me of a tee-shirt I saw a long time ago that said, “Be alert. The world needs more lerts.” Actually, I think Jesus’ words are an interesting way to express the gospel. Keep awake. Pay attention. Take nothing for granted. Be actively engaged in the work of the kingdom, because that is what God’s people are to do. It is impossible to be a static Christian. To be a Christian is to be at attention, to be busy. Like the bumper sticker says, “Faith is a verb.” To relax, to doze off is to miss one’s calling in the faith. Or to put it another way, be a disciple of Christ, the world needs more Christians.