Random Thoughts

Jim:

1 Kings 3:16-28
What a great story! What Debbie and I commented on this morning is that neither of us remembered that the two women were prostitutes. And yet, as low in society as they were, they had access to Solomon’s counsel. The story also has that great moment when the real mother offers to give up the child rather than see it killed, which provides Solomon with all the evidence he needed.

Acts 27:27-44
Verse 35 is interesting. “After (Paul) had said this, he took bread; and giving thanks to God in the presence of all, he broke it and began to eat.” Paul was not celebrating the Lord’s supper per se, but notice the words that are used. Paul “took bread”, offered “thanks to God”, “broke” the bread, and began to eat. Very similar to accounts of the Lord’s supper. And clearly Paul is mindful of God’s presence in the events transpiring around him. But every meal we eat should remind us of the Lord’s supper and of God’s gracious love for us made manifest in Jesus Christ.

Mark 14:12-26
Verses 18 and 19 struck me this morning. “And when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.’ They began to be distressed and to say to him one after another, ‘Surely, not I?’” Only Judas had formed any intent at this point to betray Jesus, but all of the disciples were “distressed” that it might be they of whom Jesus was speaking, and so none of them, according to Mark, denied Jesus’ assertion very strongly. Our sinful nature leads us to this situation, to the point that we realize what we are capable of, even betrayal against God’s will and purpose. If we are honest we’ll recognize our potential to turn away from God. But we will also recognize God’s grace and mercy in forgiving and loving us nonetheless.