Monday, September 17, 2007

Of Kingdoms and Fields

Jim:

1 Kings 21:1-16
Matthew 4:1-11
There is an interesting connection between these two passages. In the 1 Kings text, Ahab covets a field that belongs to Naboth. When Naboth will not sell it to Ahab, Ahab’s wife Jezebel conspires to take it through despicable means, rationalizing her actions by the fact that Ahab is king of Israel. In the Matthew text Satan tempts Jesus with possession of the kingdoms of the world (v. 8-10) if Jesus will but worship Satan. While Ahab is all too ready to take possession of the field after Jezebel’s actions, Jesus resists Satan’s offer and remains true to God’s will. And that would seem to be the key to these two passages: the will of God, versus the human will. All too often we succumb to rationalization and sin, while God calls us to a different way of living, one full of grace and humility. May each of us have the strength to choose God’s will in our lives over any other voice that tempts us.

1 Corinthians 1:1-19
In keeping with the theme of God’s will, Paul invites his readers in Corinth to recognize the fellowship into which they have been called by God, a relationship with one another in the Lord Jesus Christ. In verse 9 he writes, “God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” Paul, then, would also have us choose God’s will and the community that it creates over the ways of the world or the sinfulness of our nature. Paul also reminds us that God is steadfast in loving us and caring for us.

No comments: