Understanding God's Intentions

Jim:

Nehemiah 13:4-22
Verses 17 and 18 set up an interesting dichotomy with Jesus’ teachings about the Sabbath. Nehemiah writes, “Then I remonstrated with the nobles of Judah and said to them, ‘What is this evil thing that you are doing, profaning the sabbath day? Did not your ancestors act in this way, and did not our God bring all this disaster on us and on this city? Yet you bring more wrath on Israel by profaning the sabbath.’” Centuries later Jesus would argue with the Pharisees about the intent of the sabbath and about what was appropriate to do on that day. At first glance we might assume that Nehemiah and Jesus were on opposite sides of the discussion. But in fact, each was arguing for a respectful understanding of God’s will. If the point of the sabbath had been lost in rules and regulations then it no longer reflected God’s original intentions. But if the day was used as a source of blessing, if it was given over to reflecting on the glory of God and God’s good intentions for humanity, then it would not be as important what was actually being done. It really hinges on intent.

Revelation 12:1-12
I was touched by the words in verse 11 that say, “for they did not cling to life even in the face of death.” The people to whom this refers have chosen to do the will of God, even if it leads to death. This, too, resonates with words of Jesus who said that those who try to keep their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for the sake of the gospel will keep it. This is faithful obedience to God through Christ, the willingness to do God’s will even if, in worldly terms, it seems like “losing.”

Matthew 13:53-58
One of the problems that Jesus encountered in his home town was the attitude of the people there. They looked at him and saw his earthly connections, his human attributes. “’Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this/’” (vs. 55-56) This was all true, But it completely ignored the divine Sonship of Jesus the Messiah. How do we understand Jesus?