January 31, 2024

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING:

“What does ‘He ascended’ mean except that He also descended to the lower, earthly regions?  He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.” (Ephesians 4.9-10)

REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

As you read scripture you will read the encouragement of “going up to Jerusalem.” (such as Matthew 20.17 and Mark 10.33) Being from “down south,” I might have thought that Jesus was headed north to Jerusalem say from Bethlehem, Kerioth, the Negev or even Egypt. Jesus did head north toward Jerusalem from those places but only as a boy. He went “up” to Jerusalem not because He was headed north or south, east or west, however. Instead, it was speaking of the elevation of Jerusalem which was “a city set on a hill which could not be hidden; a lamp to the world.” In order to gain entrance into Jerusalem, you have to go through the valleys and then wend your way up the winding roads and steps to the height of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. Often, the phrase was associated with the high holy seasons and the call to worship the One True God. We could say it ourselves as we enter our prayer closets or attend worship. I mention this to help us further embrace the teaching of Paul concerning the ascending and descending of Jesus in His ministry. It was in His ”coming in and going out” (reference Psalm 121.8 or Joshua 3) that Jesus truly separated Himself from those who claimed to be religious in the understanding of Judaism as it had sadly become. Even in the days of David “the coming in and going out” was emblematic of the Holy of Holies and the Tabernacle of the Presence of the Lord. It was a time of consulting and be consulted by God for the “deliverance of the people of God.”

Joshua referred to this action as they were entering into the Promised Land which had been given by God’s Word to the captives and their forebearers. If we remember in the days of Moses, Joshua and Caleb were two of twelve spies of Israel sent in to bring back a report concerning this land that had been given them. Can you imagine opening your presents for your birthday, anniversary or Christmas before the time when they would be given to you to see if they were worthy enough of your attention? What would happen if you responded as the other ten spies did seeing the great challenges that went along with the great rewards. In essence, they declared that they were not worthy enough (meaning incapable) of not only entering into the Promised Land, taking it for themselves but maintaining control of it. Wasn’t that the truth of the matter in the first place. Without God none of that would have been possible. And in the years, decades, eras and centuries which followed up to and including today, Israel has continued to struggle with this truth: without God everything will seem and become impossible. But, we know the word of the Lord which declares, “With God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19.26) Of course, even that verse has been so misinterpreted and misapplied because we are a people who continue to “go in and out of” God’s wisdom and providence. How many have desired to interpret that scripture out of its context to apply their own meaning of self-worth and value in and of themselves. In context, we must hear Jesus addressing the query of His “twelve” disciples about the possibility of salvation. It was a question inspired by the vacillating rich, young ruler who asked Jesus “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Another way of looking at that question is “What must I do to enter into the Promised Land of God forever?” Jesus’ response was critical, “With man it is impossible but with God all things are possible.” In other words, self-righteousness can never fulfill the destiny of eternal blessing which God desires to give to His people. But, true righteousness, that which comes from God alone, will never fail us, forsake us or leave us empty.

Mighty ones of God, let us consider then “our coming in and our going out” as well as our “going in and our coming out” as we enter each day with a sense of worship, service and salvation. It is our role as ambassadors of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to “go in and come out” of every nation, every tribe, every people, every place for the express purpose of bringing the good news of great joy which is intended for everyone. It is intended to be a great joy that will fill the whole universe with goodness, gladness and the peace which surpasses all understanding. Be mindful of the meaning of God’s word which is given in such succinct form so as to capture our imagination and motivate our lives to “live worthy of the calling by which we have been called.“

TODAY’S PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD:

Father, before we were conceived in the womb, You had already formed us in Your love and by Your Spirit spoke us into being. Each one of us is blessed with the opportunity of doing right, being good and producing the fruit of the Spirit so that others may be fed the truth of that same love so that the two will become one. It is our soul’s sincere desire to embrace the oneness You have in mind that we would know that we are Your people and that You are our God. Lead us in that discovery of the truth and the manifestation of that love for us all. In Jesus’ name, we pray. AMEN.