July 13, 2025

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“‘For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth. But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; you have violated the covenant with Levi,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘So I have caused you to be despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not followed my ways but have shown partiality in matters of the law.’ [Malachi asks] Do we not all have one Father ? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our ancestors by being unfaithful to one another?‘” (Malachi 2.7-10)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD TO US:

As I read and reread chapter 2, I see verse ten (“Why do we profane the covenant of our ancestors by being unfaithful to one another?”) as the central focus of the chapter around which the entire message is structured. Malachi is asking the company of priests who are serving in the temple (as well as those assigned in rotation to do so throughout the year as if this were a convocation of priests in preparation for the time ahead) the very question which Jesus directs Peter and the disciples to consider. The question is “Why have we forgotten the very convenant which has been made with us and God: love one another?” When Jesus brings this query to the disciples’ attention, He presents it as a “new commandment.” In truth, it is not actually a new commandment but one which had become forgotten over the centuries, perhaps two millennia. It is a new commandment for the disciples because the Word of the Lord which preceded the Decalogue, the Shema, was at least minimalized through time. When the Pharisees ask Jesus, “Which is the greatest commandment?” (recorded in Matthew 22 and in Mark 12), they had in mind their own “chosen” commandments reflecting a personal opinion and not that of God’s favor. It was the way in which they conducted their ministry with one another and with the people of Israel. Agreement with one or another was vital to their identity. It wasn’t and isn’t something new. We all have a point in time when we want someone to agree with us. It validates who we believe we are and creates an alliance of sorts which becomes a power over others. It works as long as there is agreement. Jesus did not play such relational games. His commitment was to God and humanity. The priority was always His commitment to God who was, is and will forever be His Father in Heaven. To state, “A new commandment I give to you,” (John 13.34f) was Jesus’ way of bringing the matter of instruction which was about to be given into summary. It was the point not only of His teaching but His expectation of how they should live.

Two tests followed that “new commandment” as referred to in the Gospel of John (the beloved disciple). The first test came with the announcement that “one of you” would betray Jesus and hand Him over into the hands of His accusers and executioners (not beyond God’s will, I would remind you). Judas of Kerioth was that disciple who chose his own view of what Messiah should be and do. Deciding that Jesus was not meeting the standard or perhaps that He needed motivation to rise to the challenge and overthrow both the priests and the Romans, Judas did not show “love for one another” or for Jesus. It was an act of self-concern. Judas had his own agenda. (I have written a scenario in another writing as an illustration of explaining the use of Psalm 23 as a battle plan, and in it I suggest Judas was not truly a friend of the Master. The history of the land and people of Kerioth included a disaffected relationship with the tribe of Judah. Could it have been that Judah was intending an insurrection leading to the failure of Jesus whether He was the Messiah or not?) As I said, it is a reflection of intentionality. Judas had his own intentionality and Jesus used it to further the mission of redemption, reconciliation and renewal which was His Father’s singular agenda.

The second test would come with Peter as Jesus told him directly “…before the cock crows in the morning, you will deny Me three times.” It would seem that no one else heard this dialogue at the time or else there would have been quite an argument with the remaining disciples. Regardless, we know that Peter did indeed deny Jesus three times or more aptly that he was a disciple of Jesus. We must be very careful when accusing Peter of denying Jesus. Peter actually was denying himself and his relationship with Jesus. This would, of course, fit into the theme of “loving self more than others and more than God.” It would require that reminder of renewing the Temple identity as in the days of Josiah with the Deuteronomic Reform. We already have mentioned the dialogue between the Pharisees and Jesus concerning the Temple following His “cleansing” of it (early in John and late in the Synoptics.) We are always confronted with the decision of putting ourselves before our discipleship and our place in the life of the Church. Whom shall we worship and why? Are we drawing close to Jesus or keeping a distance to satisfy our sense of inclusion without sincere accountability. For Peter, Jesus brings him back into the fold of faith before He ascends. He does this at the lakeside weeks after the resurrection with three questions “Do you love Me?“

This is our own test, mighty ones of God. Are we truly loving one another within the fellowship of faith? Are we purposeful in building up the body of Christ until it reaches full maturity rising up to the measure and stature of Christ? It is easier to love the stranger or those in desperate need than it is to love those closest to us. God has always declared that we must first love those closest to us or our love for others is muted or even invalidated. Why would that be? Think of our mission as Christ followers. We are called to lead others to Christ. We are not called to simply meet their mental, physical and psychological needs. We are to be Kingdom recruiters and not worldly suitors. The priests in the days of Malachi failed on both counts. We dare not.

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

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness but as righteous works leading others to call Jesus Lord in faith, hope and love. AMEN.