2 Samuel 2:12-3:5; John 12:37-50; Psalms 118:27-29; Proverbs 25:9-10

NT: “Even though he had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in him. This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet, who said: Lord, who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? This is why they were unable to believe, because Isaiah also said: He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they would not see with their eyes or understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them… Jesus cried out, “The one who believes in me believes not in me, but in him who sent me. And the one who sees me sees him who sent me. I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me would not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and doesn’t keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and doesn’t receive my sayings has this as his judge: The word I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on my own, but the Father himself who sent me has given me a command to say everything I have said. I know that his command is eternal life. So the things that I speak, I speak just as the Father has told me.”” (‭‭John‬ ‭12:37-40, 44-50‬ ‭CSB)

John the apostle, in a brief moment of commentary, reminded the readers of his gospel that Jesus’ rejection was prophesied by Isaiah of old… that the message of the Messiah would be difficult for people to accept and believe… that people’s spiritual eyes would be blinded by the hardness of their hearts, and that they would not understand nor recognize the Messiah’s coming. As John pointed out, seeing is not always believing. Many of the people who were around Jesus saw many wonderful and amazing signs, yet they did not believe. The truth is that believing leads to seeing. To fully see and understand Who Jesus is, one must first come to the point of believing… and that requires faith and humility. Jesus came as light to the entire world, but it is only those who believe who are rescued out of darkness and given the ability to see. Jesus doesn’t condemn those who reject Him… but the absolute truth of His words will condemn them later as they become painfully aware of their rejection of the truth for a lie. Faith comes by hearing the word of the Lord… so in order to come into the light where we can see and understand clearly, we must first hear the Word of God and then place our faith in and on the Word of God. Once we believe, then the beauty of God’s Kingdom and His abundant and everlasting life will be opened to us.

Psalms: “The Lord is God and has given us light. Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will give you thanks. You are my God; I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭118:27-29‬ ‭CSB)

An interesting fact about sacrifices is that sacrifices were usually slaughtered and their blood drained out before they were placed on the altar. The only reason you would need to bind a sacrifice to the altar was if the sacrifice was still alive. Christ, our Light and our Salvation, was bound to the cross and both His body and His blood were offered as the sacrifice to end all sacrifices. Then, we are called in Romans 12, to present our bodies as living sacrifices to the Lord, where we die to our sin and selfish ambition and offer our lives as instruments of righteousness to God in worship. The stone that the builder rejected has become our chief cornerstone. He came as Light to the world so that we would not be left in darkness, but would be allowed to see by faith. That was accomplished as He allowed His life to be bound to the altar. We now, as people who believe in Him, say to Him, “You are my God,” as we offer our lives in faithful service to our Lord, Savior, and Christ.

2 Samuel 1:17-2:11; John 12:20-36; Psalms 118:19-26; Proverbs 25:6-8

NT: “Jesus replied to them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces much fruit. The one who loves his life will lose it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me. Where I am, there my servant also will be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. Now my soul is troubled. What should I say — Father, save me from this hour? But that is why I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd standing there heard it and said it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus responded, “This voice came, not for me, but for you. Now is the judgment of this world. Now the ruler of this world will be cast out. As for me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to myself.”” (‭‭John‬ ‭12:23-32‬ ‭CSB)

Not only were there Jewish pilgrims in Jerusalem for Passover, there were also gentile believers… God fearers, if you will. A group of Greek believers heard that Jesus was in town and they came to Phillip to request a meeting with Jesus. Phillip then went to Andrew, who went to Jesus. This is Jesus’ response to the Greek believers through Andrew and Phillip. Jesus was about to die so that the world may have life. His life was going to be the seed that would bring forth the fruit of abundant and eternal life for those who would follow and serve Him. Notice the conditionality in Jesus’ reply. Though Jesus would die for the entire world, only those who follow Him and serve Him would receive the benefit of His death. Though Jesus was troubled over the inevitable events that would soon take place – He didn’t ask to be removed from that destiny… for the entire reason He came to earth was to die for our sakes… and to glorify the Father. His death would defeat the ruler of this world who is also the enemy of our soul, and His death would open up the opportunity for us to life with His life. By being lifted up as a “spectacle” for the world to see, He would actually be making a spectacle of the enemy… and all types of people would be drawn to Him. We love Him (it says in 1 John) because He first loved us and gave His life for us… and if we continue to lift Him up He will continue to draw people to Himself. I believe that is a primary call on people who lead worship: to lift up Jesus that He may draw all kinds of people to Himself.

Psalms: “Open the gates of righteousness for me; I will enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. This is the Lord’s gate; the righteous will enter through it. I will give thanks to you because you have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This came from the Lord; it is wondrous in our sight. This is the day the Lord has made; let’s rejoice and be glad in it. Lord, save us! Lord, please grant us success! He who comes in the name of the Lord is blessed. From the house of the Lord we bless you.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭118:19-26‬ ‭CSB)

This is the Psalm that the Passover pilgrims were shouting the day Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey. They were passionate about the salvation part of this psalm, but overlooked the rejection part. Everyone was expecting a victorious Messiah… not a Messiah that would be rejected by the religious authorities of the day – but that was exactly what was happening when Jesus entered the “Lord’s gate of righteousness.” The religious authorities (the builders) of that day rejected Jesus as a worthless, troublesome stone that was not worthy to be a part of the building of the Jewish faith. However, God the Father was setting Jesus to be the very cornerstone of a new covenant and the foundation and framer of a perfected faith. The day of rejection was actually a day of rejoicing, planned and made by the Lord, as Jesus Christ became our salvation. For those who follow Christ, serve Christ, and are found in Christ – every day is a joyous day of salvation.

2 Samuel 1:1-16; John 12:9-19; Psalms 118:8-18; Proverbs 25:1-5

NT: “Then a large crowd of the Jews learned he was there. They came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, the one he had raised from the dead. But the chief priests had decided to kill Lazarus also, because he was the reason many of the Jews were deserting them and believing in Jesus. The next day, when the large crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took palm branches and went out to meet him. They kept shouting: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord — the King of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written: Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion. Look, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt… Meanwhile, the crowd, which had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify. This is also why the crowd met him, because they heard he had done this sign. Then the Pharisees said to one another, “You see? You’ve accomplished nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!”” (‭‭John‬ ‭12:9-15, 17-19‬ ‭CSB)

Political maneuvering is not something new. It has been around as long as sin has been around. The religious leaders were threatened by Jesus’ increasing popularity and influence and had already decided they must destroy Him to maintain their position and power. But after Jesus very publicly raised Lazarus from the dead, just getting rid of Jesus was not enough. They had to “cancel” Jesus and they had to “cancel” Lazarus whose mere existence now proved that Jesus was no ordinary man. Passover was a celebration commemorating the time when God moved miraculously and rescued Israel from enslavement to Egypt. I imagine that Passover probably stoked the faith of Jews all over the world to believe once again for God’s deliverance. People from all over the region making pilgrimage to Jerusalem for Passover and the recent news of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead combined to form the perfect storm of faith. As Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, the crowds, filled with hope and renewed faith, began singing and shouting, “Hosanna!” Which means save us now, Lord! God had been their strength, salvation, and song once before… and they had reason to believe that Jesus was God’s strength and salvation come to them once again… and the Pharisees would not have it.

Psalms: “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humanity. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in nobles. All the nations surrounded me; in the name of the Lord I destroyed them… They pushed me hard to make me fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. There are shouts of joy and victory in the tents of the righteous: “The Lord’s right hand performs valiantly! The Lord’s right hand is raised. The Lord’s right hand performs valiantly!” I will not die, but I will live and proclaim what the Lord has done. The Lord disciplined me severely but did not give me over to death.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭118:8-10, 13-18‬ ‭CSB)

After generations of unfaithfulness and idolatry, God disciplined the nation of Israel by allowing them to be conquered by Babylon, taken into captivity, and the temple to be destroyed. Some 70 years later, about 50,000 Jews were allowed to return to the land under the leadership of Zerubbabel. They began rebuilding the ruins of Jerusalem and the temple, but were later thwarted by threats from surrounding nations. It wasn’t until some 16 years later that efforts resumed under the ministry of prophets like Zechariah and the grace of the Lord through the Holy Spirit. Zechariah’s prophetic word to Zerubbabel was “Not by strength or by might, but by My Spirit, says the Lord… You will bring out the capstone accompanied by shouts of grace!” (Zechariah 4:6-7) Hundreds of years earlier, at the birth of the nation of Israel, the people were trapped between the Red Sea and a charging Egyptian cavalry and charioteers. God moved mightily, made a way where there was no way, and delivered the fledgling nation from utter destruction. On the other side of the sea, Israel lifted up a song of victory and sang, “The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.” (Exodus 15:2) It is always easier to put your trust in resources that you can see, hear, and touch, than it is to place faith in an unseen God. As real as tangible things may seem, they all have limits. God, though unseen, is more real than the natural world and has no limitations. When we are willing and able to set aside trust in what we see, know and understand, and place our trust squarely on God – He moves on our behalf, gives us the strength we need, and leads us to victory. Through being our strength and our salvation, He becomes our song… He becomes both the subject of our songs and the very reason we are able to sing songs of joy and victory in the first place. Fast forward to today… Much like Israel of old, time and time again, we have forsaken our trust in God’s word, will, and ways and have instead placed our trust and misguided hope in people, political platforms and political parties. We look to government to save us instead of God… and look where that has gotten us. Meanwhile, God searches throughout the world for men and women who will worship Him authentically and place their faith and trust in Him completely, so that He may make them strong, bring salvation through them, and bring glory to His name. Our only hope is faith in Christ and obedience to His word, will, and ways. Allow God to do wonders through you and let Him not only be your strength… but become your song.

1 Samuel 30:21-31:13; John 11:55-12:8; Psalms 118:1-7; Proverbs 24:30-34

NT: “Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus was, the one Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there; Martha was serving them, and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took a pound of perfume, pure and expensive nard, anointed Jesus’s feet, and wiped his feet with her hair. So the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. Then one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot (who was about to betray him), said, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He didn’t say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of the money-bag and would steal part of what was put in it. Jesus answered, “Leave her alone; she has kept it for the day of my burial. For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”” (‭‭John‬ ‭12:1-8‬ ‭CSB)

Just before Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, He had a quiet and intimate dinner with His close friends in Bethany.  While Jesus was dining and enjoying the evening, Mary unexpectedly anointed Him with expensive perfumed oil and washed His feet with her hair. If Judas’ estimation of the resale value of the perfume was correct, the perfume was worth almost a year’s wages. That perfume was probably one of her most valuable possessions and part of her dowry – the representation of her worth to a potential husband. She offered it all in sacrificial worship to Jesus. Why would she do such a thing? Mary was someone who sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to His words whenever she had the opportunity. She obviously treasured Jesus’ words, and most likely paid close attention to them and meditated on them regularly. She heard Jesus predict His death, and probably took those words very seriously… more seriously than the twelve disciples. So when it became evident to her that the inevitable was drawing close, she wanted to express her worship and devotion to her Messiah while He was still alive to receive it. The disciples (especially Judas) missed the significance of the moment. Judas was to concerned about appearing pious (and lining his pockets) to be able to recognize a truly selfless display of honor. The stark difference between Judas and Mary reminds me of the difference between Saul and David. Saul had no devotion to the Lord, while David said he would never offer anything unless it cost him something. David explained that God wasn’t after sacrifices… but costly sacrifices are evidence of a completely yielded heart – and that was what Mary displayed that evening. Work is never as important as authentic worship. Work that is not born out of worship is merely vain effort that produces little more than sweat. However, authentic worship will always produce work that is infused with divine grace and life. Mary’s act of selfless and extravagant worship blessed the Lord, blessed her, and blessed the entire house as the beautiful fragrance of her worship filled the room.

Psalms: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever. Let Israel say, “His faithful love endures forever.” Let the house of Aaron say, “His faithful love endures forever.” Let those who fear the Lord say, “His faithful love endures forever.” I called to the Lord in distress; the Lord answered me and put me in a spacious place. The Lord is for me; I will not be afraid. What can a mere mortal do to me? The Lord is my helper; therefore, I will look in triumph on those who hate me.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭118:1-7‬ ‭CSB)

If we truly understood the depth of God’s goodness and the vastness of His faithful love and mercy, we could not help but give thanks to the Lord and praise His name. That is why the psalmist calls the nation of Israel, the entire priesthood, and all who are among God’s faithful (Jew and gentile alike) to offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and praise to the Lord God. He saves us, He delivers us, He provides for us, and He gives us peace. So lavishly give Him thanks and praise.

1 Samuel 29:1-30:20; John 11:30-54; Psalms 116:15-117:2; Proverbs 24:28-29

NT: “As soon as Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and told him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died!” When Jesus saw her crying, and the Jews who had come with her crying, he was deeply moved in his spirit and troubled. “Where have you put him?” he asked. “Lord,” they told him, “come and see.” Jesus wept… Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. “Remove the stone,” Jesus said. Martha, the dead man’s sister, told him, “Lord, there is already a stench because he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you heard me. I know that you always hear me, but because of the crowd standing here I said this, so that they may believe you sent me.” After he said this, he shouted with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out bound hand and foot with linen strips and with his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unwrap him and let him go.”” (‭‭John‬ ‭11:32-35, 38-44‬ ‭CSB)

This passage has always been an insightful picture of the heart of our Lord every time I read it. Jesus knew that Lazarus was going to be raised back to life – so why did He weep? Why was He deeply moved? He didn’t weep over the death of Lazarus. He wept because of the anguish that Mary and the other mourners were experiencing. Our Lord is not some emotionless uninvolved third party. He cares deeply for us and empathizes with our pain and sadness. Our anguish causes Him to be deeply moved. He can be grieved, and often is grieved… even though He transcends all hardship and suffering. When Jesus called for the stone covering Lazarus’ tomb to be removed, Martha was quick to say, “Are you sure you want to do that? It’s going to stink.” How many times do we prevent God’s glory from being displayed in us and through us because we aren’t willing to put up with the unpleasant? Jesus responded by essentially saying, “You can keep the stone on the tomb and miss out on what God wants to do, or you can remove the stone, endure the stench, and experience the glory of God.” Thankfully, they opted to remove the stone, and Jesus performed the seventh sign that proved that He was (and is) the Son of God, and that we (literally) can have life in His name. He authoritatively commanded Lazarus to come out, and immediately Lazarus came out of death and into life! He was alive, but his grave clothes were still on him, so Jesus said to Lazarus’ friends and family, “Unwrap him and let him go.” Often times, that is the privilege we have as believers as we obey Christ’s commission to make disciples. Christ, by the Holy Spirit brings people from death to life, and then we, as disciple makers, help them out of their grave clothes so that they can walk freely in the new life they have been given.

Psalms: “Praise the Lord, all nations! Glorify him, all peoples! For his faithful love to us is great; the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever. Hallelujah!” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭117:1-2‬ ‭CSB)

The word “glory” from the passage in John above is translated from the Greek word ‘doxa.’ This particular psalm could be considered a doxology. Doxology is a compound word made from the Greek word ‘doxa’ (glory) and logos (words, typically spoken). Therefore a doxology is an utterance that ascribes glory… or words of glory. The writer of this psalm calls, not only the people of Israel, but all peoples from every nation to praise the Lord and give Him Glory. Why? His checed (God’s zealous love, kindness, mercy, goodness) towards all humanity is great… and His emeth (truth, reliability, stability, faithfulness) to His word, will, and ways endures forever. He is always good and He does not change… and the reason any of us have life and are able to experience any good thing, is because of His mercy toward us.

1 Samuel 27:1-28:25; John 11:1-29; Psalms 116:6-14; Proverbs 24:27

NT: “Now a man was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha… So the sisters sent a message to him: “Lord, the one you love is sick.” When Jesus heard it, he said, “This sickness will not end in death but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” …So when he heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was. Then after that, he said to the disciples, “Let’s go to Judea again.” “Rabbi,” the disciples told him, “just now the Jews tried to stone you, and you’re going there again?” “Aren’t there twelve hours in a day?” Jesus answered. “If anyone walks during the day, he doesn’t stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks during the night, he does stumble, because the light is not in him.” …When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days… As soon as Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, but Mary remained seated in the house. Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. Yet even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” “Your brother will rise again,” Jesus told her. Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who comes into the world.”” (‭‭John‬ ‭11:1, 3-4, 6-10, 17, 20-27‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

To the casual observer, Jesus’ response to the news of Lazarus’ sickness would have seemed uncaring. It appeared that Jesus brushed it off… He made some comment about the sickness not ending in death and then ignored it for two days. Then, oddly, two days later, Jesus said he needed to go back into the lion’s den of Judah to “wake up” His sick friend that He so casually brushed off two days earlier. But Jesus knew something that everyone else didn’t know. The Father had shown Jesus what He was going to do, and Jesus did everything the Father told Him to do to bring the greatest amount of glory to God. That took a lot of faith for Jesus: to know that Lazarus’ sickness would lead to death and to stand by and let Him die, knowing and believing that greater glory would be gained, not through healing, but by bringing Lazarus back from the dead. When Jesus’ disciples warned Him that it was too soon after an attempted stoning to go back to Judah, Jesus told them that He was on The Father’s time-table… He was moving in the light of God the Father’s will and would not be made to stumble… so He had no fear of what might be done to Him. His only concern was walking in obedience to The Father. Again… what great faith! When Jesus and His disciples finally arrived in Bethany, they found that Lazarus had been dead and buried for 4 days. Lazarus was not (as Miracle Max would say) “mostly dead.” Lazarus was completely dead and decay had begun to set in. Then Martha came up to Jesus and said what everyone was thinking: “If You had been here, Lazarus would still be alive…” She then made a statement of faith by saying, “Even-though my brother died, I still believe that God will do whatever You ask of Him.” I don’t know what was in Martha’s mind when she said that, but it doesn’t appear that she had resurrection in mind. When Jesus said, “Your brother will live again,” she replied that she believed in a bodily resurrection at the end of the age. Then Jesus gave his fifth “I AM” statement. Basically, He said, “You say you believe in the resurrection at the end of the age… well… I AM the resurrection that you believe in… I AM the life that makes that end-of-the-age resurrection possible. Abundant life now and eternal life in the future comes to those who place their faith in Me. Do you believe… do you place your faith in Me?” Jesus had complete faith in the Father and Who He was in God. Do we have complete faith in Christ and who we are in Christ? Are we willing to follow Jesus completely the way Jesus completely followed The Father? Are we willing to fully believe Christ’s words the way that Jesus completely believed The Father’s? If so, resurrection power and life – now and forever – is available to us.

1 Samuel 26:1-25; John 10:30-42; Psalms 116:1-5; Proverbs 24:26

OT: “Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah saying, “David is hiding on the hill of Hachilah opposite Jeshimon.” So Saul, accompanied by three thousand of the fit young men of Israel, went immediately to the Wilderness of Ziph to search for David there… Immediately, David went to the place where Saul had camped. He saw the place where Saul and Abner son of Ner, the commander of his army, were lying down. Saul was lying inside the inner circle of the camp with the troops camped around him… That night, David and Abishai came to the troops, and Saul was lying there asleep in the inner circle of the camp with his spear stuck in the ground by his head. Abner and the troops were lying around him. Then Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy to you. Let me thrust the spear through him into the ground just once. I won’t have to strike him twice!” But David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him, for who can lift a hand against the Lord’s anointed and be innocent?” David added, “As the Lord lives, the Lord will certainly strike him down: either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. However, as the Lord is my witness, I will never lift my hand against the Lord’s anointed. Instead, take the spear and the water jug by his head, and let’s go.” So David took the spear and the water jug by Saul’s head, and they went their way. No one saw them, no one knew, and no one woke up; they all remained asleep because a deep sleep from the Lord came over them.” (‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭26:1-2, 5, 7-12‬ ‭CSB)

David had been anointed by Samuel to be king. He also had numerous confirmations of that anointing. He had an undeniable call on his life from God. But there was one thing standing in the way of that call and purpose being fulfilled: King Saul. Then an opportunity presented itself. It would seem to most people that God was making a way for David to remove the obstacle… that God was opening a door of opportunity for David to step into and claim his destiny. Yet, David was a man of integrity whose whole heart was after God. He was not willing to break one of God’s laws to see God’s purposes fulfilled. He was not an “ends justify the means” type of guy. He was not willing to take matters into his own hands and take what he believed was his. Instead, he trusted that if God desired for him to be King, God would remove the obstacle and give David the kingship. How many of us, once we get a word from the Lord or receive a calling, are willing to wait for the Lord’s timing? Many people move forward to take what has been promised to them and end up getting ahead of God and sacrifice their integrity along the way. It’s really tough to be patient and wait on the Lord. There have been numerous times in my life where I have gotten a word from the Lord about something… and everything within me wants to move forward… but this story of David has always reminded me to wait on the Lord and trust Him… and time after time, the Lord has moved mountains and given me what He has promised to me in a way that glorifies Him and sets me up for success. God’s way is the best way.

Psalms: “I love the Lord because he has heard my appeal for mercy. Because he has turned his ear to me, I will call out to him as long as I live. The ropes of death were wrapped around me, and the torments of Sheol overcame me; I encountered trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: “ Lord, save me!” The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is compassionate.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭116:1-5‬ ‭CSB)

God is always faithful to those who place their faith and trust in Him. When, instead of trusting in our own strength and understanding, we call out to the Lord – He is gracious (He gives us His grace, strength, understanding, endurance, etc.), righteous (He does accomplishes what is needed in the right way), and compassionate (He treats us with love and care, like a parent to His children).

1 Samuel 25:1-44; John 10:22-29; Psalms 115:11-18; Proverbs 24:23-25

NT: “Then the Festival of Dedication took place in Jerusalem, and it was winter. Jesus was walking in the temple in Solomon’s Colonnade. The Jews surrounded him and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” “I did tell you and you don’t believe,” Jesus answered them. “The works that I do in my Father’s name testify about me. But you don’t believe because you are not of my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”” (‭‭John‬ ‭10:22-29‬ ‭CSB)

Jesus was in the temple celebrating the Festival of Dedication (also known as Hanukkah… Yes, Jesus celebrated Hanukkah) when He was surrounded by Jews who wanted to know if Jesus was indeed the Messiah. They wanted Him to go on record and say it plainly… yes or no. Jesus told them that He had already said it through His words and demonstrated it through His works… but the Jews didn’t hear His words or see His works because they refused to believe. Then He said something interesting… they didn’t believe because they weren’t His sheep… they weren’t of His flock and wouldn’t listen to His voice or accept His works. His sheep were given to Him by the Father. This response from Jesus opens up an age-old debate over an understanding of “the Elect” and the concept of predestination. We become part the Lord’s flock through faith… but we have faith because we have been chosen by the Father to be in the flock. Which is it? It’s almost like asking the proverbial question, “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” Are only those chosen by the Father able to have faith, or can anyone enter by faith and therefore be chosen? Does the Father give irresistible grace to those of “the elect” or does salvation hinge completely on individual responsibility and our own ability to believe? Can a person lose his salvation, or is it “once saved always saved?” This is a mystery that has been debated for centuries. Through all the understanding that I have received over the years, it seems like the truth isn’t “either-or” but more of a balanced “both-and.” Both divine grace and individual responsibility are involved. All humans are created with the ability to have faith in God and God created all of humanity with a pre-destiny of being among the Lord’s people. However, we all have our own will and have the ability to accept or reject the grace of the Lord and the destiny He has for us. God the Father, in His eternal nature and omniscience, knows all and sees all, but He doesn’t force, manipulate, or cajole us in one direction or another. And in that moment, when we humble ourselves and activate, through a deep desire to know God, that ability in us to believe God’s word, God adds grace to that faith and substantiates our membership in His fold of the faithful. And we can be sure, that God will keep us in His fold as long as we desire to be kept.

Psalms: “The Lord remembers us and will bless us. He will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron; he will bless those who fear the Lord — small and great alike. May the Lord add to your numbers, both yours and your children’s. May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. The heavens are the Lord’s, but the earth he has given to the human race. It is not the dead who praise the Lord, nor any of those descending into the silence of death. But we will bless the Lord, both now and forever. Hallelujah!” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭115:12-18‬ ‭CSB)

The blessing of the Lord isn’t just to the priesthood of Aaron or the nation of Israel. The blessing of the Lord reaches all who fear the Lord… all who place saving faith in His word and lovingly obey His will and follow His ways. The earth was originally placed under the stewardship of the human race, and all humanity has been created with a pre-destiny of sharing in the Lord’s inheritance and ruling and reigning with Him. That pre-destiny becomes an eternal reality through faith. And those who endure by faith will live to praise the Lord, not just now, but for eternity.

1 Samuel 24:1-22; John 10:11-21; Psalms 115:1-10; Proverbs 24:21-22

NT: ““I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, since he is not the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep, leaves them and runs away when he sees a wolf coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them. This happens because he is a hired hand and doesn’t care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. But I have other sheep that are not from this sheep pen; I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”” (‭‭John‬ ‭10:11-18‬ ‭CSB)

The forth “I AM” statement that Jesus made is tied to the third. Not only is He the Gate for the sheep, He is the Good Shepherd. He is not a hireling who is only out for personal gain and cares nothing about the sheep. He is the Good Shepherd Who cares so deeply for the sheep that He lays His life down for their benefit. By claiming to be The Good Shepherd, Jesus was claiming to be the Lord, the Good Shepherd of Israel that David so beautifully described in Psalm 23. He cares for His sheep, His protects His sheep, He leads His sheep to places of peace and abundance. But Jesus said that He wasn’t just the Good Shepherd of Israel – He had other sheep that were not from this sheep pen. When He said this, He was referring to those out of the gentile nations of the earth who would hear His gospel and place their faith in Him as well. Then, in Christ, genders, generations, and races would all be reconciled together as one people. As the Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:13-14, “But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility.” Those who truly follow the Lord and are members of His “flock” have no hatred or animosity towards others, for they have been reconciled through Christ’s life to God and to one another. Jesus’ life wasn’t taken from Him… He willingly laid it down for our sakes… and then He willingly defeated death and came to life again to continue shepherding His people to abundant and everlasting life.

Psalms: “Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory because of your faithful love, because of your truth. Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in heaven and does whatever he pleases. Their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. They have hands but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk. They cannot make a sound with their throats. Those who make them are just like them, as are all who trust in them. Israel, trust in the Lord! He is their help and shield. House of Aaron, trust in the Lord! He is their help and shield.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭115:1-10‬ ‭CSB)

The Lord God, the True and Living God, was the Good Shepherd of Israel. When God revealed Himself to the patriarchs and people of Israel, He didn’t do so through an image… He did so through His word that was given through a living relationship. I have walked the streets of a pagan nation and seen their idols of wood and stone, silver and gold. As I walked those streets, this Psalm came to mind… and my heart broke for the people of that nation. Those idols that they offered sacrifices to were lifeless… and behind them were demonic spirits intent on keeping the people of that nation enslaved to meaningless futility. The Lord God, the Good Shepherd, is not a lifeless chunk of carved stone… He is alive! He is not some evil spirit intent on our demise… He loves His people dearly and desires to lead them to abundant life! So I expand the call that the psalmist gave to Israel and the House of Aaron, and I say: Nations of the world… people of the world from every language, race, and ethnicity, Trust in the Lord! He is our help and our shield!

1 Samuel 23:1-29; John 10:1-10; Psalms 114:1-8; Proverbs 24:17-20

NT: ““Truly I tell you, anyone who doesn’t enter the sheep pen by the gate but climbs in some other way is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought all his own outside, he goes ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they know his voice…” Jesus said again, “Truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the gate. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.”” (‭‭John‬ ‭10:1-4, 7-10‬ ‭CSB)

The third “I AM” statement that John recorded Jesus giving was, “I AM the Gate for the sheep.” First century shepherds in the middle-east kept their sheep in folds during the night to keep them safe from predators. The fold was wall of stones that would surround the sheep, with an opening that would allow the sheep to enter and exit. At night, the shepherd would lay his body down in the opening of the fold and was literally the gate that kept the sheep in and the thieves and predators out. Sheep grew accustomed to the voice of their shepherd and could distinguish it from other voices… and so they would only follow the sound of their shepherd. Therefore, a thief couldn’t lead a sheep away from the fold. Jesus is the gate and the fold that guards is the fold of salvation through faith in Him. The only way into the fold is to go through the gate – and the only way into true and lasting salvation is to go through Christ. Those who truly are Christ’s disciples listen only to His voice… and by listening only to His voice, they are protected from being led away by the thief into deception and ultimate death.  As disciples of Christ, we must know what the voice of the Lord sounds like… and that only comes by hearing His words and obeying His words. Once we know the voice of the Lord, we will also be able to discern the voice of the thief. The only purpose of the thief (the devil) is to steal people away from the protection of the Shepherd, kill them, and destroy their lives and their legacy. Jesus, on the other hand, has come to offer and secure abundant life to all who place their faith in Him and follow Him.