THE BIBLE – TODAY’S TREASURE HUNT
COMMENT FOR PENTECOST 5 – O9-07-06
2 Samuel 5: 1-5, 9-10
At Hebron thirty year old David is anointed by the elders of Israel as king, chosen by the Lord to be “shepherd” of the people. But then he attacks and takes he stronghold of Zion, Jerusalem, and it is called the City of David. Can we distinguish between the emerging understanding of the Spirit of God at work, and the result of cultural pressure at the time?
Psalm 48
This is a hymn in praise of God. The covenant people spend a hallowed hour in the house of God. Everything – the Temple, Jerusalem, and the Mountain become the stronghold for the people of God. So the reality of God becomes known to other nations, and finally the power of God continues after death, so there are no limits to the power of this reality.
2 Corinthians 12: 2-10
Paul’s deep sincerity shows in the way he is prepared to talk about himself. He has spiritual experiences which are quite beyond his power to describe. On the other hand he has a “thorn in the flesh” which torments him. He prayed for a miracle of healing for himself. Then he comes to understand that his own weakness really draws attention to the spiritual energy of his life in Christ.
Mark 6: 1-13
Mark is trying to show that in Jesus the Kingdom of God really changes everything. There is spiritual energy in his life and words. In his home town synagogue people first accepted Jesus, then resented and rejected him. Jesus explains that the spiritual power of God needs acceptance and faith for the energy to flow. “Your faith has saved you, go in peace”. That also goes for to-day.
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