Commuter Bible

We’re still working through a list of names, but thankfully things get a little more interesting this week as the lists are broken up by historical accounts and records of what people did and when. As someone who once worked retail and food service, I like the behind-the-scenes look at how the Levites and gatekeepers operated the maintenance of the temple in today’s reading. We’ll also hear a few tales of brave men in battle and their legendary accounts of heroism and valor. These men fought alongside David and were there to help him claim kingship over Israel as the Lord had ordained.

We’re reading through the genealogies handed down that trace God’s people from Adam & Eve up through the exile to Babylon. Remember that each name represents a lifetime and a family, real people with real lives who either trusted in the Lord or who were stiff-necked and rebelled against the Lord. Reading these genealogies juxtaposed against chapters from Ecclesiastes reminds me that one day you and I will just be names on a list to those who come after us, but what the Lord accomplishes in us and through us will not be forgotten by the One who formed us, redeemed us, and called us His own. How sweet it is to know that the Lord remembers His people by name.

Alright, real talk: this episode probably isn’t going to change your life, but there are some interesting little nuggets to be found in between the names and genealogies. For instance, there’s, “The Prayer of Jabez,” right? which, if you didn’t live through 90’s Christendom, is the title of a book that says you can be blessed with prosperity if you pray prayers like Jabez. Although the author probably lined his pockets with that book, the section on Jabez simply describes something that happened; it isn’t prescribed for all believers. You might as well say, “Pray Solomon’s prayer and you’ll be blessed with wisdom, a kingdom, and a temple!” It doesn’t quite work like that. Alright, let’s read some names, shall we?

Recall from our last episode that Amos is a blue collar guy who was sent from Judah to prophesy against Israel. During a time of wealth, the rich had grown greedy, proud, and complacent, assuming that no harm could befall them. In their pride, they failed to consider the Lord, righteous conduct, or just dealings, opting instead to oppress those of lower status and lounge in luxury. Through Amos, the Lord calls Israel to live a life of justice and righteousness, but because they are hard of heart, the Lord’s justice will pour out from upon those who have profaned God’s holy name.

Amos was a prophet from Judah who travelled away from his homeland to prophesy against Israel. As his introduction states, Amos was a shepherd by trade, but he received instruction from the Lord to go north to Samaria around 760 BC. It was a time of great prosperity for Israel, but many farmers had been reduced to poverty. The wealthy gave them loans that they could not repay, forcing these debtors into slavery whereby the aristocrats seized their lands. They felt that their city walls and citadels would keep them safe and secure from danger, but the God of Israel sees all and will exact justice on those who have neglected his statutes.

Among the many things that Luke illustrates in his record of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, is that all of it was in fulfillment of Scripture, including a number of references to Psalm 22. While sinful men sought to snuff out this king and his message about a coming kingdom, they in fact helped usher in the new kingdom by crucifying the Son of God. Then, on the third day, Jesus rose from the dead as He had prophesied way back in Galilee. The disciples eyes were opened to many things they had not previously understood, and the kingdom of heaven begins to spread in the hearts and minds of Christ’s disciples.

Looking back from our position in history, we often think of the kingdom of God through the teachings of Jesus and the lens of Scripture as a whole, but at the time of Jesus, things weren’t so clear for His original audience. When most thought about the Son of David, they assumed that he would be a king in the traditional sense. The Jews were excited that this king had finally arrived, and upon entering Jerusalem they erupted with praise & excitement. Little did they know that Christ’s kingship would establish eternal authority over the souls of men or that victory would come by way of the cross.

Our passage today includes a number of notable parables, some of which concern the nature of death and the afterlife. Jesus tells His disciples to enter by the narrow way, because the door to God’s household will soon be shut and those outside will be turned away regardless of their proximity to Jesus. He compares God’s table to that of a man who throws a banquet, only to be turned down by those he had invited, and therefore he invites the weak, the poor, and those who are far off. Later, Jesus describes the joy in heaven over the lost who have been found, and the agony of those who enter the afterlife having neglected the teachings of God.

Jesus and His disciples are on their way to Jerusalem where He will face the agony of the cross, but He has much to say and to teach before that hour arrives. When asked to define what it means to love your neighbor, Jesus tells a parable that would have shocked his audience, making a Samaritan the hero of the story rather than a Jew. Later, he teaches His disciples to pray, rebukes those who claim He uses demonic powers, pronounces seven woes upon the Pharisees, and finally, Jesus encourages his disciples to store up treasures in heaven, and not worry about the future.

Jesus continues to exhibit his power over illness, demons, death, and over Creation, and people continue to be in awe over what they see. Make no mistake: the people in Jesus’ day were not simpletons who would simply believe anything. Like you and I, they knew that what Jesus was doing seemed impossible, and they all had trouble wrapping their minds around it. Later we’ll jump into Ecclesiastes and hear from a completely exasperated King Solomon who can’t find satisfaction in anything on earth.