Lent Week 3

Psalm: Psalm 19
Old Testament: Exodus 20:1-17
Gospel: John 2:13-22
Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

I am really struggling with today’s Scriptures, not because they are individually challenging, but taken as a whole I’m left trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.

I know I haven’t been discussing the Psalm the last few weeks, but Psalm 19 deserve our attentions.  First, the imagery is absolutely amazing; “The heavens use no words…Yet their voice goes out into all the earth.”  Secondly, this Psalm has been used historically to argue for a geocentric view. (The sun revolves around the earth)  Look at verses 4-6 for the wonderful metaphor of the sun coming out of its tent each morning like a bridegroom.  Having been recently married I think this image is appropriate since I couldn’t the goofy yet I’m sure radiant smile I wore my wedding day.  Finally and real briefly, look at the structure of the Psalm.  Verse 1-6 speak of creation, 7-9 praise the Law, and 10-13 return to creation as a metaphor for the Law.  We, in the Church tend to have a negative view of the Law, but Psalm 19 challenges that because the Law, like creation, came from God.  The Lord is the author and creator of both, and both reveal who God is.

What we have in Exodus 20 is the Ten Commandments; specifically, we have the first 3: You shall have no other God, Don’t make any idols, and don’t misuse the name of the LORD.  The beginning Commandments all revolve around our relationship with God.  Notice that all the commandments come out of the God who rescued them from slavery.  They served a God who was a God of relationship and covenant.  God was not distant, but was their God.  Thus, they were to serve and love God in the ways he set forth.

As we look into the New Testament it is hard for me to see much continuity with what we read in the Old.  That is not say for example that John 2 is disconnected from the Old.  In fact John 2 only makes sense in its continuity with the Old.  Notice that the disciples only “believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken” after his death and resurrection. (2:22) This actually leads us into the Epistle reading of 1 Cor.  The Gospel is foolishness to the wise and a stumbling block to the Jews.  Even the disciples who walked and heard Jesus were confused.  We who believe can only thank God for his grace and mercy and not hold our faith as our own.  It is God who has saved us.  Rationally, The Gospel is foolishness in irrational.  I for one thank God that my reason has been covered by his grace and God has been able to get through my thick skull and hard heart. 

So, to summarize, we have God the Creator of the heavens, the earth, and the Law.  God is also the God of relationship and covenant.  He is a God who gives his commandments to his people for their benefit.  In the New Testament Jesus shatters people’s expectation of who God and confronts people with foolishness of the Gospel.  How these relate, I leave for you to decide.  Maybe you can write your own blog and explain it to me.  Grace and Peace this week.  I pray this Lenten time will be a time of growth and rest for us all.