Thursday, May 21, 2015

foreshadowing the Kingdom

today's readings: 1 Sam 29:1-31:13, John 11:55-12:19, Psalm 118:1-18, Prov 15:24-26

in the OT reading today, we see a foretaste of Jesus's laborers parable. Jesus told the story of the men who were hired to go out into the fields and work at different times of the day, and then they all get paid the same wages. this seems unfair to those who worked longest, but Jesus points out that they can't fault the man who hired them just because he felt like being generous.

David does something similar today. some of his army grows tired in their pursuit of the enemy, so they watch the equipment while the rest of the army chases down the enemy and kills them. they get all of their belongings back, and the men who fought don't want to share with the men who watched the equipment. but David tells them to share.

this is a concept we should take to heart, because it tells us what the Kingdom of God will be like. God's generosity will extend to some mighty questionable characters. He will be bringing people into His kingdom that some of the holier folks will raise their eyebrows about. but His mercy is new every morning. and it's a good thing, because if He sees fit to let me into His kingdom, i'm sure i'll raise a few eyebrows myself.

God, thank you for your mercy, foreshadowed in the OT, and brought to fruition in the New.

2 comments:

Julie said...

Like minds that's what I was going to talk about.....but you said it better. Thanks

Unknown said...

My Dad responded to my question about being perfect by saying that nothing is absolutely perfect, especially people. He would continue by saying that being perfect within tolerance is acceptable.