Sunday, June 21, 2015

what Jesus did

today's readings: 2 Kings 1:1-2:25, Acts 13:42-14:7, Psalm 139:1-24, Proverbs 17:19-21

what impacted me today was a logical contrast between what Elijah did and what Jesus did.

when the fifty soldiers go up the hill to where Elijah is sitting and are going to arrest him, he calls down fire from heaven and destroys them. the king sends fifty more, and Elijah burns them to a crisp as well. finally God says "go with this next group" so he does. he gives the king the same message, and the king dies.

when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus, He could have done the same thing. all of Elijah's miracles were precursors to Jesus's. but Jesus chose not to. He mentioned a couple times that the people condemning Him to death had no power over Him, and that He could call down legions of angels at any moment. we see a glimpse of what that would have looked like in the story of Elijah. and the fiery chariot comes to take Elijah away... which is a foreshadowing to the Ascension of our Lord.

thank You, Jesus, for choosing to submit to the will of God, who also told YOU not to be afraid, but to go with the men who came for You... so that we can come with You on your fiery chariot.

1 comment:

Julie said...

You nailed it. My thoughts exactly. The powers and authority but compassion by Christ is stupendous.