‘And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose’
On Tuesday morning I started work on a late shift, which has the added bonus of meaning you are less pressured in the morning, facilitating more time to read and contemplate.
Reading Matthews gospel Ch 19 v16-26.
The scene is one we can all relate to. If a child was brought into the houses of parliament to give a speech or to cast a vote we would consider it ill informed and inappropriate. If a child stood up to preach, we would consider it the wrong order, a child has not got sufficient life experience.
Yet, here, Jesus again, following Ch 18, turns are thinking on its head.
In this scene, we presume that it is mainly the parents who are desiring Jesus to lay his hands on them and pray, with the mother of Zebedee following in suit.
Perhaps my speculation here is an attention to detail to much, but the narrator of the narrative here, does not specify that Jesus prayed for the children, only that he laid his hands on them and went away!
Now we know that all scripture is inspired of God, and in respect to the economies of Gods word we know that in all detail and its omission is inspiration.
Jesus we know taught his disciples to pray! I have no doubts that Jesus prayed for these children, upon whom he laid his hands. What prayers he may have prayed is a meditation for another occasion.
As I consider this verse, 15, my thoughts take me to Calvary. Jesus has stated that to such belongs the kingdom of heaven. When he states this he is not using an analogy his statement is literal and they are transparent true words. Obviously, the ‘to such’ incorporates all who are teachable and all who come to him in simplicity as a child, irrespective to age.
At Calvary those same hands that were laid upon these children, were nailed outstretched upon a wooden Cross.
This willing surrender, while possessing all power, speaks to us concerning the will of God being greater than the will of man. We know that God will not overrule the will of a man, in respect to whom he worships! But the will of God is greater than the will of man. The will of God is greater for many obvious reasons, but it is mysteriously greater because despite the rebellion of man towards his reign he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, that he might become the captain of mans salvation.
And in respect to worship, all shall on that day, not through compulsion but through design, and though some shall have chosen other things to rule over their lives, through design confession shall be made to the mystery that is greater than the hardness of mens hearts, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow.
Every tongue shall confess that love was a mandate fit for purpose fit for design, meet and right. No man shall have an argument, which is why hell will have its torment, the decisions of the heart having passed from the temporal.
What God has joined let not man separate, and having reconciled all things to himself at Calvary, to reject the Immanuel is to reject the ‘all’ of possible for the redundancy of the finite self.
At Calvary the same hands….
And he laid his hands on them and went away.
Jesus ascended from the mount of Olives, but the work of atonement was finished when heexpired at Calvary: ‘It is finished’ followed by ‘Into thy hands I commit my Spirit’.
And though he rose three days later, his message had always stated that he would be departing from them so that he would send another helper to them, the Spirit of application, the Spirit of truth, the witness to ‘all’ that has been done and accomplished.
And he laid his hands on them and went away. In measure I believe an inference here is given to the fact that Jesus is concerned with reproduction, with the redemption of the original. The Church as a corporate expression of God.
Recently, I was considering moments in which God has spoken to me and experiences of answered prayer etc! Yet, irrespective to the diverse manner in which God speaks, the most reassuring is when you hear Him, corporately through the Church, his body upon this earth. And that is not an acknowledgement of a lack of intimacy with the Lord, no, I believe that is through design. Knowing that God inhabits the brethren, within the nuclei of the Church is pivotal to the Logos of God – this is the very reason ‘He’ went away!
The purpose of redemption, is that man, descended from Adam, is again given the ability through free will to believe the word and work of God – that indeed he is good and that his mercy endureth forever. That Christ be formed in that man, unto the full stature of the high calling of God.
When Jesus laid his hands on the children, brought unto him, he is showing his 12 apostles the building blocks of the new Jerusalem, that this is the pattern and structure: For of such is the kingdom of God.
From generation to generation.
This is the mandate of heaven, it is the sole reason the Lord chose Abraham, Moses and DavidAs he knew that they would be faithful to pass on the pattern and structure to their children and children’s children.
If our focus as a believer is the next generation, if it is the fostering of children unto Him, we sense and detect health for a nation. If our lives are given for children it turns the world upside down – we become truly pro life. We are no longer conditioned by natural selection and the survival of the fittest, but instead delighting in the light that is life in another.
In this focus is liberty for children. Liberty to be unique and expressive as the direction is always towards personal intimacy to Him: who inhabits liberty.
At the Cross Jesus had his hands outstretched so that all might come unto Him, and that all might hear him pray: ‘Forgive them’, ‘It is Finished’ and ‘Father, into thy hands I commit my Spirit’.
These are the great words of truth that every generation needs to hear, that they may be saved from evil. The proclamation from his newly established body upon this earth.
And in an age of defining evil as good that message is as pertinent now as when men crucified the prince of glory (1 Corinthians Ch 2 v8).
Stephen gave up his own life that another man may lay hands upon the final building block and hear the testimony to the message that Christ has come in the flesh, and that his mercy endures forever. With man it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
Why are you persecuting me – the Church!
1 Kings Ch 1 -3
The other passage read this week in scripture is from Kings. It is a remarkable passage as it contains the departure of David from his kingdom on earth, and the anointing of his Son Solomon as King.
In this passage of scripture we have a transition from one generation onto the next generation.
When David commands his son Solomon we get to the very heart and foundation of his City, or rather the building blocks that God has designed. It starts with a natural exhortation of a Father to his son. Of note here is that being a man means that you are on show!! This may appear to contradict Christian sensibilities regarding the great need for humility, but no, here it has a component that is speaking into that within a man that can recoil from battle and that can hand over the issues of life and death unto others! It isn’t a call to a sandwich board in the high streets 24/7 but rather in daily life and when it counts not to negate from taking your stand. Some men may pursue their careers, but fail to show themselves as men in the primary role of being the spiritual head of the home.
It may mean speaking to a school head or college about that which is good and evil, out of concern for the environment to which his children are in attendance. Simply Church attendance or even being engaged with the families finances, often delegated – which is not to be criticised of itself.
I love the way David transitions from his personal exhortation to the deeper and broader span of the necessity of keeping God as central. Here we immediately get more specific detail, because God is the instruction manual and source of life and that is the fundamental relationship that all hinges on.
Out of the window, straight away goes all trivial personal preferences and likes and dislikes. All quirks and quarks (inspired by a quirk of Murray Gell-Mann). All edges within the human sphere, all that separates the brethren from corporately being united and worshipping God. No matter how deep nor no matter how hurt. No matter what has shaped the response, and no matter where the initial damaged has come from within the human physique.
Here we see why Jesus left the recoded prayer to the Cross, he always knew for the Church to be birthed, to function and grow, it must have as its DNA – Forgiveness, It is Finished (forgotten and left behind not to be remembered – the sins of others against us) and in all things I commit my Spirit into your hands.
Out of the window, as it is instruction in the commandments. And we must learn this as a primary principle, Church is not about what I like personally. And within this principle is the girth of the oak tree and the strength imparted into Children to become all their DNA would have them to be liberally.
To give a little context, I have been a wee bit of a child in the realm of tithing. Yes, rationalising at times that money set aside for i.e. a Christian conference was indeed money that summed towards the tithe. But recently, I was challenged on the issue and I didn’t like it, not due to placing my hand in my pocket – just something ingrained in my humanity that didn’t like being streamlined. But the issue is obedience, and through obedience in this issue I have been blessed, in fact I will say that this post may not have been written if on this issue I had not obeyed a word spoken from within the Church. I’ve grown through the obedience and obedience is the seed that produces oxygen for the rest (Sabbath) of the world to benefit from, and which takes away the poison of personal dioxide – dying badly (David saying, dieing, is the way of all the earth) – the personal industry of living without his grace as the constant combustion.
(Personal industry, Paul yet breathing out threatenings – because he would not acknowledge his great need for grace to be the fuel of his engine, striving under the law to be righteous).
And through the obedience comes respect, to the ministry, to the Church and also yourself. Its a full circle. And as the children’s song goes ‘Obedience is the only ‘way’ to show that you believe’.
And the more I think about it the more I see Gods Windows in heaven in the very issue of tithing, it is not the way of the earth, nor a legally constraining odious necessity, it is a window into heaven and the kingdom to come (Matthew Ch 19 v27-30). It is integral to being a part of the corporate whole, and of being a part of the canopy reaching out for the light that is life. It most certainly is not access to golden streets of financial multiplication, oh no, it is to have your eyes and ears opened to the sound of Him within your brethren: Brother Saul, that you should be a blessing and strengthener of others faith in Him.
Abraham, the Father of our faith, obeyed the voice of the Lord and rose early to climb a mountain upon which he offered his only son. And God revealed to him that it is indeed true that the word of God never returns void, ‘God shall provide himself a sacrifice’ – the light that is life which conquered darkness – Gen Ch 1 v3.
Not surprising that from Children the narrative of the tax collector goes immediately to giving up your riches to the poor so that you may have the golden character of him who inhabits eternity. A financial prosperity gospel, is a childish adult gospel, at best. Can you imagine the impact into other lives, the lives of the next generation, of children if that rich young ruler had given it all up to follow Jesus. It would have been the talk of town, and a parting of the sea into other lives to see the main attraction: Jesus and him crucified, ‘All I Need’ Charles P Jones.
What a verse is three of chapter 2 of 1 Kings. We see the DNA of King David, the anointing had not mitigated the way of his fathers, no, it could not as all is passed down – when we come to Jesus as children. David had not slain Goliath with his eyes sealed by a dearth of binding commandments. David had won that great victory through obedience to his Fathers voice, taking bread and wine to his brethren. Obedience brings a spontaneity and adventure, an ability to show yourself a man, despite being a ruddy youth – Spiritual authority over powers of darkness – beats watching some pixel cartoon of He-Man.
Their is space and liberty in the words David is speaking to his son Solomon, their is freedom. The words are spoken rooted to relationship. Jesus used David as an example, as he walked through the fields on the Sabbath with his disciples he did not cede to the religiosity of men.
We then have a detailed Judgement concerning the hearts of men and their obedience to King David. David as the anointed king who would not touch the Lords anointed pronounces Judgement – it is impartial and in accord with the anointing. We hear the same principles through Gods chosen vessel Paul, who named those who had hindered and opposed and those who had encouraged and been loyal. We are not hidden in this respect, are manhood will be revealed and all that is spoken in secret will be known openly.
Now proceeding the transition from one generation to another, of a father to his son, of the kingdom and anointing – it is facilitated by a number of factors, not least Nathan the prophet.
But before that, we have Davids servants bringing warmth to the old King. Here we have the Church, and its servant (Eliezer) nature bridging the divide between generations – between old (Abraham) and young. This warming of the Kings heart had to be non sensual as all that follows from it is born out of the great warmth of the heart of God – in Davids old age his bed is being warmed by a virgin women’s obedience to the will of God: Be it unto me according to thy will. And in this women pave the way of Him who crushed the great enemy of life, who through fear of death held men captive. Women are not exempt from the exhortation to show themselves made in the image of God. The actions of David here with a beautiful women are the opposite to when he instructed his servants on a previous occasion.
(obedience to the will of God – through his people/Stephens appointment)
Now the Spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus. Matthew the narrator starts the gospel of the King of Kings, with King David and then Father Abraham. He pays special attention to the inclusion of the detail that Solomon was born to her who was the wife of Uriah: Such a man being shown to be a man in the genealogy of Gods Son.
And He was named, to save his people from their sins.
Nathan was the man who led David to repentance, and here the prophet is the stalwart of the testimony of the name of his Lord.
The repented sin of David as King of the nation, was redeemable with God. The first Child died, and the wages of sin are death. But through Jesus Christ, sin shall not have dominion over you.
Nathan was focussed on the generation of Jesus Christ, the covenant promises of God, that is why he followed not Abonijah nor refrained from confronting David with his sin.
The intercourse between David and Bathsheba in this narrative is full of dignity both their hearts are presented as being yielded to the redemptive purposes of God – in it we are seeing the generation of Jesus Christ – the true king of Israel.
The word of God must be upheld, the word of the king can not be spoken in vain, he to whom God had sworn with an oath. And is that not for a nation: The Word of God must be upheld, not just a hand rested on.
David is in the company of another beautiful women, but his heart is attentive to the heart of another who comes before him: what do you desire? His heart is warm and governed by purity not adultery. Here we see the initial foundation that was passed onto Solomon to govern a nation of people, to listen to the heart of another.
And when Bathsheba is called the second time, she bows her face, as she understands now why the Lord did not forsake his anointed. He was not a man, who when confronted by the prophet would not obey the word of the Lord, that save his people from their sins.
We have redemption stamped on this intercourse. Both were guilty for the fall, both should have been elsewhere. But on this occasion the women goes to him first carrying the seed of the word of prophecy, and then David calls her to affirm that that seed is indeed the original seed spoken to women. And Eve asked for another seed.
No partiality shown between the masculine and the feminine – no more blame attributed to the women by the man, but working together to ensure that the next generation understands the Word of the Lord that must be upheld.
Forgiveness, Finished and Family.
Is not the Bible the source of literature, of the arts; tragedy but ultimate triumph.
Scripture notes that Solomon loved the Lord, and the Lord responds to Solomons bowing, akin to David with Bathsheba. Here we have the culture of heaven, a sharing and serving in love – it is the bedrock of marriage and family.
It is not by chance that Solomons first demonstration of Gods enabling to govern is over the life of a baby, and the distinction between one mothers heart of sacrifice and another of sins selfishness.
The people perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do Justice.
And is that not the mandate of the Church – the manifold wisdom of God (Ephesians Ch 3). And that is a wisdom that excludes none, but which thanks God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
‘And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose’
N.B
The distinction between Solomon and Abonijah is distinct, Adonijah exalts himself, his own dioxide will. But Solomon comes to the Lord as a little child not knowing how to approach and how to go out. For of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Abonijah’s life was spared but the commandment which was life to him, in returning home, was not cherished. He returns to the two sources which contributed to his Father performing the will of the Lord – Bathsheba and the virgin Shunammite.
The generation of Jesus Christ does not corrupt men nor women, but rejoices in a new life through Jesus Christ: For this my son was dead – the hidden treasure, kept in reserve and made known when we return to our house, the place where we all come as children and sons unto a Father who knows are hearts desire before we even ask.
Sunday was a day of great blessing. On Saturday my work rota was 8am to 3:30pm. Given various factors I had determined not to book any overtime on Saturday, as I like to keep the day free. With being at a Christian Conference this week I had used the facility of flexitime to keep some holiday, which wasn’t being authorised anyway. This meant working days off prior to conference and with trips to Clatterbridge hospital for mums Radiotheraphy and working Sunday, I thought it wise.
However, on the Saturday throughout the whole course of the day, I felt fresh and alert and had a desire to do some overtime, until 5pm. On the Friday, it was advertised that double time was available between 4 and 6pm until April 30. This was a small factor too. Booking OT is self service unless its on the same day. So I asked my manager if they could put it in for approval. He said he would but left early without having got back to me (busy job). As my manager had gone early, it would have been easy to just finish at 3:30pm. But I wanted to earn the extra money, with a trip to Berlin next month for my cousins wedding being a additional expense etc. So I asked another shift manager and they got it approved.
When I came home my mum had a visitor, and given the sequence of her afternoon it really clicked with me that I had been guided by the Lord to do the overtime, as it was far better for mum to have been with the company without the added dimension of me around. It had really clicked, as prior to Saturday I had been tired and the desire to do the overtime had been grounded on an inward sense of liberty and refreshment.
Anyway, my first call on overtime was from a man called Simeon! My dyslexia called him initially ‘Simone’, and the customer rectified me, stating not many people have heard of his name! Well I said to that: ‘the holy Spirit revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Christ’, and went into Luke’s narrative and the number 6, and the angel Gabriel being a named type of Gods desire to share with humanity his own heart.
On Sunday evening I went to a local Baptist Church, the speaker was a visiting leader and son of the founder of a Christian organisation called ‘Care for the Family’. Given that family is Gods order and that he is sovereign over every call centre, certainly encourages one to call upon the name of the Lord.
I also found the afternoon teaching session very helpful indeed. I’m nearing 10 years of freedom from a particular vice. But within that time fame on rare occasions there has been captivity without full fruition. Sin in my life has usually always been the product of not understanding and applying into every context the necessity of submission to Church authority – that through this the root of male identity crisis meets with the healing, restoration and wholeness prescribed by a loving heavenly Father. But the latter section of this word spoke into some areas of it that are a mystery to me – where I couldn’t identify the root or the area of neglect that had preceded. This ground is actually more susceptible to the accuser, and his mandate of settling for less that what the Son speaks. I’m very grateful for it, for I know its spoken into an area within me that I don’t understand but one in which I needed to hear him.
Love covers a multitude of sins.
eternalrays 