WATCHWORD:
For just as Jonah was 3 days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the son of man be 3 days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Matthew 12:40
Meditation:
This Side of the Resurrection
Can’t you just hear our Lord and Savior, having been challenged by the Pharisees and the scribes, who wanted to see a sign from him that would somehow authenticate what they had been hearing about Jesus healing the sick. They wanted verification that this was someone that they should listen to. Instead, Jesus warns them that only “an evil and adulterous generation” would seek proof, a sign. So he accommodates them with a prophecy.
In the contemporary musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, there is a scene where Herod is singing a song that carries this refrain: “Show to us that you’re no fool, walk across my swimming pool.” in effect, that’s what the Pharisees were asking and, in response, Jesus quotes from the Book of Jonah, for them a well-known prophecy, and it made no sense … at the time.
On the other hand, we who are on this side of the resurrection, and know the rest of the story, we have a much better understanding of the point Jesus was making. We have no sympathy for the denseness of the Pharisees, who simply did not want to believe that here was someone truly was from God. ‘Why, if we accept this man and what he teaches, it will simply undermine our self-righteousness and authority.’
Here we are on the second Wednesday of lent. We aren’t interested in tricks to undergird our faith. How does that favorite hymn go? “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.’ That is the foundation for our faith. Remember what Paul has said, “I can only preach Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” His hope, our hope; his faith, our faith is build are nothing less than Jesus’ blood. We look to the cross from whence comes our faith.
I’ve heard it said that when we get to heaven, we will have no need of faith because all will be revealed. On this side of the resurrection, we have an amazing gift and promise that undergirds what we believe, our faith. Good Friday is weeks away, but Sunday follows. So be it.
Encouragement:
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness, I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus Name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.
A Prayer of Dedication:
Almighty God, You have made the earth and everything in it. You change the times and seasons; You set up leaders and You depose them. You give wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. We choose to submit to You, to follow in obedience with the strength You have provided. Now may the eyes of our hearts be enlightened to know the hope to which You have called us, the riches of our glorious inheritance in the saints and Your incomparable power at work on our behalf, and Jesus name, amen. AJM
