THE LORD SPOKE (January 08)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Genesis 20-22

“I learned to not grasp things too tightly because it hurts so much when God pulls your fingers apart.”
- Corrie Ten Boom

Abraham would probably say the same thing. After waiting so long for the birth of his son Isaac, it seemed quite natural to hang on to him. Genesis 22 begins by saying “God put Abraham to the test” and such a test it was! Not the kind you’d ever choose to go through for yourself.

It was a test of obedience. “Early the next morning” (vs. 3), Abraham set out to do what God had said. There were no arguments, no pleading, no hesitation. The account plods inexorably forward right up the point where Abraham raises the knife. A little set of trusting eyes were on him the whole time but all the eyes of heaven were watching too.

It was a test of faith. Abraham didn’t come easily to this point. The Bible never indicates that he’d doubted like Sarah but he’d certainly wondered and asked his own questions (e.g. Gen. 15:8; 17:17). Yet when the moment arrived he didn’t waver. He told the servants to wait “while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you” (Gen. 22:5). He didn’t know that, except by faith. God had told him to sacrifice his son. The writer of Hebrews clarifies it by telling us that “Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead” (Heb. 11:19). If God really did want him to slay his son then He would just have to resurrect him afterwards. Abraham was sure he would come back down off that mountain with his son. What faith!

It was a test of love. The angel of the Lord says, “Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” (Gen. 22:12). The “fear of God” is not a state of terror or panic. It is a sense of reverential awe. Apprehension is replaced by loving trust for you recognize God’s awesome power and sovereignty.

Abraham’s faith that God would provide the solution (Gen. 22:8.14) brought about yet another reinforcement of the Promise at the close of the chapter. It’s instructive to track the pronouns used by the angel of the Lord in what he says to Abraham. You can’t escape the conclusion that, in fact, the angel of the Lord is the LORD Himself. Did Abraham recognize that voice? After all, he’d heard that angel of the Lord speak before back in chapter 18.


New Testament: Matthew 8

Dealing with disease, demons, and death - all in a day’s work, if you’re the Master. No wonder He was tired and sleeping in the boat (8:24). It seems that everywhere He turned there was another challenge, another urgent request, another need to be met.

Most of the events in this and the next chapter take place in what has been called “the Evangelical Triangle”. Not that the Evangelicals invented it. It’s the region along the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee where the Evangel - the good news of the Gospel - was first sounded out. Capernaum is soon to become Jesus “own town” (9:1) and the center of His Galilean ministry. The warm springs that come into the lake near Tabgha/Heptapegon were a gathering place for fishermen. They were among the first that He called to follow Him. That makes sense. If you have warm springs, you have algae. Algae attracts fish. Fish attract fishermen. Jesus told them, “Come and I will make you fishers of men.”

The spot was also a good choice because of the political borders. While smack in the middle of “Jewish Galilee” it was on a major route that led to all points north. That’s why Matthew the tax collector was there (9:9-13). He could bank some big dividends off the tolls and border taxes the Romans wanted him to collect. Capernaum was an important Jewish town, somewhat separated from “Galilee of the Gentiles” but still on a thoroughfare.

Peter’s mother-in-law lived there in what becomes known as “Peter’s house” (did he inherit it?). That is a focal point for some of Jesus’ ministry. Less than a block away was the town synagogue, an impressive structure that dominated the center of town, not far from the sea shore. It was later destroyed and covered over with a magnificent white limestone building but even the black basalt original was large and impressive in its time. Several of Jesus’ miracles take place in or near it.

Even the local political authorities knew and respected Jesus. The centurion from Capernaum (8:5-13) demonstrated great faith and saw his servant healed as a result. Matthew leads us through a flurry of activity in this chapter (Mat. 9) but one small item should stand out. When the leper comes to Him and says, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean,” Jesus does more than say, “Of course, I’m willing.” He reaches out and touches the man. Do you realize what that means? Nobody touches a leper. They’re required to shout “unclean” and keep away from public places. But Jesus reached out and touched him.

Aren’t you glad He’s willing to touch uncleanness? What hope would there be for us otherwise?