THE LORD SPOKE (February 07)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Exodus 37-38

Much of what we read in Exodus 37 and 38 is a repetition of material already given in chapters 25, 27, and 30. Why is this? Matthew Henry, a venerable commentator still of much value, reminds us that Moses “used no vain repetitions; there are no idle words in scripture”. He then suggests four reasons why these chapters are here for us:

1. “Moses wrote primarily for the people of Israel, to whom it would be of great use to read and hear often of these divine and sacred treasures with which they were entrusted.... That which they ought to read again (lest they should fail of doing it) is written again and again.”
2. “Moses would thus show the great care which he and his workmen took to make every thing exactly according to the pattern shown him in the mount.... And thus he teaches us to have respect to all God's commandments, even to every iota and tittle of them.”
3. “It is intimated hereby that God takes delight in the sincere obedience of his people, and keeps an exact account of it, which shall be produced to their honour in the resurrection of the just. None can be so punctual in their duty, but God will be as punctual in his notices of it.”
4. “The spiritual riches and beauties of the gospel tabernacle are hereby recommended to our frequent and serious consideration. Go walk about this Zion, view it and review it: the more you contemplate the glories of the church, the more you will admire them and be in love with them. The charter of its privileges, and the account of its constitution, will very well bear a second reading.”

New Testament: Mark 10

You don’t have to be wealthy for wealth to keep you out of the kingdom of God. True, Jesus said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:23). But the problem isn’t the quantity. It’s the fixation. If you focus on wealth, you can’t focus on God. It’s not possible!

That’s the moral of the story about the rich young man in Mark 10. He begins his question to Jesus with, “Good teacher”. The Lord’s answer could be misunderstood to mean, “Only God is good. I’m not God. So you shouldn’t call me good.” But no - that’s not at all what Jesus is saying. His words are, “Only God is good. By calling me good, are you acknowledging that I’m God?”

That’s what it takes! Anything less isn’t good enough to enter the kingdom of God. Rich and poor alike must enter the same way - by placing their total reliance upon God as their only hope for salvation. So, while a good god demands obedience to His commandments, that isn’t the key to entry. Good deeds won’t get you in. Neither can wealth buy you eternal life. In fact, be careful! It’s a greater hindrance than help.

Typically, Peter is the one who piped up (10:28). “How about us? We’re good aren’t we?” Jesus’ answer (10:29-30) lays it out clearly:

1. Make sure of your motivation. If it’s done for anything other than “me and the gospel” it’s worthless.
2. The reward is certain. This is a “truth”. There will be rewards in this life for sacrificially following the Lord.
3. There will be a price to pay. This is also a “truth”. Persecution will certainly accompany this choice. There will be obstacles to make you doubt. The Devil will make sure of that!
4. The end result will be eternal life. That life is described elsewhere but it is rich, fully rewarding, and worth it. It will be beyond your wildest imagination (I Cor. 2:9).

Upon hearing all this, the rich man in our story turned back. How about you? Are you still first in line to join up?