My first impression is to figure it the connection between these two scriptures. David in the desert about to die and on the run from his enemies wondering where God is. Then, in a letter to the Philippians, God comes to earth in Jesus to live, due, and rise for everyone. Jesus is the master to cry out to. Perhaps this is a juxtaposition of texts to express that there is a messiah who is more than a neighbor. A friend that sucks closer than a brother. A king that died for his subjects, even those who didn't care for him, wasn't him, or even know him. He died for everyone from the voice crying out in the desert to the unborn child in the womb.
Day 43
Because Jesus said so
Jesus gave clear instructions and words to use for his disciples. Being the word himself, the response they gave to the owner of the colt were enough to take the valuable animal from its owner. I remember hearing in church as a child that God owned the cattle of a thousand hills and the ground beneath their feet. Perhaps Jesus trapped into his birthright only to bring God glory such as tones like these. He recognized the fever pitch that the crowd of followers would be in and using his understanding of the Pharisees and the people around them, Jesus helped further seal his fate.
When the Pharisees tried to get Jesus to control his crowd, his response must have chilled them to the bone. If the very rocks of the earth would cry out at the cessation of the crowd's praise, the religious leaders could no longer doubt that this rabblerouser was the real McCoy.
Day 44
Jesus made decisions that no other human could. He humbled himself on earth and God exalted him above all.
Then the church began. Paul writes to the Corinthians and they have already started moving away from how Jesus called his disciples to live and commune with each other.
Day 45
Death
After years of reading and even watching this part of the passion, the story never gets old to me.
It is this post that Jesus quietly and resolutely faces his accusers and killers. A pastor once took the time to lay out the real world details of this scene. After being whipped, his flesh torn open, a people robe was found with which to mock Jesus. After a time, it was taken off.
Now, imagine a band aid that had been applied to a wound larger than the middle of the band aid. When the band aid is removed, the adhesive of the band aid is going to pull against the open, raw wound. Imagine your entire body being and open wind and the cloth on your back having dried to your body. A huge band aid. Then the soldiers came and "removed" this cloth. It was not a gentle peeling away but surely a mighty and uncaring ripping which reopened the gashes of his flesh.
And he didn't say a mumbling word. Not to those soldiers.
Day 46
Those who refuse to believe are damned...Those who refuse to believe Jesus rose? There are so many incredulous things that happen in the bible and in our lives that, even if and when they happen to us it is hard to accept. But here, Jesus is stern and clear. After the disciples have repeatedly been told that their Master has risen, he finally has to tell them himself. He knows that these people will be the last to see him as he is. It is crucial that they understand that believing goes beyond seeing.
It is crucial for us. The tomb is empty. Believe!
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