Lectionary for 3/12/08

Today's readings are Exodus 4.1-18 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Ex.+4.1-18 ) and Mark 15.1-15 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Mark+15.1-15 ).

 

There is a stark contrast in today's readings.  In Exodus 4, God sends Moses to Pharaoh, giving him the power to show several signs which will prove that he was sent by the Lord.  Moses clearly does not wish to go.  He doubts God's provision and fears the situation he will be placed in.  He wishes to have not only God's defenses, but some of his own, which he does not seem to have.  Moses is failing to love and trust God's provision.  He is essentially exalting himself as the judge of whether the wisdom of God is wise or not.  This brings God's anger upon Moses, as it brings God's anger upon us when we fail to trust the Lord.

 

In Mark 15, we see quite a different picture. Jesus, on trial before Pilate, affirms that he is the "King of the Jews" and then refuses to defend himself against the charges the priests bring against him.  No doubt, some of the charges brought against him are true and some are false.  But Jesus steadfastly refuses to answer the charges, leaving his affirmation that he is the King of the Jews as his final defense.  Jesus is trusting the Father's provision perfectly.  He does not need further wisdom.  He does not need other intervention.  He does not need to make a defense separate from that made by the Father. 

 

How different our Lord and Savior is from us.  While we strive to defend ourselves, cover our tracks, make sure we are, or at least appear to be, in the right, our Lord simply states the truth and leaves it at that.  How many of our life struggles, theological disputes, and church conflicts would be resolved if we would allow God to be God and see ourselves as subject to his command and his wisdom!  We need not defend God's wisdom.  We cannot do so adequately, and in doing so we often go beyond what our master has said.  And when we strive to defend our beliefs and practices, how often we try to do it using our own reasoning rather than simply standing on what the Scripture says. 

 

Lord, change our hearts, that we may love and trust you, knowing that all you have done and said is good and sufficient.