Lectionary for 10/31/08

Today's readings are Deuteronomy 32.28-52 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Deut.+32.28-52 ), Matthew 20.17-34 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Matt.+20.17-34 ), and Deuteronomy 33.1-29 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Deut.+33.1-29 ).

As we read today we see God's promises.  Look at his great love as shown in Deuteronomy 32.  See what our Lord is doing?  He is killing his enemies, and not the kind of sorrowful just mercy killing we picture of the sad farmer who shoots his dog after the dog is caught in the hen house.  This is the violent frenzy of a warrior brutally killing man after man in hand to hand combat, sword dripping with gore, garments soaked in blood, furious for more.  So great is the Lord's love for his righteous name.  He will jealously defend his righteousness, utterly destroying all who try to stand against him.

Wait, you say, this isn't God's love!  It's madness!  But it is the requirement of the word God has given.  He is the Lord and there is no other.  Our God does not have rivals.  He alone is the one who created and sustains all things by his word.  He made the world and all that is in it, including all his decrees which he has given to people.  Our responsibility is to keep all his decrees perfectly or we are not his people.  The soul who sins must die.

So where is God's love in all this?  Matthew 20.28 tells us that "the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."  Jesus, that perfect Son of Adam, the true man, has come to ransom us.  He himself has come to receive the wrath of God.  As God defends his righteousness, he pours out his righteous judgment on his own son, rather than on all of sinful humanity.  Jesus Christ becomes our sin bearer.  We are no longer subject to God's wrath, but subject to his love.

For whom does Jesus give his life?  Throughout the New Testament, whenever "many" is stated without a noun it is compared to either "few" or "none."  It is the opposite.  It means "everyone."  Yes, as uncomfortable as we may be with this reality, it is precisely what the Bible says.  All have sinned.  Jesus gave his life to ransom them.  It is finished.  Christ has paid the penalty for my sin, for your sin, for the sins of all who are far off to the thousandth generation.  Nothing we can or will do appropriates the atonement.  It is poured out for us.  We merely hear and believe.  Christ died for your sin.  Believe it.  It is real.