Lectionary for 10/9/08

Today's readings are  Deuteronomy 8.1-20 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Deut.+8.1-20 ) and Matthew 10.24-42 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Matt.+10.24-42 ).

Moses continues to address the Israelites in Deuteronomy 8.  And he points out what we all need to hear.  The Lord our God works good.  He brings his people into the land of promise.  He provides what they need.  All that we have, our houses, our fabulous kitchens, our wardrobe, our food - it all comes from our Lord.  It is not ultimately what we have provided but what God has provided. He showed that in a miraculous way among the Israelites who went for forty years without their clothes wearing out.  But he shows it to the rest of us on a daily basis in less dramatic ways.

What does Jesus say about that?  He says everything we need comes from the heavenly father.  Our Lord is concerned about all we need.  He knows our need and he knows exactly how he is going to provide for our need.

God's provision for his people is not according to man's wisdom.  He didn't keep the Israelites in shoes for forty years in the wilderness by providing shoe stores.  He didn't use any means which made sense to the Israelites.  He simply took care of them.  Likewise, our Lord and Savior has come in the flesh, taking on the nature of a human but not a fallen human.  He told people to follow him, to believe him, and then he conquered death by dying in a painful and degrading way.  In man's wisdom we try to cling to this life and the things of this life.  In God's wisdom we go willingly to our death, following Christ, knowing that he will continue to provide everything we need.  And our Lord has risen from the dead.  Surely he will bring his people to the realization of their eternal provision through resurrection.  What do we have to fear?  Only that we will try to do all we need on our own terms, rather than on God's terms.

Let us rejoice in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who has risen from the dead.  He will surely put our mortal bodies to death and raise us again to newness of life.