READING FOR MAY 16, 2024: GENESIS 32, MARK 1, PSALM 42 GENESIS 32 Jacob had the benefit of seeing angels on his way back to Canaan. This encouraged Jacob to consider the place God’s campground. Perhaps there is more going on in our lives at Yorktown than we normally perceive. In Revelation 1-3 we notice that the seven churches of Asia, even the unfaithful ones, each had their own angel. Let’s stay alert to the spiritual reality that surrounds us and know that we are not alone.
Now that the episode with Laban had been resolved, Jacob turned his attention to encountering Esau, yet another family member that Jacob tricked. First, he sent messengers to Esau. They returned with the ominous news that Esau was coming with 400 men. Upon receiving this disturbing information, Jacob prays to God, restating God’s words back to Him. When we pray God words back to Him, we know for certain we are praying in God’s will: “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14). Then Jacob sent ahead three waves of servants loaded with gifts for Esau in order to find favor with him. Finally, Jacob sent ahead his family and closest servants across the Jabbok River and remained on the other side by himself.
The subsequent great wrestling match between Jacob and the person variously identified as a man, an angel, and God is beautifully perplexing. Perhaps we can focus upon what is clearly factual rather than speculate about what is unstated. Here is what we know for certain:
- Jacob was alone at night when, according to Hosea 12:3, “He contended with God.” Question: Do we spend time alone with God in such quiet and intense moments of our lives?
- Jacob persevered (actually it says “prevailed”) with God until he received a blessing at daybreak. Question: Do we give up too quickly and easily in seeking God’s answers/blessings?
- Jacob given the name/identity of Israel: from ישר (yashar), to be upright, and from אל ('el), God. Question: Is our prime identity as a believer in Jesus or based on our work or family?
- Jacob had a life-changing, name-changing intimate encounter with God? Question: Have we experienced God first-hand or only know about Him from others?
- Jacob, like Paul, suffered permanent injury marking his dependency on God’s grace. Question: Are we always mindful that God’s grace is always sufficient, even in our chronic pain?
MARK 1 According to Mark, the beginning of the Gospel (good news) of Jesus starts with John the Baptist. That’s significant. First, we learn something about the nature of prophecy. We learn that Isaiah’s words were flexible enough for God to pour into it a specific fulfillment that would have been impossible for natural man to predict accurately. This should give us pause about predicting the end times in detail. As Isaiah said, God’s messenger did cry out in the wilderness and did prepare for Jesus’s arrival. However, what was this message that prepared for Jesus? REPENT: We must know we are lost before we can be saved. This might
READING FOR MAY 16 CONTINUED: MARK 1, PSALM 42 seem unloving. Yet, it is far more unloving to give a false impression that we are in good shape as we are. Let’s not fall for this trick of Satan and lead others away from eternal life.
John was a great man like Paul in that he knew his purpose in life and did not deviate from it. He understood he was speaking truth in the wilderness, never to be embraced in places of worldly power. He understood his message and ministry were only the first steps of the Gospel (good news) and did not go outside his lane. He admitted that the coming One would be far greater than he, just as the baptism of the Holy Spirit would be far more wonderful than his baptism of water. Can we be as bold, focused, and humble as John the Baptist?
Why was Jesus baptized? Only the Gospel of Matthew gives any explanation: “it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matt. 3:15). We do see in Mark, though, that after the baptism Jesus received the Holy Spirit and verbal commendation from the Father. Immediately the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan and served by angels. The boundary between the physical and spiritual world is not as solid as we think. Building on John’s message, Jesus’s began preaching the Kingdom of God, repentance, and believing the Gospel. He called His first disciples right off their jobs as fishmen, two pairs of brothers. Jesus always seems to call those who can work hard. They immediately answered Jesus’s call. Brothers and Sisters, Jesus says the time is now. Let’s follow Him immediately.
When Jesus reached Capernaum, he began a healing and teaching ministry. He healed many diseases and cast out demons. One wonders if demons use sneakier techniques today than the vivid manifestations Jesus defeated? Jesus’s teaching was considered new and authoritative. The teachers of that day taught from scripture or traditions from the Pharisees. This could be thought of as derived authority. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus stated, “You have heard it said...but I say to you...” Being God the Son, Jesus spoke on His own authority.
PSALM 42 The Psalmist had a thirst for God, a desire to appear before HIm. Do we long for God or at least long for that kind of longing. This wonderful desire seemed to be heightened by challenges: by those who mocked faith and by memories of less troubled worship. Do our trials and memories of a more vibrant faith community stimulate greater passion for God? That might be good. The Psalmist talks with his own soul. His cognitive self asked his spiritual self, “Why are you sad?” As a believer in Jesus, we know intellectually we have no reason to be depressed, but we are. Focus on God’s goodness surrounding us by day, if we have eyes to see, and His songs serenading us by night, if we have ears to hear. Yes, life is not easy, but question your soul, wait for God, and make concrete plans to praise God for His presence.
