In today’s John 4 reading, one of our main characters is a woman from Samaria. When I hear the term Samaria, two phrases jump into my mind. The “Good Samaritan” and the “Samaritan Woman”. Those who label Sunday school lessons or chapter headings don’t seem to toss in the adjective “good” for this one. Just woman. She’s not a man. She’s not a Jew. She’s not married. And she’s out fetching water at the old Jacob’s well (which was in Samaria at that time in history) when she runs across a weary Jesus.
We don’t know the exact reasons Jesus chose to travel through Samaria on his way from Judea to Galilee since he could have easily avoided the area the way “Samaritan-avoiding-Jews” were often known to do. We just know he did travel right through it, and when he asked a woman for a drink at the well, he was recognized as a Jew who would not be expected to interact with her socially. There seems to be some differing opinions among historians and commentators regarding the time of day for this drink, but that detail is not what matters. Whether on Roman time (around 6pm) or Jewish time (noon), we know that Jesus was intentionally interacting with a Samarian woman with a bit of a reputation in a public area, and we are given an account of that meaningful conversation. His words are what sparked the things she learned, what she said of him in the moment, and what she told Samaria about after he was gone. Not what time the old sun dial said when she was at the well.
Jesus allowed himself to be served by this woman, and in turn, by telling her about living water, by showing her he was willing to minister to her even with awareness of the past and present sins in her life, and by revealing himself as the Messiah to her, “many more believed (verse 41).”
This woman (I wish I knew her name just because I’m tired of typing woman, but that detail doesn’t matter either I guess, and Jesus himself calls her “woman”!) uses a number of terms for Jesus which evidence who he is and seem to increase a bit in honor:
Verse 11: Sir
Verse 19: Prophet
Verse 25: Messiah, Christ
And in verse 32 we see that the people she told about him call him “the Savior of the world.”
Jesus acknowledges being the Messiah, the one prophesied about for generations. When he answers in John 4:26 he said “I am he.” In Greek, the words “ego eimi”. The same words the blind man uses of himself a few chapters later in John 9. Jesus essentially said, “Yup, I’m that guy.” Not I am…..anything else. Not I AM YHWH. Not the Creator. Not …I am a coequal part of this mysterious triune deity thing. He said “I am he” referencing being: the Messiah. If Jesus speaks, I think his words deserve our critical attention in a world, even a Christian world, that is often careless with them.
The Samaritan woman knew he was the Messiah and proclaimed him to be who he was. In addition to the personal level of interaction and forgiveness we see in this story giving a beautiful taste of the personal aspect of salvation, our Messiah also referenced the gospel he came to teach, “. . .fruit for eternal life (v. 36)” . . .our inheritance in the coming kingdom of God! The hope for an imperfect Samaritan woman remains my hope as an imperfect American woman.
-Jennifer Hall
Reflection Questions:
Consider if there are any people or groups of people you could treat more like Jesus treated the Samaritan woman even if it goes against norms in your social group.
How can you better draw from Jesus’ living water in your life when you find yourself spiritually and emotionally “thirsty”?
Is there anything you need to share with God or others about what Jesus has done in your life the same way the Samaritan woman did?
Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.
2
You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.
3
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.
4
Yes, this will be the blessing for the man who fears the Lord.
5
May the Lord bless you from Zion; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
6
May you live to see your children’s children— peace be on Israel.
Today is a special day. It’s the birthday of my oldest grandchild, Scarlett. All of my grandchildren are precious and I love them all dearly. I can’t believe how blessed I am to have so many who call me Grandpa or Poppa or Poppy. Scarlett is the first to make me a grandparent. Psalm 128 names being able to see your children’s children a special blessing.
Reading this Psalm again touches me deeply and reminds me not to take things for granted like enjoying the fruit of your labor. Not everyone does enjoy the fruit of their labor due to war, disaster, or disease. We should not take the blessings we receive in life for granted. Life does not always go how we planned or wished. Not every man is blessed with a fruitful vine with a table surrounded by olive shoots. Not every parent is blessed to live long enough to enjoy their grandchildren. I’m currently battling some pretty serious diseases. One of my motivators to be healed is to enjoy my family… and honestly, I’d like to meet not only my grandchildren but also my great grandchildren in a few years.
I also want to see the prosperity of Jerusalem and peace in Jerusalem. That will happen when King Jesus returns. I’d like to be around to see that too. But if I should close my eyes in the sleep of death, I will see Jesus, and I hope my family, my church, and my friends at the first resurrection.
The blessings that await us at the coming of Jesus will be awesome. I want to see you there too. Don’t overlook both the promises or warnings in John 3:36 “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” Don’t miss out on the blessings that come through Jesus. May God bless you.
Pastor Jeff Fletcher
Reflection Questions
What are the blessings you have already seen? Thank God for them
What are the blessings you still hope to see before Jesus returns or you sleep in death?
What does Jesus’ return mean to you?
What is your greatest hope for the future? What do you need to do today to increase your chances of taking part in that future?
Most of the Psalms were written by David, but there are a few that were written by others. For example, Psalm 90 was written by Moses and Psalm 127 was written by David’s son, Solomon.
Today’s reading, Psalm 127 is what we will reflect upon. It offers wisdom about the wise raising of a family. I find some parts of Solomon’s teaching a bit paradoxical. Solomon’s father, King David, had 19 sons by his wives. The year before his father David died Solomon’s first wife Naamah gave birth to his one and only son, Rehoboam. She also gave birth to two daughters Taphath and Basemath. As far as we know from the Bible these are the only three children Solomon fathered. This is odd considering Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines. Solomon valued children and saw them as a reward from God.
A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.
Psalm 127
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
2
It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
3
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.
4
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.
5
Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
If Solomon valued children so much why didn’t he have more? The most likely answer is that Solomon’s next wife was the daughter of the Pharoah of Egypt. She worshipped idols and brought them into the royal palace. Many Biblical scholars believe that Solomon had no more children as punishment for allowing idolatry to enter his family.
Psalm 127 begins “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” The house referred to here is not a physical house or palace but a family or a household.
That strikes me as a very wise teaching. And yet Solomon’s actions weren’t very wise when he had 700 wives and 300 concubines. Another paradox is that in 1 Kings 3 Solomon asked God for the gift of wisdom. Because Solomon’s request of wisdom was very unselfish (he didn’t ask for riches or a long life, God agreed to give him what he asked for, wisdom and what he didn’t ask for: wealth, honor, and long life as long Solomon followed God’s commands.
This begs the question… how did God give him wisdom? Did he open up Solomon’s head and pour in wisdom, or was wisdom acquired over time? Perhaps Solomon grew in wisdom over time, when he realized that he missed out on the blessings of a large and fruitful family because he allowed idolatry to enter his home?
Solomon doesn’t quantify a number of children that qualify one as blessed. David had 19 sons. Solomon’s 1 son Rehoboam had 28 sons and 60 daughters (wow, that’s a lot of weddings to pay for).
My wife Karen and I have been blessed with 7 sons and 4 daughters (JJ, Jon, Joshua, Karee Anne (Gregory), Joel, Kailyn, Katie Beth (Mattison), Kass, Jordan, Josiah, and James). We also have been blessed with 16 grandchildren (soon to be 17). We are greatly blessed. My children (and their spouses) and grandchildren are precious gifts from God and I’ve always appreciated this Psalm. Of course, having a large family is not the only sign of blessing from God. However God chooses to bless you, receive it with gratitude and joy.
Peace, Grow, Love
-Jeff Fletcher
Reflection Questions
How would you put in your own words and explain Psalm 127 verse 1? Compare what a house/family built by the Lord looks like versus one built in vain. Consider the home you were raised in – which was it more like? Which do you want for a home/family you will/are or have raised?
What are some of the current views towards children that you have witnessed? Which ones would God agree with, which ones would he not?
As a child one song I enjoyed singing in church was called Bringing In The Sheaves.
1 Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness,
Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve;
Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
Refrain:
Bringing in the sheaves,
Bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves;
Bringing in the sheaves,
Bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
2 Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows,
Fearing neither clouds nor winter’s chilling breeze;
By and by the harvest, and the labor ended,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves. [Refrain]
3 Going forth with weeping, sowing for the Master,
Though the loss sustained our spirit often grieves;
When our weeping’s over, He will bid us welcome,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves. [Refrain]
As a little child I really had no Idea what the song meant. What were sheaves? Why did people go out sowing with weeping. What made them so sad? Why were people rejoicing while bringing them in?
Fortunately, Psalm 126 answers a lot of those questions.
Psalm 126
A song of ascents.
1 When the Lord restored the fortunes ofZion, we were like those who dreamed. 2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” 3 The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
4 Restore our fortunes Lord, like streams in the Negev. 5 Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. 6 Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.
The first half of the Psalm is a Song of Rejoicing. It likely refers to the time when Israel returned from their time in Exile. King Cyrus of Persia released the exiles in Israel and allowed them to return to Israel where they could live in freedom and rebuild the city of Jerusalem and the Temple. It was a time of rejoicing. It was a time of rejoicing, laughter, songs of joy. The surrounding nations could see how God did great things for them. Sadly over time Israel faced a whole new set of trials. So God’s people pray that once again God would step in and bless his people and restore their fortunes.
There was a time of drought that led to famine. The people were sad from their misfortune so they went out in faith with bags of seed to plant. It was an act of faith that God would supply abundant rain so that their seed would grow and be harvested so that they would carry back bundles… sheaves or grain. There would be laughter and shouts of joy in happy gratitude for God’s blessings.
Today, we go through times of great rejoicing at the blessings. November is a special time of celebrating God’s abundant blessings and rejoicing in God’s gifts. It can also be a time when we go through pain and loss. There’s a passage in Job that says “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21) Some times we go out weeping and, in hope plant seeds believing that God will give blessings.
Is today a day that you are going out weeping with seeds to sow, or is today a day that you come back rejoicing at what God has provided, carrying those seeds of blessing?
Trust that God will give blessings if we faithfully sow, even with tears.
Pastor Jeff Fletcher
Reflection Questions
Is today a day that you are going out weeping with seeds to sow, or is today a day that you come back rejoicing at what God has provided, carrying those seeds of blessing?
What seasons of sowing in tears have you had? What seasons of rejoicing in reaping have you had? Where have you seen God’s faithfulness?
Weddings are a lot of fun. I’ve been blessed to lead wedding ceremonies for 6 of my own children and over 100 other weddings over the last 40 years of ministry. Of all the weddings I’ve been involved in, the one that affected me most was the wedding of my wife Karen and me. In 11 days we will celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary- November 24, 1984.
Weddings hold a lot of meaning in the Bible. Abraham and Sarah’s son Isaac had a special wedding when he married Rebekah. Their son Jacob had a huge wedding surprise when he thought he was marrying Rachel but her father tricked him into marrying his older daughter Leah.
Jesus’ first miracle came at a wedding when Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding.
John 2:1-11
2 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”
5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.
8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”
They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”
11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
The symbolism of marriage can be seen throughout the New Testament. It begins in John 2 and makes an appearance in Matthew 22 with a parable of a King who has a wedding banquet for his son. He hosts a great banquet, but his invited guests refuse to come to the banquet. Instead, they mistreated and killed the king’s servants. So the king brings his judgment and wrath against the wicked.
Jesus tells a parable about the bridegroom coming to meet his bride for their wedding, but her wedding attendants were not ready and miss out on the wedding banquet (See Matthew 25).
Finally, the book of Revelation reveals the marriage supper of the lamb of God, when Jesus returns to claim his bride and celebrate his own wedding feast.
Revelation 19:6-9:
“6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,
“Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.
7
Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;
8
it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”—
for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
Who is the bride of Messiah Jesus? It is his Church. We are the bride of Christ and when Christ comes we will celebrate our union with our savior and king Jesus. So let us be prepared for this grand and glorious celebration with Jesus.
Jesus begins his ministry with a miracle at a wedding, and when he returns to earth there will be a great and final wedding feast. Don’t miss your great celebration. The greatest banquet in human history.
Pastor Jeff Fletcher
Reflection Questions
What are some of your favorite wedding memories? What makes them so precious?
Imagine what each of the characters at the wedding in Cana were thinking and feeling. Jesus and Mary were disagreeing as to if this was the right time for a first miracle. What do you think God thought?
Why do you think God chose a wedding banquet to compare with the church meeting Jesus at his return? How does a bride prepare for her wedding? How ought the church to be preparing to meet Jesus? Are there any details (or larger issues) that you may have overlooked in your preparations thus far?
There are 150 Psalms in the Bible. There are a variety of Psalm styles including Psalms of Praise, Songs of Thanksgiving,Songs of Zion, Songs of the Temple and Liturgy, Laments, Prayers, Petition, Trust, Wisdom, Songs about the Law, Royalty Songs and Imprecatory songs. One set of Psalms are called Songs of Ascent. The comprise 10% of the Psalms ranging from Psalm 120-134. These 15 Psalms are believed to have been sung during the three pilgrimages – Passover and Pentecost in the Spring and Tabernacles in the Autumn. As the Israelites ascended Mt. Zion and the Temple they were climbing to gather to worship so these were known as Songs of Ascents.
It is also believed that these 15 Psalms were sung by the priests as they climbed the 15 steps leading up to the temple.
if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us,
3
they would have swallowed us alive when their anger flared against us;
4
the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us,
5
the raging waters would have swept us away.
6
Praise be to the Lord, who has not let us be torn by their teeth.
7
We have escaped like a bird from the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped.
8
Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
This Psalm celebrates the source of their help when they came under attack from their enemies. Their source of help and protection is the Lord. Every time they gathered to celebrate these festivals in Jerusalem they remembered God’s saving hand.
For we Christians, we have no physical temple to make a pilgrimage to 3 times a year, but we gather each week to celebrate the different ways God saves us. Our help truly comes from the Lord.
I hope you regularly pray this Song of Ascents and with gratitude give thanks to God for his help and care.
-Pastor Jeff Fletcher
Reflection Questions
What does the Psalmist thank God for that did NOT happen to them – because the Lord was at their side? We often worry about what could happen – but how much time do we spend thanking God for what didn’t happen?
Today what will you thank God for that didn’t happen? How will you remember God’s care for you and for others?
What do you like to listen to when you travel? How can your song selection help or hinder your thanks to and worship of God?
How can you celebrate and share with others what God has done?
Last week in the United States we had our election for President. For months people campaigned on behalf of the candidates. There were debates, speeches, and interviews.
2000 years ago in Israel, there were questions surrounding potential leaders. One man who had developed a large following drew interest in from the leaders who sent religious leaders to question who he was. He made it clear who he was not.
John 1:19-34
19 Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”
21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”
He said, “I am not.”
“Are you the Prophet?”
He answered, “No.”
22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”
24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
26 “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
John Testifies About Jesus
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”
32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”
John made clear that he was not the one, he was not the Messiah, the King. John made it clear that Jesus was the true King. God himself declared that Jesus was revealed to be the savior of the world. Jesus was God’s chosen. He was God’s sacrificial lamb who would take away the sins of the world.
John was a man of great humility. He did not pursue power and glory. His call was to witness the truth about God’s true savior.
Presidents come and go, but Jesus is the true Messiah and Savior. Just as John in all humility pointed people to Jesus, let us all point to Jesus as our savior and king.
Pastor Jeff Fletcher
Reflection Questions
What characteristics of John do you admire? What makes a good Christian leader?
What evidence did John have that Jesus was God’s Chosen One – God’s Messiah?
Like John, how can you prepare people to meet Jesus? How can you introduce Jesus to your friends/co-workers/neighbors?
On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a sneak attack on Israel. Nearly 1200 Israelis were killed. 251 Israelis and foreigners were taken captive and held hostage by Hamas.
This was not the first time Israel had been the victim of an attack and taken captive by enemies. They were enslaved by the Egyptians thousands of years ago. They were taken into exile by the Babylonians nearly 3000 years ago. They were attacked and occupied by the Romans and their Temple was destroyed and they went into the diaspora almost 2000 years ago. They were victims of the Holocaust nearly 100 years ago when nearly 6 million Jews were murdered in gas chambers.
Psalm 122 was one of many Psalms that were prayed by the Jewish people during many of these numerous times of attack and war.
Psalm 122. A song of ascents. Of David.
1
I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
2
Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem.
3
Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together.
4
That is where the tribes go up— the tribes of the Lord— to praise the name of the Lord according to the statute given to Israel.
5
There stand the thrones for judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
6
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure.
7
May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.”
8
For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.”
9
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity.
This Psalm is a prayer for peace in Jerusalem. It is a prayer that God’s people will live in security and protection. Today we pray for the Peace of Jerusalem. True and lasting peace will not come to Jerusalem until the Messiah, God’s anointed King, our savior Jesus Christ returns. When Jesus returns there will be Peace in Jerusalem and eventually Peace on earth in God’s Kingdom.
Let us continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Let us pray for the release of those being held captive.
Pastor Jeff Fletcher
Reflection Questions
Compare and contrast Jerusalem, including it’s history and current situation, to that of the New Jerusalem we recently read about in the final chapters of Revelation. What causes the differences and the similarities?
How often do you pray for the peace of Jerusalem? Would adding a visual reminder to your home or device help you remember?
How might you be able to seek the good and prosperity of Jerusalem?
How often do you pray for the coming of the New Jerusalem and pray for its occupants, that those you know will be ready – recognized as the people of God, wearing white and not left outside?
As the year comes to an end, and the days are short and draw to a close so quickly, so we turn to the last chapter of God’s word. The last vision we are given is a river flowing from the throne of God and of the lamb, with trees lining the banks. The people of God, living forever, dwell in a paradisal city that the Garden of Eden was always supposed to grow to. In fact, a theologian once said “What is a city, but a collection of ordered gardens?” Maybe the “concrete jungles” we are familiar with don’t seem that way, but in some sense, cities are places where life is put in order, in order to grow.
It starts with a garden. It ends with a garden.
With a man in a garden in between.
“Let not what I desire, but you, God, desire, let that be done.”
The man who said those words also tells us here:
“I am coming soon! My reward is with me.”
In looking at the end, we take a look back at the beginning. God’s desires are made final, and he will be among us. God’s intentions from the beginning are made real at the end.
He has done this through the one who calls himself “the Beginning and the End.”
As this year draws to a close : may you look to the one who has written the story of your salvation in his blood as you write A to Z. May you think of the one who goes on before you into your day and follows you up at night to bring it to a close. May you honor the Lamb who was planned before the first garden was planted, who will bring about the planting of the last garden, who for our sake submitted his will in a garden, and who for God’s glory was resurrected in a garden.
The page closes. In a novel, this would be the end.
For those in Christ this is only
The beginning…
-Jake Ballard
(originally posted Dec 7, 2022 for SeekGrowLove)
Reflection Questions
Verse 7 says, “Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.” If you desire this blessing – how would you keep the words of this prophecy?
Verse 12 says, “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. ” What have you done? What do you think Jesus wants you to still do?
What thoughts and feelings do you have about “the end” which is really the beginning for those in Christ?
(As we are pulling up past devotions this week, I wanted to choose a devotion on the end of Revelation – but didn’t want to ignore the Psalm we have been reading all week either. So, today we are including 2 devotions from Jeff Fletcher, one on the end of Revelation, and one on Psalm 121.)
The Bible begins in the book of Genesis with God and his children named Adam and Eve living in a perfect garden where his children have immediate access to the presence of God and can interact with God face to face. The act of rebellion against God caused them to be separated from God. They initiated this process by hiding from God and by their failed attempts to cover over their guilt and shame. The consequence of their rebellion against God was that they were cut off from immediate fellowship with God, they were cut off from the garden which, along with all of the earth and the inhabitants of the earth including animals and humans fell under the curse of death.
Within God’s ruling of the consequences of sin and the resulting curse came a kernel of good news in Genesis 3:15. One would come who was a “seed of the woman” meaning a child, a human child, who would ultimately defeat the serpent, which represents evil. In the process of destroying the evil serpent, that human would also suffer a wound (a bruised heel).
The rest of the Bible is the story of how God’s plan to rescue the earth from the curse and restore and redeem humanity that was cut off from God is fulfilled ultimately by Jesus Christ, the human being, he was a seed of the woman, who was also the perfect and sinless son of God. In going to the cross and dying for the sins of all humanity, and being raised up by God to everlasting life, Jesus defeated the serpent.
Revelation 20-22 provides a vision of the ultimate victory of how this is ultimately realized. The serpent/dragon/devil/satan(adversary) is permitted to influence the world only so long, and then it will finally meet it’s end. Evil will be defeated by Jesus Christ. Christ will return, the dead will be raised, there will be a final judgment based upon what we have done. Some will be resurrected to everlasting life with God on a renewed earth in the city of New Jerusalem. Some will be judged and condemned by God and cast into the lake of fire, which the Bible calls the second death. (Note that it does not teach that they will be tortured for eternity, but that they will die a second and final time in a type of mass cremation). Death has to be destroyed. Those who reject God’s love and gracious gift of salvation will not have it forced upon. God allows us the freedom to accept his love and the offer of salvation, but he also gives us the freedom to reject it. Just as a bride must consent to marrying the groom in order for a marriage to be valid, we, God’s people must consent to God’s love before our covenant relationship will be valid.
For those who reject God’s love, they will finally and mercifully be brought to everlasting destruction. Those who accept God’s love through Christ, will be granted everlasting life. The Bible ends with the reversals of Genesis 2-3. God will again make his presence here upon the earth. The image John gives in Revelation is of a New Jerusalem coming down from God to take up occupancy on the earth. This new Jerusalem, interesting, is built on the same scale as the Temple in Jerusalem was… only so much larger. The new temple occupies a territory that rivals the ancient Roman empire.
For Christians living in the first century suffering under Roman oppression, this must have given them hope. Rome/ or Babylon or whatever earthly power that was anti-God would be brought to an end, and God’s Kingdom, God’s government would cover all the earth, with Jerusalem acting as a giant temple where God and his people would dwell for all eternity. Within the temple, emanating from the throne of God is a river of life surrounded by the tree of life. The tree of life was the very reason why Adam and Eve were banished from Eden, so that they would not partake of the tree of life/immortality in their sinful and broken condition. Sin had to be defeated once and for all before immortality could be enjoyed. But now, in Revelation, we are free to partake of the tree of life, we are free to embrace immortality, and we will live forever with God in His Kingdom on this renewed earth. We have, in a sense, come full circle, we are back home with God’s presence in the new Eden, and we are forever blessed. Even those who have suffered martyrdom for their faith, will enjoy the benefits and blessings of the New Jerusalem the New Eden and the New Earth.
If you’ve never said yes to God’s love, I don’t want you to miss out on this greatest of all blessings. Say yes to God, you can do it right now. And then solidify that “Yes” by entering into a covenant relationship with God through Baptism. And then live as a child of God and share this good news with as many as you can, until the day all is fulfilled and Christ returns, or the day that you draw your last breath.
-Jeff Fletcher
(originally posted on July 21, 2017 for SeekGrowLove)
We’re discussing seven different types of psalms and how to make them a regular part of our worship. Today we consider pilgrimage psalms. A pilgrimage is a journey to a place that holds special spiritual value to the person making the pilgrimage. In ancient Israel those who lived outside of Jerusalem would make several pilgrimages each year to come to Jerusalem to worship at the temple and celebrate various feasts which commemorated important elements of Israel’s sacred story. We know that Jesus was arrested and crucified at the beginning of the Passover celebration.
As people made their pilgrimage to Jerusalem they would sing joyful and festive psalms that would help them recall God’s goodness. If you’ve ever travelled to a special place and event like Fuel, or General Conference, Christian Worker’s Seminar, or summer youth camp, you know that the excitement builds as you journey and get closer to the event. Sometimes people sing some of the songs that gave meaning and joy to their previous times at those places.
Imagine as the pilgrims get closer to Jerusalem. As Jerusalem is on a mountain they can see it from a distance. As they climb Mt. Zion to get closer to the city and the temple of God their excitement grows and they begin enjoying an attitude of worship by singing and recalling God’s blessings.
Psalm 121 is a great example of a pilgrimage psalm:
Psalm 121
A song of ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; 6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; 8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
This serves as a reminder that as you journey on your way, God is with you. God is your helper who watches over you wherever you go. How comforting and assuring to know that God is with you on your journey through life. Even during those times where you might not know what’s waiting for you around the next corner or over the next hill, God is there, and he doesn’t go to sleep on the job.
-Jeff Fletcher
(originally posted June 7, 2019 for SeekGrowLove)
Reflection Questions
How is your journey towards the presence of God going today?
What encouragement do you find in today’s passages? What motivation do you find in today’s passages?
Who do you know who needs to know what the Bible shares and reveals?
Seek Grow Love 