Posted 9 January 2007; back-dated.
Today´s reading:
OT: Genesis 18:16-33, Genesis 19
NT: Matthew 6:25-34, Matthew 7:1-14
Ps: Psalm 8
Pr: Proverbs 2:6-15
Gospel Thread - OT:
Then he said, "May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?" He answered, "For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it."
Genesis 18:32 (NIV)
Mercy: perhaps God's second greatest gift to mankind, behind only His gift of grace. Grace and mercy go hand-in-hand: grace is getting that which we do not deserve, and mercy is not getting that which we do deserve. It is because of God's freely given grace that He also extends to us His mercy. It is because God poured out His wrath onto Jesus Christ on the Cross that we are spared the just recompense for our sin. We see in this exchange between Abraham and the Lord the near-limitless extent of our Lord's mercy.
Gospel Thread - NT:
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Matthew 7:12 (NIV)
Here we see again the way in which Christ's covenant surpasses all other covenants. Again, it is not enough merely not to mistreat others; rather, we are to treat them in the same way would would have ourselves be treated. In other words, we are to hold others in the same esteem in which we hold ourselves; we are to love others to the same extent as we love ourselves.
Gospel Thread - Psalms/Proverbs:
4 what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?
5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feetPsalm 8:4-6 (NIV)
This passage has dual meaning. On one level, David is praising God for the honor he has bestowed upon humanity in creation. On another level, David is speaking of the Messiah: God, taking on humanity, and then being elevated again. Throughout Scripture, often the term "son of man" refers to Christ. Paul understands this very passage to be such a reference. After quoting these very verses, Paul writes in Hebrews 2:9 (NIV):
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
That Jesus was the "son of man" indicates that He is both the Messiah and that He came in human flesh.
OYB Photo of the Day:
The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.