Thursday, January 14, 2021

Count the Cost

 Genesis 36-38                   Psalm 18            

 Esau and Jacob find themselves separated once again but not because of conflict but from the blessings they have received. Note that Esau has returned to the way of his family and married women from Canaan that he refused to so that he could spite his father in those earlier days we saw in chapter28.

 Now the story turns to Joseph, who because he was born late in life and to Jacob’s favorite wife, was loved more than all the others. The resentment becomes so great some are willing to kill him and others see an opportunity to not only get rid of him but profit from it. There is again in this family the need for deception and lies to cover up their sin. The pattern continues.

 The story of Judah and Tamar shows how far they have gone from trusting in and following the ways of God. Deception and sinful behavior in order to get what they believe is owed to them. We see a willingness to pay a price to avoid embarrassment but that ends up becoming a part of an embarrassing story.

 As I read through Psalm 18 today I am reminded that David was far from perfect but continually recognized his weakness and his sin. He did not celebrate his sin but confessed it and ask the Lord to transform him into the man God wanted him to be. It was a long, difficult process filled with failure, repentance, change and new mistakes. God had a way of so often clearing the path before him but not without pain and suffering. The problem was never caused by God and David placed the blame where it belonged, not God or pointing to others but looking at himself and how he could become better in his desire to please the Lord. A good example for all of us.

 Working through John 12 today reminded me that sometime the voices of those closest to us have the least interest in the work of the Kingdom and will remain self-centered till the end. Judas was only interested in himself and what served him. His criticism of others was to cover up his own sinfulness.

 Some will go to any length to destroy those that threaten their power and position and demand the help of those they seek to destroy. Jesus responds by reminding his disciples the cost of following him would be greater than most were willing pay. The struggle between those that want to glorify themselves those that want to point to God is real. They demanded signs but then ignored those that didn’t point the way they wanted life to go.

 The rulers that did believe didn’t want to give up their positions of power so remained silent rather than challenging the sinful life of those very rulers that surrounded them. The decision they are making Jesus reminds them have long term impacts. Jesus wants them to concentrate on doing what he asks of them rather than seeking to please other people. If his purpose in coming was not to judge the world but to offer it the chance to be saved from their sin why should others be concerned about being anything other than an example Jesus came to speak on behalf of the father and those who choose to ignore his teaching do so at their own peril.

 Today’s reading reminded me of the cost of discipleship. Being rejected and condemned by those caught up in their own sin is part of the life of following and sharing the love of Jesus.

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