2019-1-21

Psalm 4:1-8

David cried out to god in times of distress. He refused to give up his faith in God despite the negative turn of events in his life. It’s so easy to be angry and take things into our own hands, but David learnt to put his trust in the God who showered him with unparalleled goodness- God’s presence, joy in his heart, abundant provision, peace and security. Indeed, God alone is our refuge. He redeems those who put his trust on him and set the foot of His child on higher grounds.

Luke 20:1-47

The hypocrisy of the religious leaders were apparent when they were posed by the question from Jesus about John’s baptism. Their answer was born out of unbelief to God and fear of the people. Sad to say, they were not really seeking to find out the truth. Their minds have been set and their hearts were hardened. They were unwilling to humble themselves and ask God to reveal the truth to them. Had Jesus told them by whose authority He was doing all that He did, they would not have believe either.
God knows our hearts. Are we genuinely seeking Him? Are our hearts hardened and our minds closed? Do we seek to understand or are we focused on pushing our own ideas or even worry about being politically correct? How can we know the will of our Maker if we do not humble ourselves and seek him earnestly?
May the Lord check our hearts and show us if we have any wickedness within us.
Oh, Lord cleanse us from our unrighteousness, so that we may discern your truth as plain as night and day!

What a gracious vineyard owner! First he planted the vineyard. He rented it out to farmers and asked for some fruits in return at harvest time. Each of the three servants sent to collect the harvest, were treated progressively worse each time. When the owner sent his son, he thought the tenants will start to show some respect.
Lo and behold, the tenants got rid of the heir! They thought they could take over the property without considering the consequences of their actions. This reminded me of God’s forbearance towards man. There will come a point when God will send his ultimate judgment upon man. His patience will come to an end and man will face judgment for the abusive treatment of His son. Unless one recognizes Jesus as the son of God, his savior, he will eventually come to his ruin.

“.. give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God, what is God’s” was the wise answer Jesus gave to the hypocritical spies who were set to trap him. Jesus’ answer revealed our obligations to pay our taxes to the government; after-all government are put in place by God over us. Government provides protection and our daily means of trade. Our highest allegiance belongs to God who is over all. It is He who gave us breath and strength in order that we can make a living. All we have belongs to Him, we get to respond our thankfulness by giving back a little from the abundance He gave us.

Even the Sadducees who did not believe in resurrection were willing to put aside their convictions to work up a device to trip Jesus. Jesus saw through their hearts and replied aptly not only to the questions asked, but also to the matter of the Sadducees’ conviction. There will neither be husbands nor wives in heaven. Believers will be children of God at resurrection. Resurrection is irrefutable considering the physically dead patriarch: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, had been resurrected. Our God is a living God and He would not have referred Himself as the God of the dead.

King David was also a prophet. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, he wrote about Christ who came after him in bodily form, therefore was called the son of David, but Christ is also the root of David in divinity, therefore David address Christ as his Lord. The mystery of Christ is marvelous. God orchestrated this plan, so that we have redemption through His Son. Praise be to Him!

Jesus went on to described the whitewashed religious leaders who loved the applaud of people for their piety, but in actuality they were filled with wicked schemes. Far be it from us, that we should crave the applaud of man than to please the God who died for us!            —- Lai Yee