May 29- The Chickens Are Comin' Home To Roost

May 29, 2011

Scripture Readings:
2 Samuel 14:1-15:22; John 18:1-24;
Psalm 119:97-112; Proverbs 16:8-9

It is better to deserve without receiving, than to receive without deserving.  
~Robert Green Ingersoll

2 Samuel 14:1-15:22

You've heard the expression "Curses are like chickens; they always come home to roost."  This expression means that your bad actions are likely to rebound back onto you. It is true that back when people raised chicken in a free range fashion, the chickens would forage for food during the day and then in the evening, they would come back to their nests or roosts in the hen house.  Today, David's sin of killing Uriah is coming back to get him through God's judgment.  His sins are coming home to roost.

David was warned that his own family would rebel against him as part of God's judgment against him.  Today we see that his handsome son, Absalom, does just that.  First, Joab sends a wise woman to tell a story to David designed to convince him that he should forgive Absalom and allow him to come back to Jerusalem.  David acquiesces but in a half-hearted way.  He allows Absalom to come back, but refuses to let him come to the palace. This is a mistake. This contributes to Absalom going behind David's back and winning the hearts of the Israelites to himself. He is good looking and apparently, an excellent politician.  He promises everyone justice for all.  Oh my, how we all fall for these types, even today.  Slick Willy and Slick Absalom!

Absalom goes to Hebron where David first reigned as king of Judah for seven years and incites a rebellion against David.  David flees Jerusalem with his followers in order to prevent destruction in the city that he loves.  He also wants to preserve the life of his son Absalom.

David is once again on the run from an enemy. This is a mode of operation with which David is familiar.  God's judgment is swift and hard on David's sin.  God uses David's own family to punish and humble him.  David takes the whipping with humility.

How has God disciplined you in your life?  Has God used family members to humble you?  Has He used friends to humble you?

John 18:1-24

Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane.  John tells us that Jesus went there often, so Judas (his betrayer) would have known this place well. Judas arrives with around 500 men, combining both the Roman guards and the Jewish Temple guards.  They didn't need to bring this half of a battalion because Jesus was intending to be the Passover Lamb.  No lamb being led to slaughter will resist.  Jesus was not going to resist. 

John wants to emphasize Jesus' deity, so we see the soldiers fall back as Jesus says "I am he."  Peter uses the sword that Jesus told them to arm themselves with earlier and cuts off the ear of the high priest's guard. Peter has misunderstood the Lord's intentions. Jesus rebukes Peter and has him put the sword away. Jesus tells Peter that he (Jesus) will drink from the cup that the Father has given him. The guards arrest Jesus and tie him up.

Next, we see Peter deny Christ three times as prophesied by Jesus. Jesus is questioned by the High Priest about what he has been teaching. Jesus replies that he has been teaching openly in the synagogues and that this is no mystery. The Temple guards strike Jesus for being obstinate. Jesus asks why are you hitting a man for telling the truth.

In this part of Scripture, we are watching Jesus drink the cup of suffering. He is drinking it willingly.  It is a suffering that you and I deserve for our sins. Our sins are coming home to roost on Jesus although he is guilty of no sin. Have you thanked Jesus today for his willingness to suffer for you?

Psalm 119:97-112

Here is a list of what God's commands do for the psalmist:

• Make me wiser than my enemies.
• Are my constant guide.
• Give me more insight than my teachers.
• Makes me wiser than my elders.
• They are sweeter than honey.
• Make me hate what is false.
• Are a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path.
• Are my treasure and my heart's delight.

Wow. Can you say that about God's Word in your life? Jesus lived these words.

Proverbs 16:8-9

"It is better to be poor and godly than rich and dishonest."  True dat.

What did you see today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton
© 2011