May 22- The Song of the Bow

May 22, 2011

Scripture Readings:
2 Samuel 1:1-2:11; John 12:20-50;
Psalm 118:19-29; Proverbs 15:27-28

Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. 
When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?

~ Clarence Oddbody from It's A Wonderful Life

2 Samuel 1:1-2:11

It is hard to eulogize someone that you love.  Death brings great clarity, though.  Actually, sometimes in the throws of sorrow, true perspective on what a person's life meant to others becomes clear.  Today, David recounts in a song what Saul's and Jonathan's lives meant to the nation of Israel and what Jonathan's friendship meant personally to David.  David commands that all the people of Judah learn this funeral song in order to remember these fallen heroes.  David honors his king and friend in death.  Here are some of the highlights:

• They were Israel's pride and joy.
• Mighty heroes have fallen.
• They killed their strongest foes.
• They returned from battle with plunder.
• They were beloved and gracious.
• They were together in life and in death.
• They were swifter than eagles.
• They were stronger than lions.
• Saul dressed the women of Israel in fine clothing and gold ornaments.  He was a good provider.
• Jonathan was my brother.
• I loved Jonathan so much.
• The love was deeper than the love for a woman.
• The mighty heroes have fallen.

Do you feel the sorrow, admiration, honor and love that David has in his heart for these two men?  David was an honorable and compassionate man.

David seeks the Lord's will for his life after this.  God tells David to go to Hebron and be the king of Judah.  Meanwhile, Abner, Saul's commander, goes to Mahanaim to make Ishbosheth king over Gilead, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, the land of the Ashurites and the rest of Israel.  The people of the tribe of Judah stay loyal to David and he rules over them.

Do you honor those who have passed away?  David honors Saul even though he could have recounted Saul's many sins.  This shows humility, forgiveness, and grace.  Are you a graceful person?

John 12:20-50

When some people from Greece approach the disciples about meeting Jesus, Phillip and Andrew go to ask the Lord if he will meet with them.  Jesus launches into a lesson about his mission on earth. He gives his own "song of the bow."  By defining what his life on earth has meant to the world, he gives us a description of his purpose driven life. Here is a summary:

• It is time for me to enter my glory.
• A kernel of wheat must go into the ground and be buried in order to muliply and produce many kernels.  This is how I will get a harvest of new lives.
• People must follow me in order to get eternal life.  They must not value their life in this world.  They must be willing to lose it in order to gain eternal life.
• Should I ask the Father to spare me from death?  No. This is why I came, to glorify the Father through my death.
• A voice from heaven then declares, "I have already brought it glory and I will do it again."
• The prince of this world (devil) will be cast out and judged by my death.

• When I am lifted on the cross, I will draw everyone to myself.

The crowd murmurs that they thought the Messiah would live forever according to Scripture.  They wonder who this Son of Man is that Jesus is talking about.  Jesus indicates that he is the light that they need to walk in in order to not stumble in darkness.  These symbolic images are confusing to some and clarifying to others.  This is so that prophesy in Isaiah 53:1 and Isaiah 6:10 would be fulfilled.  Those Scriptures indicate that the Lord will blind the eyes and harden the hearts of some people in Israel. If God had not done this, they would have never crucified him and the problem of unpunished sin in the world would still exist.

Jesus shouts to the crowd that if they are trusting in him, then they are really trusting in God who sent him.  He declares that when they see him, they are seeing God.  People who accept his message are saved, not judged.  Those who reject his message will be judged on judgment day.  Jesus concludes by saying that he only says what God the Father tells him to say.  Jesus is speaking of his own death and giving us perspective on what his life means to the world, even before he dies.

Can you hear the words of Christ?  Do you have eyes to see his light?

Psalm 118:19-29

"Open the gates for me where the righteous will enter, and I will go in and thank the Lord."  Remember that Jesus told us that He is the Gate through which we enter heaven. 

Proverbs 15:27-28

The godly think before speaking.  Wow.  I need to absorb this.

What did you see today as you read?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton
© 2011