June 4- The Shadow of Things To Come

June 4, 2011

Scripture Readings:
2 Samuel 22:1-23:23; Acts 2:1-47;
Psalm 122:1-9; Proverbs 16:19-20

I wear my shadows where they're harder to see, but they follow me everywhere.  
I guess that should tell me I'm travelling toward light. 
~Bruce Cockburn

2 Samuel 22:1-23:23

Have you ever studied your own shadow on the sidewalk or on a wall?  If you are a woman, it is particularly disturbing to see a shadow that makes you look fat or too tall or too wide. LOL.  Women...I know.  But shadows only give us an image that is distorted.  It is not the true picture.  Shadows are seen because an object is blocking a light source.  Today, I will point out some ways that David is a shadow of Jesus Christ.  One day, you and I will be in the perfect light of God.  We will see Christ face to face and not have to deal in shadows. Israel, at the time of David, was really in the shadows about who the Messiah would be.  But for now, let's make a comparison.

David composes a song in his old age.  God has taken him from a young, poor shepherd boy to a famous venerated warrior/king.  More than that, God has made an everlasting covenant with David to give him an eternal kingdom through his descendant.  This song that David composes is also found in Psalm 18.  It is a psalm of deliverance written by a man who is looking backwards at a life tinged and touched by God Almighty.  In our reading today, David also recounts the conquests of his mighty men.  He highlights the victories and brave acts of the Three.  These were particularly loyal and brave friends to David. David records of their acts of bravery as a sign of his thankful heart and humility in the face of such loyalty and love.

Here are some ways that David is a shadow/type of Christ:

• David was a shepherd.  Jesus is our Good Shepherd.
• David was the last son of Jesse, not the first son in his family.  Jesus is the last son of God, while Adam is the first son of God. Remember, the last shall be first and the first shall be last.
• David defeats a giant named Goliath from the Philistines who represent the world.  Jesus defeats a giant named Satan who is the prince of this world.
• David defeats Goliath by crushing his head with a stone.  Jesus crushes Satan's head as predicted in Genesis 3:15 with his death and resurrection.
• David is a servant to Saul.  Jesus came to serve mankind.
• David fights for Saul (Israel) and protects Israel.  Jesus fights for Israel and those who are grafted into Israel through belief in him and protects those under his care.
• David is attacked by Saul.  Jesus is attacked by the religious leaders of Israel.
• David spends time in the wilderness as he runs for his life.  Jesus spends time in the wilderness to define the purpose of his life.
• David is betrayed by Absalom.  Jesus is betrayed by Judas Iscariot.
• David is inspired by the Holy Spirit to compose the psalms worshiping God.  Jesus is filled with the Holy Spirit to fulfill the psalms, thus glorifying God.
• David eats the showbread in the house of God when he is hungry.  Jesus is the showbread who is the Bread of Life which if eaten, gives us eternal life and satisfies our spiritual hunger, forever.
• David had the Three men who were his faithful companions.  Jesus chose Peter, James and John to go with him to the Transfiguration to see how Jesus would be victorious in the end.  They would be his main fighting men once he ascended into heaven.
• David was thirsty in his trials as he camped out in a cave on the run from his enemies.  He desired the fresh water from a well in Bethlehem where he grew up. The Three got him some water from Bethlehem by breaking through the Philistine lines.  David refused to drink it because they risked their lives for him. Jesus was thirsty on the cross and vinegar was provided to him on a sponge.
• David was the king in Israel. Jesus died under a sign that said "Jesus of Nazareth.  King of the Jews." He was King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
• David received a covenant from God.  Jesus is the covenant from God.

David's life was a picture.  The words he composed in the psalms were inspired by God and were prophetic.  David was used by God on earth to glorify his Creator.  How are you glorifying God in your life?

Acts 2:1-47

Today, we are looking at the birth of the Church.  Jesus' bride is being born.  Just as Jesus was conceived in Mary by the Holy Spirit, Jesus' bride is going to be born at just the right time through the Holy Spirit.  Pentecost was on the Jewish calendar.  It occurs 50 days after the Feast of First Fruits.  Let's review what the some of the feasts represented:

• Passover represented Christ's sacrificial death.
• The Feast of First Fruits represented Christ's resurrection.
• Pentecost represented the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church.

At Pentecost, the Israelites were to give a meal offering to the Lord of two loaves of bread made with fine flour and leaven (Leviticus 23).  You may remember that at Passover, the bread was to be unleavened.  Leaven or yeast represents sin in the Bible.  Jesus was the unleavened bread.  Now, His Church is identified as His body on earth.  It will not be free from sin, but will glorify Him through the Holy Spirit.

We see that the Holy Spirit comes in a fashion that can be seen and heard.  The wind would have sounded like a tornado or a freight train.  The flames that were upon each person's shoulders were not actually fire, but appeared like fire. Once the Holy Spirit came upon the group gathered, they began speaking in the languages that the Jewish people who had come to Jerusalem for Passover, the feast of First Fruits and the Pentecost, would understand.  The list given to us of the languages is Parthian, Persian, Elamitian, Mesopotamian, Judean, Cappadocian, Asian, Egyptian, Arabic, Cretan, Libyan, and Roman.  This covers most of the known world at the time.  The message of the great works of God were instantaneously translated to be understood worldwide.

Some people claimed that the disciples were drunk.  Peter rejects this absurd claim by telling them that it is only 9 am. He says that they are witnessing a fulfillment of a prophecy in Scripture.  He starts with the book of Joel.  It should be noted that in the prophesy that Peter picks both men and women are predicted to have the Spirit of God pour out on them and they will prophesy.  This is not a religion that is exclusive to men.  Women will have a part in spreading the Good News about God to the world.  Joel 2:18 says,

"In those days, I will pour out my Spirit upon all my servants, men and women alike, and they will prophesy."

Peter confirms that both Jews and lawless Gentiles contributed to Jesus' death.  Indeed, all of us and all of the world's sins contributed to Jesus' death.  Peter confirms that God raised Jesus from the dead because death could not keep him in its grip.  Peter refers to David's psalms as prophetic utterances about his own descendant, who would be raised from the grave (Ps. 16:8-11).   Peter also quotes Psalm 110:1 as proof that Jesus then ascended into heaven and sits at God's right hand. 

Peter has gone from a disciple who didn't "get it" to a masterful preacher who is able to use God's Word to convict people through the Holy Spirit to believe the Truth about Jesus Christ.  Three thousand people respond to Peter's first sermon.  Jesus' prophecy about Peter comes true.  "On this rock, I will build my Church."  Peter's testimony and preaching by the power of the Holy Spirit is the bedrock of the Church of Jesus Christ.  You and I are here today because of Peter's faithful ministry.

His simple message was for people to turn from their sins, turn to God, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins.  They would then receive the Holy Spirit.  This Holy Spirit is available to the Jews, their children, and even to Gentiles.

The description of this period of time for the early Church is one of complete unity, prayerfulness, sharing, miracles, joy, praise, and good will to all.  Jesus said that this is how they will know you are my disciples.

Do you have the Holy Spirit in your life?  The fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22)  How are these qualities manifesting themselves in your life?

Psalm 122:1-9

David is praying for the peace of Jerusalem in this psalm.  Look at the peace that comes on the day of Pentecost when Christ sends His Holy Spirit and forms the Church.  David was surely rejoicing.

Proverbs 16:19-20

Trust in the Lord and you will be happy.

What did you notice today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton
© 2011