April 19, 2010

Bringing in the Kingdom

I. Readings
Psalms 97, 145, 124, 115
Exodus 18:13-27
1 Peter 5:1-14
Matthew 1:1-17, 3:1-6

II. Selections
Psalm 97:10
The LORD loves those who hate evil;
he guards the lives of his faithful,
he rescues them from the hand of the wicked.

Exodus 18:17-18
Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. You will surely wear yourself out, both you and these people with you. For the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. … ”

1 Peter 5:3
Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock.

Matthew 3:1-2
In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

III. Meditation

The kingdom of heaven has come near,
but we cannot bring it in by our own labors.
The task is too heavy for us; we cannot do it alone.
Surely we would wear ourselves out, and those with us.

Nor can we bring it in by lording over those in our charge.
What then? It is for us to see to our own repentance,
that we may be examples. It is for us to hate evil,

working always for the good, trusting
that you will guard the lives of the faithful
and rescue them from the hand of the wicked.
Ultimately it is you who will bring in the kingdom.