I am an emeritus professor from Cornell University and was a Commissioned Lay Preacher in the Presbyterian Church (USA). For many years I have followed the Daily Lectionary as printed in the Mission Yearbook of my church. For each day of a two-year cycle, the lectionary lists four psalms and three other scriptural passages--usually one from the Old Testament and two from the New Testament. My practice is to copy down a verse or two from one of the psalms and from each of the other three passages. After I have written out all four selections, I reflect upon them, rearrange their order, and incorporate them into a meditation. Sometimes I retain much of the original wording; sometimes all that remains of a selection is an idea that was stimulated when I read the original words. All selections are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. For the Daily Lectionary, see the link below.

June 16, 2010


The Greatest in the Kingdom

I. Readings
Psalms 89:1-18, 147:1-11, 1, 33
Numbers 11:24-35
Romans 1:28-2:11
Matthew 18:1-9

II. Selections
Psalm 1:1-2
Happy are those
      who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread,
      or sit in the seat of scoffers;
but their delight is in the law of the LORD,
      and on his law they meditate day and night.

Numbers 11:29
But Moses said to [Joshua], “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit on them!”

Romans 2:1
Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things.

Matthew 18:1
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

III. Meditation

“Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
Like the disciples, we want to know who ranks highest.

The one of us who avoids the wicked, sinners, and scoffers?
The one who prophesies? Or the one who delights in your law?

Our answers might be correct, but to ask the question is wrong.
To ponder the question means we are not part of the answer.

Such judgments belong to you; they are not ours to consider.
Make us like Moses—never jealous of your spirit in others.
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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