Authority Constrained by Steadfast Love--Nov. 8, 2017

Dear God, throughout the Bible,

we find praise for your steadfast love,

but also for your authority and power. 

Surely Jesus had authority to perform

deeds of power in his home town,

but he did not choose to use it.

You do not force your love upon us;

you make it available to us,

but the decision to accept or refuse

is ours.  That freedom to choose

is part of your steadfast love.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 89:1-18; 147:1-11; 1; 33

Neh. 13:4-22

Rev. 12:1-12

Matt. 13:53-58

Selected Verses

Ps. 147:11

…but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
          in those who hope in his steadfast love.

Neh. 13:22b

Remember this also in my favor, O my God, and spare me according to the greatness of your steadfast love.

Rev. 12:10

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming,
     "Now have come the salvation and the power 
          and the kingdom of our God 
          and the authority of his Messiah, 
     for the accuser of our comrades has been thrown down,
          who accuses them day and night before our God.  …"

Matt. 13:58

And [Jesus] did not do many deeds of power [in his home town], because of [the people's] unbelief.