My Voice, the Mob’s, or God’s?--July1, 2021

[From July 2, 2015 archive]

 

Pilate listened to the voice of a mob 

and released the murderer, Barabbas, 

and handed Jesus over to be crucified. 

 

Saul listened to his own voice, not yours, 

and lost his patience, and lost your favor. 

 

Philip listened to the voice of an angel; 

he chose a wilderness road, one that 

led to a conversion experience. 

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 143; 147:12-20; 81; 116

1 Sam. 13:5-18

Acts 8:26-40

Luke 23:13-25

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 143:10 

Teach me to do your will, 
          for you are my God. 
Let your good spirit lead me 
          on a level path. 

 

1 Sam. 13:13 

Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which he commanded you.  …" 

 

Acts 8:26 

Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”  (This is a wilderness road.) 

 

Luke 23:25 

[Pilate] released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished.