Day 10
No rights they might claim protect this community of strangers in the world.
Nor do they claim any such rights, for they are the meek, who renounce all rights of their own for the sake of Jesus Christ. When they are berated, they are quiet. When violence is done to them, they endure it. When they are cast out, they yield. They do not sue for their rights; they do not make a scene when injustice is done to them. They do not want rights of their own. But Jesus says, they will inherit the earth. The earth belongs to those who are without rights and power. Those who now possess the earth with violence and injustice will lose it, and those who renounce it here, who were meek unto the cross, will rule over the new earth.
Biblical Wisdom
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5
Questions to Ponder
What does it mean to say that disciples "renounce all rights of their own for the sake of Jesus Christ"?
Why would disciples "not want rights of their own"?
Should followers of Jesus be non-violent in their response to evil?
In what sense can it be said that: "The earth belongs to those who are without rights and power"?
Psalm Fragment
O LORD, you will hear the desire of the meek; / you will strengthen their heart, you will incline your ear / to do justice for the orphan and the oppressed, / so that those from earth may strike terror no more. Psalm
10:17-18
Journal Reflections
Are there any rights that you would rather defend than "renouncefor the sake of Jesus Christ"? Explain.
Think of the way you do life and live in relationships. Would you call yourself meek? Why, or why not?
Is there a situation in your life now where you need the gift of meekness? If so, write about it. What might be different in that situation if you were truly meek? What do you need to do?
Intercessions
Pray for the powerful, the arrogant, those who clamor most for their own rights, that they might become truly meek and seek the good of others rather than their own good.
Prayer for Today
Lord Jesus, help me to renounce my own rights for your sake. Give me the gift of meekness and make me an "instrument of your peace."
Day 10
======
Today's Prayer
==============
Almighty God, we were lost from the beginning, when it pleased you to extend your hand and restore us to salvation for your Son’s sake. Although we daily run headlong to our own ruin, we pray that our continual sin will not provoke you into withdrawing your mercy from us. . . . Through your Spirit, destroy the wickedness of our heart and restore us to a sound mind. – John Calvin, adapted from his Commentary on Hosea
Today's Scripture Reading: Exodus 20:1-17 =========================================
And God spoke all these words:
"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
"You shall have no other gods before me.
"You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
"You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
"You shall not murder.
"You shall not commit adultery.
"You shall not steal.
"You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
"You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."
Today's Quote
=============
“The Law is that word by which God teaches what we shall do, as for instance, the Ten Commandments. Now, if human nature is not aided by God’s grace, it is impossible to keep the law, for the reason that man since the fall of Adam in Paradise is depraved and full of sinful desires, so that he cannot from his heart’s desire find pleasure in the law, which fact we all experience in ourselves. For no one lives who does not prefer that there were no law, and everyone feels and knows in himself that it is difficult to lead a pious life and do good, and, on the other hand, that it is easy to lead a wicked life and to do evil. But this difficulty or unwillingness to do the good is the reason we do not keep the Law of God. For whatever is done with aversion and unwillingness is considered by God as not done at all. Thus the Law of God convicts us, even by our own experience, that by nature we are evil, disobedient, lovers of sin, and hostile to God’s laws.” – Martin Luther, sermon on Matthew 11:2-10, #19
Something to Think About
========================
It is common in many churches to periodically read the Ten Commandments during worship services. What relevance do the Ten Commandments-delivered to Israel thousands of years ago-hold for Christians today? Why are they significant to the Easter story?