For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
Col. 2
What has Jesus done for us (see v. 13-15)? “Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.” (Col. 2:23). This is what I was talking about yesterday when I mentioned that it isn’t our behavior that matters. Our behavior can put off appearances that are in contrast with what is really in our hearts and minds. The law seeks to regulate our behavior, but it has no power to change us on the inside.
It seems Paul was constantly encouraging and admonishing all the churches with the same basic principles. Don’t rely on or serve physical things. Rely on and serve Christ alone, for it is in Christ that we are made right with God. As we rely on Him, He transforms us to give us the will and the power to live as the righteous should live without any need for the law. We are free, both from its burden and its purpose. Jesus does everything that the law did for us as well as everything the law has no power to do.
2 Kings 5-6
Compare and contrast the actions of Naaman, Elisha and Gehazi. I think the young Israeli slave girl is an unsung hero in this story. Through the actions of a band of raiders, she found herself a captive in a foreign land serving a foreign woman against her will. This information and the comment she made to her mistress is all we know about the girl. “She said to her mistress, ‘If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.’” (2 Kings 5). This small amount of information, however, is enough to tell me several things about this young girl.
- She was not bitter against those she was forced to serve. Her desire to see Naaman healed is a demonstration of Godly love.
- Though she apparently bore no ill will against her masters, neither did she abandon God. She turned to God for an answer, with complete trust that He was able to solve the problem.
- Because of her attitude and her courage, she was a bold witness for God in her less than ideal circumstances.
It sure seems we can learn a lot from this girl about faithfully serving God.
Ps. 68
“The Lord announces the word, and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng” (Ps. 68:11). Once again, I doubt that the thought triggered in me by this verse has anything to do with its original intent. But then, much of scripture has double meaning. Anyway, I couldn’t help but think of Jesus and the many women who supported Him, mentioned in Luke 8:3. Jesus is the Word and proclaimed the word and He had a mighty throng of women who followed Him.