The story of David being welcomed back didn't end at yesterday's chapter break. Bicri attempted to mount a revolt. He died even when surrounded by his clan members because there was a wise woman in the town he took refuge in. Before that, David had decided to promote national reconciliation by appointing Amasa as military commander. But Joab, who had grown too powerful, shamefully put an end to Amasa's career.
Psalm 118 is an antiphonal psalm. Imagine a leader and all the congregation saying the refrain. One of the most often quoted verses about the Messiah is found in verse 22. And I have quoted verse 23 at the beginning of a number of podcasts.
Note how Jesus (and the writer, John) artfully hint at the story of Jacob. Jesus calls Nathanael a true son of Israel. Israel is one of Jacob’s name, and Jacob means ‘cheater’. And then Jesus paradoxically calls Nathanael a man of complete integrity. Then Jesus says something that only Nathanael can know was miraculous. Jesus didn’t need to make it obvious to his hearers and John didn’t need to explain to his readers that Jesus was quoting from the Jacob’s Ladder story. Just a few words and the previous hint were plenty to imply this: Jesus is claiming to be the Way to the Father. The way, the truth, and the life.
No comments:
Post a Comment