Today's readings are 1 Samuel 15.10-35 and Acts 24.24-25.12.
Today we begin to see the fruit of Saul's decision to seize the livestock and treasures of the Amalekites. When confronted by Samuel, notice that Saul initially says he has kept the command of God to the letter, then says that the people under his command engaged in plunder. He tries to excuse himself by claiming that the people are responsible for the disobedience. he tries to excuse the people by pointing out that they were taking the animals for sacrifice to God.
Unfortunately for Saul, he is acting without regard for the fact that the king is held responsible for the obedience or disobedience of the people. The military commander is responsible for the failings of his troops. The corporate executive is held responsible for the company's failure when products aren't delivered on time or aren't manufactured with adequate care to detail, something the executive himself couldn't actually do. The person placed in charge of an organization ultimately takes responsibility for the failings of those who work under him.
Here's an amazing thing. In the New Testament what we finally see is that Jesus, God the Son, takes on the sin of the people he created. He is the one who bears the responsibility for their failure. He is the one who dies the death they deserve. He shows himself to be the true King of Israel. And he does it so all who believe in him may have the benefit of his leadership. He does it so all the rash, foolish, self-centered decisions of his followers may be wiped out. He does it so that all the blame we would like to attach to one another is once and for all attached to him. He does it out of his good grace and mercy, knowing that we are desperately in need of just that loving kindness. This is what the true King of Israel does for his people.
To obey is better than sacrifice. No doubt about it.
Today we begin to see the fruit of Saul's decision to seize the livestock and treasures of the Amalekites. When confronted by Samuel, notice that Saul initially says he has kept the command of God to the letter, then says that the people under his command engaged in plunder. He tries to excuse himself by claiming that the people are responsible for the disobedience. he tries to excuse the people by pointing out that they were taking the animals for sacrifice to God.
Unfortunately for Saul, he is acting without regard for the fact that the king is held responsible for the obedience or disobedience of the people. The military commander is responsible for the failings of his troops. The corporate executive is held responsible for the company's failure when products aren't delivered on time or aren't manufactured with adequate care to detail, something the executive himself couldn't actually do. The person placed in charge of an organization ultimately takes responsibility for the failings of those who work under him.
Here's an amazing thing. In the New Testament what we finally see is that Jesus, God the Son, takes on the sin of the people he created. He is the one who bears the responsibility for their failure. He is the one who dies the death they deserve. He shows himself to be the true King of Israel. And he does it so all who believe in him may have the benefit of his leadership. He does it so all the rash, foolish, self-centered decisions of his followers may be wiped out. He does it so that all the blame we would like to attach to one another is once and for all attached to him. He does it out of his good grace and mercy, knowing that we are desperately in need of just that loving kindness. This is what the true King of Israel does for his people.
To obey is better than sacrifice. No doubt about it.
--
Dave Spotts
blogging at http://capnsaltyslongvoyage.blogger.com
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