Old Testament reading: 1 Kings 8
A great work is not complete unless it accomplishes its mission. 1 Kings 8 notes Solomon’s dedication of the temple and the beginning of its mission. The general furnishings and treasures dedicated by David had already been brought in (1 Kings 7:51). It was times to bring in the Ark of the Covenant, the mercy seat, the place where God met man to extend His mercy and forgiveness for sin. Moreover, what joy surely entered the hearts of God’s people as they listened to the king’s magnificent oratory and prayer extolling the great God of heaven. I am also struck by Solomon’s repeated mention of David’s inability to build a house for God (vv 14-19). It reminds me that good intentions are no substitute for Divine authority. David’s heart was in the right place, but he had no word from the Lord to pursue the building of the temple. The chapter concludes by showing how all that Solomon had done brought glory to God as opposed to himself. God’s goodness to Solomon, and by extension, God’s goodness to Israel was recognized by the people (v 66).
New Testament reading: John 12-13
“The harvest is past; the summer has ended, and we are not saved.” So lamented the weeping prophet in Jeremiah 8:20. John 12:20-23 reminds us that a time will come when it will be too late to seek out Jesus. Some of the Greeks (Jewish proselytes) who had come up to worship at the feast desired to see Jesus. True to form, Andrew was ready to bring someone to see Jesus (cf John 1:40-42). But unlike at previous times, this meeting just wasn’t to be. Jesus’ response to Philip and Andrew was, “The hour is come that the Son of Man should be glorified.” In other words, there was something much more pressing and important that had to be done. Of course, we assume that these seekers could have believed on Jesus at a later time, but one cannot help but wonder why they had delayed in the first place, or if they saw the crucified Lord and gave up any idea of meeting him. The apostles and the men on the road to Emmaus were despondent to the point of despair, so it would not be a stretch to think these might have turned away from Jesus never to return.
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