Old Testament reading: Genesis 32-34
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1). This verse is beautifully illustrated in the lives of Jacob and Esau as they are reconciled after many years of separation. Fearing his brother’s wrath is still not subsided after many years, Jacob divides his family, servants and possessions in the event of attack. Jacob’s prayer for deliverance (32:9-12) is an exhibition of his faith in God’s promise (31:3), but exhibits little faith in his brother. Arranging for a succession of gifts to assuage Esau’s anger, Jacob comes to realize his fear was completely unfounded. What a beautiful picture is painted that after the passage of so much “water under the bridge” that Esau comes to realize that a relationship with his brother far exceeds any physical blessing he may have earlier forfeited. Perhaps Esau came to remember and realize that in his hastiness he received that to which he had agreed. Too many families remained estranged over various faults and accusations. Whether real or perceived, we should strive to have the heart of Esau as witnessed in today’s reading.
New Testament reading: Matthew 27-28
Today’s reading contains my reason for living. The gospel is the good news. In our text we see for the first time the declaration of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead: “He is not here, for He is risen, as He said” (28:6). If Jesus is not risen from the dead, then our faith is nothing but an exercise in futility and we are still in our sins (1 Cor 15:17). But Paul declared without equivocation, “now Christ is risen from the dead” (1 Cor 15:20). What a horrible thought to have within us the inner witness of sin (cf Rom 2:14-15) with no hope or divine instruction regarding a remedy for the same. What emptiness! What despair! But our faith in the resurrection of Jesus, and the picturing of the same in our own death, burial and resurrection (Rom 6:3-7), fills the void created by Satan and sin. As the words of that old Gaither song say, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow; Because He lives, all fear is gone.” Every day should be lived in service and praise to God because Jesus lives!
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