I get a kick out of Psalm 2. Hundreds of years before Jesus appeared in Israel King David was receiving in-depth imagery of who the Savior of the world would be. In fact, David was a “type” of the Kingship and forever reign of Jesus the Son, and in Him David was told he would find immortality. What a promise!
“Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.” In accordance with all these words and all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.
“Then David the king went in and sat before the LORD, and he said, “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far? And yet this was insignificant in Your eyes, O Lord GOD, for You have spoken also of the house of Your servant concerning the distant future. And this is the custom of man, O Lord God. Again what more can David say to You? For You know Your servant, O Lord God! For the sake of Your word, and according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness to let Your servant know.” 2 Samuel 7:16-21
We note several things from Psalm 2.
First, mankind is in opposition to God. We do all we can to throw off the limitation of the rule of our King. (1-3)
When you have been scorned by Your created ones, those made in Your image, He laughs, scoffs, and is insulted beyond anything we can imagine. (4-6)
Notice the connectors between His Anointed (2), His Kingship (6), and His Sonship (7). These are “decrees” of God Most High and as such will come to pass.
Now He gives His proclamation to every king and every subject who has ever lived (10-12).
His closing advice is to “kiss the Son.” It literally means to bow before His authority. This is the only escape of any of mankind. Humility is the Door into Jesus and His Kingdom.
THE BEATITUDES
You are no doubt familiar with the so-called “be-attitudes” in Matthew 5. Certainly Jesus taught this many times during His three to four year public mission. It needs to be considered the way it was written – as a progression. Let’s take a look.
He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,
1 (vs 3) Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
2 (vs 4) Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
3 (vs 5) Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
4 (vs 6) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
5 (vs 7) Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
6 (vs 8) Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
7 (vs 9) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Jesus goes on to teach us about being persecuted and insulted, the salt of the earth, and the light of the world. (another progression?) He then spends several paragraphs explaining the Law of Moses’ relationship to His law (5:17-48).
How does one embrace the Son? Consider Him. Recognize Who He is. Bow our will before Him.
Beautiful but difficult for sure.
Dave and Burnadette
Dear Lord Jesus, We come to you to be restored in You, to receive all the grace and mercy we so desperately need this day. You are our Great I Am/God-of-the angel-armies. We surrender every aspect of our lives and selves completely to You. We offer You our spirit, soul and body, our heart, mind, conscience, and will. We stand in grace completely covered with Your precious, redeeming blood. As we pray we ask Your Good Spirit to restore and renew us in You. We stand in absolute agreement with Your Spirit and my intercessors and allies.