January 18, 2024
Read Genesis 18, Psalm 18, John 18
Genesis 18 opens with the statement, “The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day” v. 1. The next verse tells us that three men had come to visit with Abraham. Their identity would slowly be made known as you read the next two chapters. Abraham quickly offers these three a typical biblical show of hospitality. He offers them water and a fresh meal prepared just for them. This will be a stark contrast to the way the 2 angels are treated when they enter the town of Sodom in the next chapter. Abraham entertained these men without really knowing who they were, but he showed them kindness. We may not find ourselves entertaining angels, but entertaining people that have a need that we can meet. An act of kindness shown may bless them and it may come back as a blessing to us. The Lord blesses Abraham and Sarah, despite Sarah who “laughed to herself” v. 12 about the prospect of having a child in the next year. Sarah may have long given up on the promise that God made to them, and with 25 years having passed she scoffed at the idea taking place now. Have we forgotten who the Lord is and what kind of miracle working Savior He is?
The Lord reveals to Abraham what he is about to do with Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities of the plain. Abraham bargains with him, “What if only 50, 45, 40, 30, 20, and 10 righteous can be found there?” vv. 26-32. Abraham is concerned for his nephew Lot and his family. He doesn’t want the Lord to sweep away the righteous with the wicked. God is a just God and will not punish the righteous for the sake of the wicked.
Psalm 18 is a psalm of David where he celebrates the Lord’s hand in delivering him from King Saul and the enemies he faced on the run. “He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me” v. 17. David recognized it wasn’t his own wit or strength that gave him the victory, it was the Lord. David also states that it wasn’t because of who David was that God provided the rescue, it was his righteous acts that gave him the help from God. “The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me” v. 20. Too many times Christians can fall in the trap of thinking these same two thing. It was our own wisdom or strength that secured our victory. Many Christians think they can do no wrong because they are “Christians” and they stop focusing on their righteous living like they once did.
In John 18 we read of Jesus trail before the Jewish Sanhedrin and before Pilate. The trials and questioning is not about anything Jesus did. His miracles, he healed, preformed demon exorcisms, or his teaching. His trail was grounded on who Jesus claimed to be. He had given hints all through the Gospels and made people wonder if He indeed was the Christ. Now the religious leaders demanded an answer. Powerless to execute capital punishment, the Jews are forced to take Jesus to Pilate for the results they want. Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” v. 33. Jesus admits it so and Pilate finds no reason to charge him with a crime and desires to let Him go, but the Jews insist that he not. Who do you say that Jesus is to you? Some call Him a teacher, a prophet, a wise sage, but Jesus tells us in the Word that He is much more. Jesus is the promised Messiah, and Savior of the World.
What else do you see in these three chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stick out to you?
Write you thoughts below.
DId God Really Say... 