Isaiah 51:1–6; Psalm 138; Romans 11:33–12:8; Matthew 16:13–20
(When you click on the above link you will be taken to a simple text version of all our weekend readings. There are several different translations so you can see some differences in the versions I usually preach from. You are obviously more than welcome to get in a little Bible workout and use your first language translation or preferred version.)
Do you seek righteousness? This is a question we could ask ourselves when reading this passage from Isaiah. Jesus told us in Matthew 6 that the person who seeks righteousness, who hungers and thirsts for it, will be filled up. This is such a good promise. If you have been seeking after something and finally you are told that you will get it to the fullest…what could be better.
Unfortunately we have been trained to believe that seeking after righteousness means being “holier than thou“. We very easily miss that true righteousness is not something that we work out ourselves or in ourselves. True righteousness is a person. Jesus.
vv.1-2 of our Isaiah text continue with questions of who do you come from. In the text the answer is Abraham. The author wants God’s first people hearing and reading this to remember that you come from the family that God gave his promises to.
But as we know in our studies in Romans over the last couple of weeks not everyone that is of Abraham’s bloodline is actually a part of God’s people. Who is then? The person who believes in those promises. The person who knows that God is still fulfilling his promises to Abraham by blessing and multiplying his family, making him the father of many nations. Adding into that family of God people from every tribe nation and tongue.
Everyone wants righteousness in some way and most define it for themselves. But in the midst of this God himself promises to save and make all things new (Isaiah 51.3).
vv.4-6 off to us another interesting picture. God’s righteousness coming near. His salvation going out. His arms judging and protecting. The people of the world, all kinds of us waiting on him. The promise of God, his righteousness, justice, and lovingkindness are spoken of like they are a person because indeed they are.
In Psalm 138 David looks forward to this. But in the final line of v.8 we see something very interesting and bold. Something that probably goes against your piety like it does mine. “Do not forsake the work of your hands“. David is reminding God of his promises. You are encouraged to do that in this Psalm. God has not forgotten and neither will you.
Another verse from this Psalm which jumps out is v.2, “for you have exalted above all things your name and your word”. We know from Philippians 2 that Jesus is exalted above all things. That he has been given the name that is exalted above all things and that he himself is the Word made flesh who has authority over everything.
Matthew 16.13-20 offers to us the event of Peter confessing Jesus as Saviour. After traveling with Jesus and the Word of God consistently pouring into his ears Peter confesses Jesus as Saviour. Because Peter was smart. Not exactly. Because faith comes by hearing and hearing through the word of God. The Promises of God came in the person and work of Jesus. And the promises are received by hearing.
Romans 11:33-12:8 begins with a short meditation of praise for God fulfilling his promises. And then we move into a section of the text where we are encouraged to not just being welcomed into the family of God but also to act like a family member. Paul encourages us to realise that all kinds of people in the church have all kinds of strengths (and weaknesses) and abilities to offer to the body. And that we should not withhold an arm, finger, nose, or liver from the body of Christ.
God has made you for the body and the whole body for you.