Today’s Scripture readings:Psalm 97; Psalm 99; Psalm 100, Jeremiah 17:19-27 ,Romans 7:13-25, John 6:16-27

Today’s writer: Mark Hedrick

I love reading Psalms 97 and 99 – they are in a group of Psalms (93 to 99) that extol the LORD as king over the whole earth. This theme of kingship continues through our readings for today. In our reading from Jeremiah 17: 19-27, the prophet tells the people of Jerusalem that their attitude of “business as usual” on the sabbath is but a symptom of their estrangement from God. If they would but listen to God, then “there shall enter by the gates of this city kings who sit on the throne of David.” In our reading from John 6: 16-27 (and just a few verses before verse 16), we see the crowd who Jesus has miraculously fed wanting to take Jesus by force and make him king. Jesus withdraws, and then walks on the sea of Galilee to his disciples in the boat on the sea. Jesus is thus not only seen as a political king, but also as the LORD of the earth and sea.

In Romans 7:13-25, Paul also speaks of Jesus as King and LORD. This time, though, King Jesus is depicted as the King furthering his plan for creation. As part of God’s reclamation purpose, the law was given not simply to improve our morality but as part of the plan to defeat evil, sin, and death once for all. As we continue reading in Romans, that plan will be completed in King Jesus, who has defeated evil, sin, and death!