John the Baptist in the Wilderness, Wikipedia CCL
Meditation
Saturday, Ordinary 29, Proper 24 showed the extremes of life among the faithful. The Old Testament lesson in Exodus celebrated the completion of the Tabernacle artifacts—the candlesticks, the altars, the Ark of the Covenant with the Mercy Seat, the screens, the poles to carry the ark, the bronze altars, the golden coverings and more—everything that God had asked for that had been beautifully mastered by God’s specially chosen craftsman was perfect. Moses blessed the Tabernacle and its artisans, who brought the vision to its glory.
But the New Testament lesson revealed the other extreme—the story of Herod beheading John the Baptist. John the Baptist had criticized Herod for his marriage to his brother’s wife. She was none too pleased and when her daughter danced before Herod and was granted anything, she asked her daughter for John the Baptist’s head. Even Herod with all his faults knew that this was wrong, but he honored his promise and brought John the Baptist’s head on a platter.
Herod recognized the wrong but did it anyway. Moses led the Hebrews back into faithfulness and hired God’s chosen artisans to construct the specific artifacts of the Tabernacle. Within the world we live in will be the extremes. Some commit their hearts and lives in service to God. Others seek ways to defeat or undermine the work of God. We have choices to make. Where we place our energy and take action.
God can work with both circumstances. The evil of the world and the good to bring about marvelous things.
Thanks be to God.
All Scriptures printed below are in King James Version for copyright purposes. However, clicking on the verse locations will take you to Biblegateway.com where the text is linked to more contemporary versions.
Click on the Scriptures for links to biblegateway.com, where many translations of the same text enhance the understanding the readings, which come from the (RCL) Revised Common Lectionary – Daily Lectionary
Readings. I add a Daily Prayer to bless you with God’s Favor.
Enjoy the Daily Encouragement and Bible Study and may you be inspired to be your best self for Ordinary 29, Proper 24 .
Ordinary 29, Proper 24
Praise to the Lord the Almighty – Fernando Ortega
The Beheading of John the Baptist
This relief panel from an 18th-century reredos in the parish church in Bartrès near Lourdes shows the saint’s martyrdom. Fr Lawrence Lew, OP, flickr CCL
Prayer: Almighty God, Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mind that I might understand. Open my heart that I might make your words a part of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen
Ordinary 29, Proper 24
Under His Wings My Soul Shall Abide – Anabaptist Menonite A Capella choir
John the Baptist
Detail from a window in Ampleforth Abbey church. Fr Lawrence Lew, OP, flickr CCL
Ordinary 29, Proper 24
Bible Readings
http://legacy.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2099;Exodus%2039:32-43;Matthew%2014:1-12&version=KJV;ERV;GNT;NCV;NIV
(multiple versions)
Saturday, Ordinary 29, Proper 24
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
King James Version (KJV)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
Ordinary 29, Proper 24
Now Thank We All Our God — The Cambridge Singers and the City of London Sinfonia
The Tabernacle Design
Tabernacle Schematic, Wikipedia, CCL
Single Bible Study chapter to study
King James Version (KJV)
14 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,
2 And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.
3 For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife.
Feast of Herod with the Beheading of St John the Baptist 1630, Prado, Wikipedia CCL
4 For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.
5 And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
Salome, daughter of Herodias, dances for her step-father; Herod’s Banquet by Fra Filippo Lippi 1752-65 Wikipedia CCL
6 But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.
8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger.
9 And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.
10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.
Puvis de Chavannes, The Beheading of St John the Baptist, c. 1869 Wikipedia CCL
11 And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.
12 And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.
Tomb of John the Baptist; Wikipedia, CCL
OBSERVE:
Take a moment and write three observations of the verses. What strikes you? An observation is an observable fact from the Word.
1.
2.
3.
INTERPRETATION:
What do you interpret these verses to mean for you today?
APPLY:
Today, I learned _____________________________________and apply it to my life.
Prayer of Encouragement
Almighty God, when we face joy and/or sorrow, we give you thanks for you have brought us each step of the way. You work in our lives for our best even when times are challenging and overwhelming. We trust you and believe in your plan for us. May we celebrate as Moses did at the completion of the Tabernacle. In Jesus name, Amen
Ordinary 29, Proper 24 Music
Bless the Lord O My Soul – Matthew Redman
Ordinary 29, Proper 24 Humor
John the Baptist –Willing to Sacrifice
©Jeff Larson, Used by permission
Whom Shall I Fear – Chris Tomlin
I hope you found a chance to encounter your Creator and experience the Love of God and the joy of Christ in Ordinary 29, Proper 24 .
Conclusion
Saturday, Ordinary 29, Proper 24’s lesson dealt with the extremes of celebration at the finishing of the Tabernacle—the tent of meeting, and the sadness of Herod’s decapitation of John the Baptist. But the Psalmist carried the theme of both the greatness of God in the history of the Jews and the threat of those who would strive to work against the Lord. The nations, who were against God, should be fearful because there would be accountability and those who were faithful could celebrate.
Life in our world vacillates from both ends—the nations and individuals that would fight against God, who would behave in ways opposing the humility and the service of God’s chosen—as well as those, who faithfully serve in the face of odds against them—Moses and John the Baptist—for God will use their service for the ultimate glory of God. We must choose to accept our call/place in the work of God.
Go out and be ready for God to do mighty things in your life—for the glory of God.*
Thank you for visiting ChapLynne’s Daily Encouragement and Bible Study. Please like if it was meaningful. God bless you.
*If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior and you are seeking, please contact me. A genuine and simple prayer, asking God into your heart for the forgiveness of your sins will also do.
Please like if you are blessed and don’t hesitate to comment or contact me. I love hearing from you.
ChapLynne's Chat 