DAY 107

THE CENTER

2 Samuel 1 & 2 and Luke 14:1 – 24

David’s commitment to God is revealed again in our readings today. Think about it for a moment. Saul is dead and David does two things that are quite the opposite from what we might expect. We might expect him to throw a party because the man who had been trying to kill him for years is dead, and we might expect him to offer a cool drink or more to the man who brings this good news. David does the opposite.

God’s anointed is dead: David mourns. Even though God’s anointed persecuted David, David’s respect for God was such that he would neither judge God nor judge the one whom God made king. Further, to admit that you stood by and did not do everything in your power to protect God’s anointed, that is worthy of death. Chapter 1 of 2 Samuel is in some ways the first chapter of David’s reign as king; it shows us his heart.

Simply put, David keeps God in the Center of his life.

What follows is an immediate struggle between two halves of the twelve tribes. Even though David is starting well, one man’s heart can’t erase all that has taken place before. He will struggle during most of his reign with this situation.

You may remember reading how Saul, after he sacrificed to the Lord without waiting for Samuel and Samuel told Saul that God had removed his blessing, reached out and grabbed Samuel’s robe and tore it. Samuel prophesized that the nation would be torn in two – today we read of them fighting with each other and the prophesy happening (1 Samuel 15:27). Yet as Joab and Abner are about to engage again in battle we read “Do you not know that the end will be bitter? How long will it be before you tell your people to turn from the pursuit of their brothers?” And the battle stops.

In the New Testament we see Jesus behaving as we have grown accustomed: call it grace or mercy or compassion. Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath and then points out to those who struggle with this kindness that even they help their animals on the Sabbath when those animals are in need.

As people are taking their seats at the table Jesus seizes upon another teachable moment. “Don’t sit in the best places,” he says. Let the host invite you forward. Jesus is teaching us not to presume that the banquet is “all about us.” He even gives a reason, pointing out how embarrassed we would be if we had to “move down the ladder” vice “up.” Then He presses the teaching more. Some “take for granted their invitation” that they don’t even bother coming. Maybe they are thinking, “I come another time.”

Clearly this is directed at the Jewish people who count themselves “invited” because of their heritage. But that is the problem, “Thinking it is all about them (or us). Taking the best seat or dismissing the invitation, these are actions where we are putting ourselves at the center. Even the Sabbath protocols so “we” don’t do any work while others suffer has us in the center and not God.

What does God want? God wants all to be invited, all to feel His healing touch. God wants us to go to the ends of the earth with the Good News. Go to the Highways and Hedges – as far as possible – God says.

We will only do this when we keep Him in the Center.