Here are the recommended readings this week:

• Jeremiah 31:31-34
• Hebrews 5:5-10
• John 12:20-33
• Psalm 51:1-12

The Old Testament reading is what you might expect considering the liturgical season and considering the texts we have had over the past couple weeks.  There are two distinct things that get my attention this morning.  The first is what we know is coming, the age of Christ, the new covenant sealed in his blood.  Secondly, we get the part about everyone knowing the Lord, that we would no longer need to exhort each other anymore with knowing God.  While this is not directly what is being said, it did make me think of what Jesus said in the Gospel last week.  We know about Jesus, but some have chosen to as he said, “love the darkness.”  Again, not exactly what it is saying, but just what it made me think of.

If you have gone to church, even infrequently, you’re likely familiar with sections of the Psalm for the day.  I can already tell you that portions of this will be our call to worship Sunday.  I’m willing to go out on a limb and also say that I will use Spurgeon’s Treasury of David to work up a Sunday School lesson for the adult class.  “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”  Verse 10 may be seen as the climax or highlight, but this whole first 12 verses of Psalm 51 is such a perfect companion to the conversations we have been having these past couple weeks.  We read of lovingkindness and mercy as well as a bitter confession from the Psalmist.  Fantastic stuff here this week.

In Hebrews, the writer is impressing upon us that Jesus was a much different type of religious authority.   He was not a high priest, but his commission (so to speak) came directly from God the Father.  We also get a name we don’t see or hear very often: Melchizedek.   There have been a lot of things written about Melchizedek and most is apocryphal fantasy in my opinion.  What we do know is that Melchizedek was considered a priest of some sort (and also a king) at the time the covenant was being made with Abraham.  The connection between that covenant and the new one should not be lost on us considering the reading we had from Jeremiah.

As long as I am here at Timberville, this text from John’s Gospel will be special.  There’s a small plaque on the pulpit referencing this reading.   This can be a Scripture that pulls Jesus out of the Bible and into the pew next to you or suck you into the moment referenced.  How can you not put yourself in that place and hear those words, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”  We should all seek Him.  Coming out of the OT lesson last week and the reference in the Gospel, we need to be looking to Christ for salvation.  That is ultimately why he was here, to offer a way to God the Father.  Despite the muck and the mire, we see swirling around us, we can always rise above it by clinging to the one true light, to the one who was lifted up from the earth, both on a cross and into heaven.  I’d go on quite a bit on the three verses that follow this section, but I fear they may be what’s on tap for next week.  Read the whole chapter, what’s ahead and behind the recommended reading, it’s well worth it.

This first blush look will need much refining through study and prayer.  I hope each one of you will spend some time with the Scripture this week.