You have given him his heart’s desire.

 

Wednesday, November 8, 2023


Psalms 20; 21

2 Kings 13:14-25

Matthew 21:23-32


Observance: Saints, martyrs, missionaries and teachers of the Anglican Communion


You have given him his heart’s desire.


See the love between the Father and the Son of which this Psalm sings!


King Jesus rides out, our glorious king, He whom the Father loves to the utmost. Everything the Father has, the Son receives. As Jesus rose from the grave, taking up His life again, the Father places a crown of fine gold upon His head. Jesus’ trust in His Father is steadfast love – Jesus is able to go to the cross, give up His life for our sake, and get that life back again in the resurrection because He knows how much love His Father has for Him.


As reigning monarch, King Jesus is on a program of reform. This world which He has been given by His Father is in rebellion. Jesus demands perfection, and rides out to make this world perfect. There will be no more evil; mischievous schemes will be thwarted. The spiritual imagery we get to communicate the absolute destruction of evil is vivid: into the blazing oven will be thrown even the very concept of evil.


All this language, of resurrection, of authority, of righteousness, of love – it all has a purpose. The story of Jesus, the man who was also God, was done for a reason. The desire of Jesus’ heart was that He would be the One through whom a people were saved – called out – into God’s eternal life and love. The reason for life, the universe and everything (with the cross at the centre) is because Jesus wanted to do this for us. What an amazing heart Jesus has, to desire such a thing.


Be exalted, Lord Jesus, in your strength! We will sing and praise your power.

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