The Half Of It (1 Kings 10:6-7)

 


Monday, 15 September, 2025


Psalm 37:1-17

1 Kings 10:1-13

Matthew 4:12-22


Observances: Holy Cross (transferred from September 14); John Oliver Feetham, bishop and bush brother (d. 1947)


The Half Of It (1 Kings 10:6-7)


And she said to the king, “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom, but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report that I heard.


To be pleasantly surprised is one of those little joys in life that make the living that much better. Pleasant surprises are lurking around every corner, ready to pounce if we have a heart prepared to receive them.


I’m not sure if we could describe the experience of the Queen of Sheba as a pleasant surprise. She seemed a little more enthusiastic. But to be fair, she had just met King Solomon at his height, in all his typological glory.


And so when we got to visit the King to whom Solomon pointed, our Lord Jesus, I suspect we often have a similar experience. We bring the wealth of our lives, and discover that it pales in comparison to his. We hear his wisdom and it makes us rejoice. And he gives us everything we ask for in his name. One difference is that the Queen of Sheba then went home; but when we go to visit the Kingdom of God, we find that in fact we have come hom.


What heavenly riches has our King of Heaven bestowed on you? What was something you had heard about Jesus which you found you didn’t even know the half of?


King of heaven, King of creation, King of kings, our Lord Jesus Christ: mercifully receive the tribute we bring which, even though is nothing compared to your gifts to us, are the gracious means by which we can show our love for you.

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