Resurrection Week - Tuesday

On this Tuesday in Resurrection Week, our eyes have been enlightened, but we also want our minds and actions to be doubly influenced and infused with resurrection freedom. We have died with Christ and it is His Will that all such servants of His know the power and wisdom of His resurrection.

Yesterday, we were shown priest Ahimelech and how he responded to the one who had come by the temple asking for bread. We noted carefully that the one asking was in great, dire need of bread. I don’t know about you, but as soon as I heard the priest’s response, I heard Peter. Yes, our attention has been turned away to Peter and John in the New Testament.

We rejoice even more, because we can see the form in which the Lord has come to us, in His Divine, Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has come as the wind, free to blow as He wills and where He wills; to turn left or right and no one knows from where He is coming or to where He is going. Such is the power and authority, the wisdom and might of the Spirit and we are glad that He is turning us as He wills. Yes, like some of you, my mind was instantly transported to hear the words of Jesus’ servant, Peter.

As they, disciples of the Risen Lord Jesus, are about to enter the holy place to pray, they are stopped by the pleas of a crippled beggar who asks them for money. Is it not true that these servant-followers of the Living Jesus, are holding a living, Christ-testifying banner? They are going to the temple to pray, just as scores of others do. It is a sweet hour of prayer – three in the afternoon - and they are not alone in coming to pray. They are carrying the traditional prayer banner, so that all can see they uphold prayer and that they do pray, as all Jews are supposed to do.

However, another hidden banner has not been raised to the Glory of the Father, through Jesus Christ. It takes this beggar, sitting outside the place of prayer, to be the reason for the folded banner being unfolded. The one in need, asks the praying servants of Jesus for money. Note carefully and categorically so as well that the beggar, the needy one asking, never ever asked Peter and John for what they offered him. Return to the asker, who has come to the servant of God in the temple. Again, note carefully and categorically that David, the one in dire need, never ever asked Ahimelech the priest for what was offered to him.

This is most interesting and frankly speaking, amazing. The beggar never once mentioned aloud or even hinted any kind of thought about anything like having his physical condition changed. There was absolutely no hint of mention, on the beggar’s part, for any miracle works, any supernatural healing works from the praying servants of the Risen Lord – present in Pentecostal Spirit.

When we look at David, we note also that this child of God, in dire need of bread, never once mentioned aloud or even hinted any kind of thought about anything like having his spiritual condition changed. There was absolutely no hint of mention, on David’s part, for any special, or favoured treatment. He never went there to be given any special honour or privilege from the holy priest of the Living God, present in Divine Spirit.

Nevertheless, the needy, both of whom have come to the temple of the Lord, have received, not what they asked for but more than they asked for. As a servant of the Living Lord, what material are your gifts made of? If, like Ahimelech and Peter and John, your garment is of the strong, brightly shining material of faith and trust, then there can be nothing but rejoicing, to the honour and glory of God.