Day 151

1 Samuel 29:1-31:13, John 19:28-20:9, Psalms 68:28-35

The OT passages today and tomorrow see a transition from one chapter to another. Today Saul has died and tomorrow we move into the second book of Samuel, where David become king (although we will need to wait a couple of days for his coronation). “The king is dead, long live the king”.

If we were Jewish readers of these texts then this would be a hugely significant milestone. We have mentioned before (especially in relation to Jesus), the place that David holds within the Jewish tradition, in the hierarchy of earth and heaven he was not much below the  angels. Today we have seen something of his judgement, how he was fair to all his men, even the ones who stayed behind because they were so shattered. This is the man who is to rule Israel and, for many, be the greatest ruler of Israel. You also have to think it lucky that David did flee from Saul, because David used to be his armour bearer and we wouldn’t want David falling on his sword!!

From one king of the Jews we skip to another, for that is the title that is above Jesus head from yesterday. His death and resurrection, two distinct events, spread over different days at Easter, and yet here side by side. It goes back to yesterdays point about how the sadness is actually overcome by the joy. This truly was the greatest day in history. What struck me in reading today was a sense of tenderness with Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. There was a rush to get Jesus of the cross (remember the Jewish custom and the curse of being left on the tree overnight) but the way that John has written it offers a surreal sense of calm and care of the Lord. These are also two secret disciples, not from the twelve apostles. People come out of the woodwork when their time is right and the chips are down. Quite interesting parallels with the disciples at the foot of the cross yesterday and “the disciple whom Jesus loved”.

Whenever we read of Christ’s death and resurrection though we cannot fail to praise God for the gift of his son and the gift of life. Alongside all that Christ did on the cross we can also count the numerous other blessings that he lavishes upon us. The psalmist sums it up – “Praise be to God”. What do you want to praise God for today?