Day 168: Living Real

Mark 12:1-27; 1Kings 3; Hosea 6:1-7:2

The story in Mark about the renters of the vineyard killing the owners son really makes me sad. Imagine, this guy thought, or hoped, that they would respect the son, but the renters were evil and killed him. First of all, these are just renters--we are just renters. We don't own this world, we aren't in control of our lives, we don't make our lungs take the next breath, we are just temporary residents. Secondly, the owner of the vineyard trusted these renters to care for the land, help it to produce, and share the harvest. Instead, they were selfish, greedy, and hateful. How often do I live my life selfishly, only for myself, or greedily, trying to acquire more and more of something that isn't really mine to keep. And then, when we have lived this way, the owner of the vineyard will return to carry out justice. God has put us in charge of this world in order that we might help to produce other followers of Christ, and be servants of him. Then, when he returns, he will bless us instead.

The next story in Mark is also interesting. The point here is that you can't trick God. Jesus knew they were trying to catch him somehow so they would have an excuse to rescue him. They sweet-talked him, but God isn't fooled. And he isn't fooled by us either. I can act holy, say complex prayers, wear my best clothes to church, and even call myself a Christian, but never truly give my life to Jesus. And God isn't fooled by that. He knows, and he's going to call people out on this one day.

What did Solomon want most? Wisdom. I'm sure he wanted riches too, and a long life, and to defeat his enemies. He would have been silly to not want those things. But he understood that those things will come if he understood how to lead and rule the kingdom. As soon as Solomon realized that God had spoken to him, he goes to offer sacrifices and celebrates. Our walk with The Lord is something we should give God glory for and celebrate.

So the people in Hosea want to return to The Lord. They believe that in just a few days that God will restore them and heal them. They believed that God would be merciful, and he is. But, God reminds them that their love for him disappears like a mist and it is that reason that he punished them. God knows that if he forgives these people and restores them, they are going to turn away again. Then he makes a very significant comment for the Old Testament: "I'd rather for you to be faithful and to know me than to offer sacrifices." Whoa. In the OT, they were all about sacrifices. But here, God reveals his heart. He doesn't just want rituals and dead animals--he wants our deep down, heart devotion. He wants to heal these people, he wants to restore them, but all he sees are their wicked deeds. God can change people's lives, he can even work in people's hearts, but ultimately, they have to decide who they will follow and what they will choose.