Sometimes when I can’t sleep I think about how life was for Jesus. Suppose I can’t get comfortable in bed, I think of how Jesus didn’t have a place to lay His head. When I’m too warm or too cold, I remember that Jesus didn’t have central air or heat.
Jesus never experienced the comforts of modern living, such as sanitary sewers, electricity, and modern medicine.
As the King of all kings, Jesus lived in a country dominated by an oppressive foreign power and overseen by corrupt religious authorities.
Today’s lectionary readings focus on the King of all kings, who ruled by serving humanity.
Today’s readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031925.cfm.
Reading 1 – 2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16
The prophet Nathan delivered this word to David. Little did anyone know that the king he prophesied would ultimately be Jesus, the Savior of the world.
When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.
He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:12-14a, 16).
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29
Following the exile in 587 BC, the Israelites were dominated by one nation after another. However, when they met for worship, they confirmed their faith that God was in control and establishing His king over the nation.
I declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.
You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to my servant David:
‘I will establish your descendants forever and build your throne for all generations.’ ” Selah
I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth
I will establish his line forever and his throne as long as the heavens endure. (Psalm 89:2-3, 4, 27 and 29)
The Davidic kingdom that Nathan and the Psalms describe is more real than any earthly kingdom. However, it operates according to God’s standard, not that of humanity.
Pilate asked Jesus if He was a king. This is how He described His rule:
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here” (John 18:36).
Reading 2 – Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22
Like Abraham, we live in God’s kingdom by trusting God and the reality of His rule.
No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
Therefore “it was reckoned to him as righteousness” (Romans 4:20-22).
Verse Before the Gospel – Psalm 84:5
Happy are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. (Psalm 84:5)
Gospel – Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a
“Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us” (Matthew 1:23-24).
Pilate may have thought he was talking to a carpenter’s son from Galilee, but little did he know that the man he was about to send to his death was Emmanuel, God with us.
While we focus on earthly leaders, how often do we miss the presence of God with us? Let’s look for His presence in every experience today.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed the price Jacob paid to obtain Rachel as his wife in Genesis 29.
Real Voices 