Rest under this tree

“Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree.” (Genesis 18:4)

 

In the day, ahead of few days coming sufferings and resurrection, many people welcomed shouting for joy to Jesus, who was entering Jerusalem, waving branches of palm tree. But such the atmosphere had disappeared so soon, and a hard situation began to Jesus. In the end of sufferings, Jesus was crucified but He resurrected from dead in three days. Like that, there appeared successive events of welcome, hardships, triumph and glory of resurrection. This Bible text contains these three contents: Abraham who greeted the three visitors, and Sarah who laughed despondently at the words that she will give birth to a son, and Jehovah whom nothing is impossible to. Let’s think a meaning that the process of the welcome and hardships gives, shown prior to resurrection seeing the looks of Abraham and Sarah.

 

People’s attitude that changes lightly depending on the situation, it makes me understand on one hand but also feel sad heart. Even though don’t think the people of Jerusalem more than 2,000 years ago, we’ll be able to feel so such a thing sufficiently in relationship one another. The same was true of the Abraham and Sarah’s case. Abraham welcomed the visitors, and the people of Jerusalem also welcomed Jesus with joy, first. Righteous heart to look at the Lord has been given by God. Men cannot do good on their own, but if they follow the light of the Holy Spirit, they can achieve a life that the Lord rejoices. “I will send the Advocate to you. When He comes, He will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment.” Jesus said, in John 16:7~8. Now do accept within your mind with joy Christ and the Holy Spirit, who have come down for the salvation of man.

 

By the way, the situation of sufferings that linked after welcome, this seems to be too contradictory and tragic. However, even if such thing is a real world rather, it wouldn’t be wrong words. It’s often said that the human mind changes different by morning and evening. That means, “a person’s mind is capricious as it changes so often.” These days, we can see and feel such things through politicians. So we often feel tired of the attitudes of those who go back and forth according to the situation by the calculation of interests without loyalty or principles. How would be great if there were people who showed a deep loyalty and principles! But the problem is, it is so, not just them, but most of people. How sad is it that Jesus’ sufferings began with those who had welcomed Him few days ago!

 

Abraham welcomed and treated the three visitors with all his heart. After meal, they said to Abraham, “Sarah your wife will have a son about this time next year.” At that time, Abraham was 99 years old and Sarah was 89 years old, and they were already old not to be given birth of child. No matter who heard it, the visitors’ words couldn’t help but sound absurd. The same was true for Abraham and Sarah to hear. So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?” Abraham and Sarah’s behaviors that welcomed the visitors and treated them with all their heart were certainly good, but their thoughts were inadequate to be able to accept the words that they were going to have a son. There aren’t a little people with generous mind, but it seems to be no person has a clear will to believe.

 

Jehovah the Lord pointed out Sarah’s negative mind and said, “Is anything impossible for the Lord?” Not only Abraham, who is called the Father of Faith, and his wife Sarah but also anybody cannot find and follow God oneself. In Romans 3:10 and 11, Paul wrote, “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.” Neither King David nor Paul the apostle wouldn’t have become great men if God’s hands had not guided them. Jesus came down to the world, because man cannot do good and reach God’s salvation for oneself. Thus unless man realizes one’s own negative identity, anybody can’t believe in Christ truly. Being nice person by going to church is not the whole purpose of faith.

 

Both welcoming and suffering are the process of going toward the resurrection. Abraham could hear the words of promise to be born to a son, by welcomed the angels. They hadn’t believe it at first, but with God’s power, they could give birth to a son in old age. In the childhood, some attend church habitually, but even that is done under the grace and providence of the Lord. Even if had a time of wandering without faith at the time of youth, but a new life of resurrection can be created to him by the power of Jesus. I wish even if you’re not sure right now, be a person who welcomes the Lord within your spirit.

 

(Written by Koonoh, Pastor of JDO Presbyterian Church in Korea, on April 2nd 2023)