16 January 2016 - the divine physician

[ Today's Readings ]

Jesus said to him, “Follow me.”
And he got up and followed Jesus.

Let's hear and respond the way Levi does. Let's get up and follow Jesus. Levi knows that he needs a doctor. He knows that he is sick and needs a doctor. We don't always realize this. We are slow to respond to Jesus because we perceive a certain self-sufficiency. We think we're doing OK without him. Or perhaps, we think we have enough now and we don't need to go any closer. He calls us when we are sinners. Even following him we remain imperfect. We are sustained in holiness only insofar as we continue to pursue him. We are the sick who need a doctor. We are the sinners who need a savior. But here he stands.

He isn't looking for our qualifications. Saul may be handsome. He may be tall. But these aren't the reasons that the LORD calls him to make him the first king of Israel. If anything, the human trait that God wants is his persistence, probably inherited from his "stalwart" father. We see it on display in his tenacity on the hunt. He keeps hunting in order to fulfill his father's request when he might legitimately want to give up. And because he continues he runs into Samuel. He fails at his apparent purpose but stumbles across a larger one.

The LORD gives Saul a natural persistence that he uses. But natural gifts aren't enough. They leave us without the animals for which we hunt. We remain sick and in need of a doctor. It is his anointing and that alone which truly makes us pleasing to him.

Then, from a flask he had with him, Samuel poured oil on Saul’s head;
he also kissed him, saying:
“The LORD anoints you commander over his heritage.
You are to govern the LORD’s people Israel,
and to save them from the grasp of their enemies roundabout.

Persistence is great, of course. But there is much more required of a king than that. Wouldn't we be overwhelmed to be set at the head of a nation even with whatever gifts and talents which we bring? And yet we are all anointed priest, prophet, and king. This position is even more exalted than that of Saul. We need the LORD's help even more to live it out.

O LORD, in your strength the king is glad;
in your victory how greatly he rejoices!