In 1 Chronicle 17, we read of David’s desire to build a Temple or house for the LORD. While the LORD was honored by David’s desire, He told David it was not for him, but for his son to build the Temple. He also promised David one of his sons would rule over Israel forever. David responded with a prayer of praise and gratitude to the Lord. One of the details of this account is the LORD reminding David that He called David from watching sheep to be the king over Israel. David didn’t start out as a military or political leader. He started out tending sheep. Moses was also a shepherd for forty years before he became the leader of Israel and led them out of slavery in Egypt. David wrote a psalm in which he said, “The Lord is my Shepherd…. Jesus would one day call Himself “the Good Shepherd.” The imagery of tending sheep is important in the life of God’s people. We could undoubtedly come up with many reasons for that. Let’s consider this one: human beings, for all our self-aggrandizement, are simple, sheep-like beings. We are easily led and misled. We aren’t as bright as we think we are. We die easily. The image of “sheep” is not a compliment to us. It is an accurate description. As we go about our daily lives, we must always remember the best way to “succeed” in life is to follow our Shepherd, Jesus, where He leads us.
1 Chronicles 18 offers us a list of the nations David and his army defeated. It then records the people in David’s administration. The chapter is brief and states matter-of-factly the great accomplishments of David. 1 Chronicles 19 follows in a similar vein as chapter 18 but records only the account of how the Ammonites disgraced David’s envoy, which he had sent to express condolences, when the king of the Ammonites died. David’s response was to send his army against them. In hopes of standing against Israel, the Ammonites called on the Syrians for help. Despite their having to fight on two fronts, the Israelites soundly defeated both the Ammonites and Syrians.
Matthew 16 starts with a brief account of the religious leaders asking Jesus for a sign. Jesus tells them they are able to read the signs of the weather, but He will not give them any sign of His authority except for the sign of Jonah. This means just as Jonah was three days and nights in the belly of a great fish, Jesus would be three days in the “belly” of the earth following His crucifixion. Next, as Jesus and the disciples are traveling, Jesus warns them to beware of the “leaven” of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. They misunderstand Jesus, thinking He was talking about literal bread. Jesus reminds them about His ability to multiply bread for thousands of people. Then they understand Jesus was talking about the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. This is an important reminder to all of us, because it shows us a leader’s teaching is “leaven,” that is it eventually sinks into the minds and hearts of the people being taught and changes the way they think. This ultimately leads to changes in actions, habits, and eventually brings about a new destiny. Be careful whose teaching you hear, learn and live! After this Jesus asked the disciples who the crowds said He was? They gave various answers of famous people who had come before Him. Then He asked, “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the living God.” Jesus told Simon (Peter) he was blessed for this response, because it was given to him by God. He also said that response would be the foundation on which He would build His church. After this, Jesus told the disciples He would be turned over to the religious leaders to be crucified but would rise on the third day. Peter rebuked Jesus for this statement, but Jesus rebuked Peter, calling him Satan, and telling him to get behind Him. Then Jesus told the disciples they must deny themselves and follow Him, and that any who save their life will lose it, but those who lose their lives for Him and the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven will find it. This charge is one each of us must remember and live. It is always easier to choose the path of least resistance, to go along with the world, but following Jesus, while difficult in the short run, and even over time, will bring eternal reward in the end.