When God Laughs (1 of 7)
Michael White
Psalm 2
''I would rather die on my feet than live on my knees''. These are the words of Emeliano Zapata, a military leader in the Mexican revolution who found it more worthy to fight for freedom and die than live under oppression. He eventually was ambushed and killed for his cause.
Some 150 years earlier Patrick Henry said along the same lines ''Give me liberty or give me death!'' These words were so effective that they swung the balance in the state of Virginia's decision to send troops to fight against the British in the American Revolution, may of whom would also die for the cause of freedom,
These are stirring moments in history and stirring words. They are rally cries by patriots seeking to throw off the oppression of an unjust government- and we typically look back on them with pride.
They were exclaimed by people willing to die for the cause which they so vehemently believed.
And what greater example is this than our Lord Jesus Christ? He selflessly served all of mankind with his life- and became a martyr in his death that we might be freed from the slavery and oppression of sin.
And so we commend this type of liberation- this seeking of freedom in behalf of one's own people- to be liberated from slavery or a cruel demagogic regime.
But when we look at the type of freedom being sought in Psalm 2, it is completely different from what is sought here. Because whereas the freedom Jesus sought was the greatest example of submission to his father. the freedom of these kings is the very embodiment of self-adulating defiance.
Because the raging nations in Psalm 2 express the defiant pursuit of personal freedom from all authority. And Not from an unjust regime- but from the governing authority of God himself.
Rather than fighting for freedom for the betterment of others- as did Jesus Christ - it seeks to throw off all restraint and order in pursuit of pleasing oneself.
And isn't this so ubiqu ...
Michael White
Psalm 2
''I would rather die on my feet than live on my knees''. These are the words of Emeliano Zapata, a military leader in the Mexican revolution who found it more worthy to fight for freedom and die than live under oppression. He eventually was ambushed and killed for his cause.
Some 150 years earlier Patrick Henry said along the same lines ''Give me liberty or give me death!'' These words were so effective that they swung the balance in the state of Virginia's decision to send troops to fight against the British in the American Revolution, may of whom would also die for the cause of freedom,
These are stirring moments in history and stirring words. They are rally cries by patriots seeking to throw off the oppression of an unjust government- and we typically look back on them with pride.
They were exclaimed by people willing to die for the cause which they so vehemently believed.
And what greater example is this than our Lord Jesus Christ? He selflessly served all of mankind with his life- and became a martyr in his death that we might be freed from the slavery and oppression of sin.
And so we commend this type of liberation- this seeking of freedom in behalf of one's own people- to be liberated from slavery or a cruel demagogic regime.
But when we look at the type of freedom being sought in Psalm 2, it is completely different from what is sought here. Because whereas the freedom Jesus sought was the greatest example of submission to his father. the freedom of these kings is the very embodiment of self-adulating defiance.
Because the raging nations in Psalm 2 express the defiant pursuit of personal freedom from all authority. And Not from an unjust regime- but from the governing authority of God himself.
Rather than fighting for freedom for the betterment of others- as did Jesus Christ - it seeks to throw off all restraint and order in pursuit of pleasing oneself.
And isn't this so ubiqu ...
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