Sun.’s Devo - Jacob and Esau

Read Gen. 26:17-27:46, Matt. 9:1-17, Ps. 10:16-18, Pr. 3:9-10 In the world of types and shadows, the firstborn represents the old man that is born of the flesh. The second born represents the new man, born of the spirit. The new man supplants the old just as Jacob’s name meant supplanter. Esau hated the things of God because the old man does, so he despised his birthright to feed his flesh. He only wanted the blessing. Jacob wanted both and got both. Rebekah played the part of the Holy Spirit who helped Jacob succeed even if it did seem unfair and crafty. Jesus was misunderstood in today’s reading by the scribe who thought he was being blasphemous when he forgave the man’s sins. He was so tripped by what Jesus said that he missed what Jesus did. Jesus made a man who had the palsy rise from his bed and walk. He further blew their religious minds when he passed the tax collector named Matthew and told him he was coming home to eat with him. God chooses who he will. God chose Jacob and hated Esau. He chose the tax collector and not the scribe. God doesn’t look on the outside of man, but on the heart. Jesus explained it this way: “I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” The scribes and Pharisees thought they were righteous and didn’t see their need to repent. The people that were drawn to Jesus knew they were sinners and wanted to be righteous. Jesus couldn’t put his new wine of salvation into vessels that were trying to get to him the old way - through sacrifices and works. Lord, help us to be new bottles that aren’t looking for you to do things like you did yesterday, but allow you to do a new thing in us and in the world.