Scripture Notes: Psalm 69:8-9; Luke 23:31

Luke 23:31; Psalm 68:8‑9  •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 9
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1
It is in no wise to be inferred from this scripture that natural relationships may be refused. To be "without natural affection" is one of the features of the "perilous times" (2 Tim. 3). What we have here is wholly different. Before the commencement of our Lord's public ministry, He was, as we read, "subject" unto Joseph and Mary. In this relationship, as in every other, He was perfect, and, as such, our blessed example. But when, after His baptism and anointing, He entered upon His service, come as He was to do the will of God, He, as the true Nazarite, had "the consecration of His God... upon His head." And hence, until His work was finished, He was devoted solely and entirely to the glory of God. The claims of God henceforward absorbed Him; the zeal of His Father's house consumed Him; and consequently He became a stranger unto His brethren, and an alien unto His mother's children.
When, therefore, on one occasion someone interrupted Him, and said, "Behold, Thy mother and Thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with Thee," He answered, "Who is My mother? and who are My brethren?" When, moreover, at the marriage feast in Cana of Galilee, His mother came to Him with a suggestion as to the wine, He replied, "Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come." But when His work was ended, one thing only remaining to be accomplished, He, in the infinite tenderness of His perfect love in the relationship toward Mary which He has condescended to assume, committed her, ere "He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost," to the care of the disciple whom He loved. The application to ourselves is evident. Every relationship in which we are set is to be diligently observed. (See Eph. 5:22; 6:1-922Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. (Ephesians 5:22)
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2Honor thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. 4And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 5Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; 6Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: 8Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. 9And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him. (Ephesians 6:1‑9); Col. 3:18; 4:118Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. (Colossians 3:18)
1Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. (Colossians 4:1).) If, however, the Lord calls to special service, His claims are paramount, and, it might almost be added, exclusive. Accordingly, when He said to one, "Follow Me," and he replied, "Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father," Jesus said unto him, "Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God." So likewise Levi at the word of Christ "left all, rose up, and followed Him." (Compare Deut. 33:8, 98And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah; 9Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children: for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant. (Deuteronomy 33:8‑9).) True that every believer is now a Nazarite, a Nazarite from his birth (the new birth); but it is not every believer who is a Nazarite according to Numbers 6—one, that is, who in the energy of the Holy Spirit, is devoted, as Paul, for example, was, wholly and entirely to the Lord and His claims. To this privilege but few attain, even though it is proffered to many. If, however, we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our hearts.
2
The "green tree" in this scripture is Christ Himself, and the "dry" is the Jewish nation. Together with others, the women of Jerusalem followed Jesus on His way to Calvary, and, in the natural tenderness of their hearts they "bewailed and lamented Him." Jesus, turning, bade them weep rather for themselves and for their children, on account of the judgment that would soon fall upon the unhappy and guilty city and people (vv. 29, 30), adding, "For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?" That is, if such things—wickedness, malice, hypocrisy, unrighteous judgment, and a degrading death—were visited upon Him who was like a green tree (compare Psalm 1:33And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (Psalm 1:3); Jer. 17:7, 87Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. 8For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. (Jeremiah 17:7‑8)), what should be done to the people who were as a dry tree, morally dead before God, without fruit or even leaves, and who were now committing their crowning sin in the rejection of their Messiah? For such a state, symbolized by a dry tree, there remained nothing but the ax and the fire. (Compare Matt. 3:1010And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. (Matthew 3:10).)