The Rod and the Cup

The Lord makes plain today that He is not mocked by outward religion. In the wilderness, many rods were laid before Him, but only one blossomed. Methodius says, “Yea, moreover, the rod of the priest which, without culture, blossomed forth in fruit,Numbers 17:8 the pledge and earnest of a perpetual priesthood, furnishe”. God Himself appoints the priest who may stand before Him. In the Gospel, that priest is made known: Christ comes to His hour, not seeking the praise of men, but the glory of the Father. Some honor Him like Mary, pouring out costly devotion; others harden themselves though they have seen the dead raised.

So the psalm warns the proud not to lift up their horn. Tertullian says, “for of Him comes judgment upon haughtiness, exalting, as He does, the humble, and depressing the elated.” Jeremiah shows how severe this is: a people may keep the forms of covenant life while breaking the covenant in deed. Therefore, hearing is not enough. The curse falls on those who refuse obedience; the warning is not for Judah only, but for all who confess God with the mouth while walking after stubborn desires.

John joins all this together. The rulers fear losing their place, while Greeks come seeking Jesus. The Pharisees say in envy, “Behold, do ye not see that nothing avails us? For lo, the whole world has followed him.” Christ’s kingdom will indeed gather the world, but only through His death. His cup is judgment for the proud and life for those who walk in the light. Therefore let your honor be costly, your repentance plain, and your obedience steady before the Judge who also bears up the pillars of the earth.