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Oh Lord, our creator, forgive us for taking your holiness and compassion for granted. Accept our thoughts and words as an act of worship today as we seek to understand your will. Amen
Response to Exodus 35:10-36:38.
I have often looked at this time of Israeli history as the making of the holiest generation that ever lived. The strength of their character and dedication to the Lord was beyond anything seen on earth before or since. However, as we see this strength develope, it is easy to see God at work making them holy. They were unable to take Him for granted.
On February 11, we read in Exodus 32 of Moses and God's anger as they dealt with Israel's idolotry. With Moses' prompting, The Levites killed about 3000 with the sword and a plague affected the people. It would appear in today's reading that the people's hearts had been awakened toward honoring God. They have been reverent while waiting for Moses to return from the Mountain. They stand at the doorways of their tents in worship as they witness the sign of God visiting with Moses in His tent. They are honoring Moses as their leader, and we have heard nothing of grumbling for several chapters. The people are prepared to work together and begin a Spiritual leadership within our world. We are seeing the birth of a Holy Nation, and it has begun with a fear of a mighty and powerful God. None could ignore His presence amongst them anymore.
As one people, they brought their treasures and talents to put to work the plans Moses had received upon the mountain. Their willingness and offering were so overwhelming, there was more than enough and they had to be instructed to stop. Few religious cultures throughout History could boast such a testimony! They were organized and united in one purpose. To worship God in the way He had prescribed through their leader, Moses.
Not only did they work together at providing the articles, craftsmanship, and organization, but they remembered that it was God who made them Holy and provided them with the gifts and talents to get the job done.
Perhaps when we speak of the good old days, this was it! A million unruly people, scared serious, working together to honor God as He had prescribed. The traditions they set have been battered and bruised, but remain affective within our world today.
We will see that as time went by, they would slip, but God would show his mighty hand and focus their attention back on Him and His holiness time and again. Through that focus, they will find joy and a strength to defeat giants - and engender a resolve to remain holy. Routinely throughout History as times got tough, the Israelites and other religious groups will look back on this time and remind their people of the importance of following the laws of righteous living.
Response to Matthew 27:32-66
What a powerful portion of scripture. Perhaps the crucifixion has been more studied than any other piece of scripture. What new can be said? I am going to focus on a few items that tie this story into the Bible as a whole. A few premisses I have following in this blog are; 1. God loves us, the apple of His creation, and is not willing that any should perish. 2. That the Bible is a collection of stories, history, theology, and cultural writings by men seeking after God. Through these writings, God indeed did share insights that were profitable for instruction, correction, and for training in righteousness. 3. That through this person of Jesus Christ, God the Father will draw all men to Himself.
1st; How does this scripture point to the fact God loves us? The answer to that seems very easy. As most consider gall to be poison, Christ did not attempt to ease his suffering. Although He had proven time and again that He had power over natural law (ie; biological healing, meteorological control, multiplication of matter (5 loaves and 2 fish feed 5000 with 12 baskets left over), control of the spiritual or mental realm), He refused to come down from the cross and end his suffering regardless of the insults and the physical and mental anguish he experienced. He became so distraught, he believed even God had left Him (vs. 46).
2nd. This story comes from Matthew. Matthew 24:31 is one of the strongest verses used regarding theologies of the rapture. There is slight mention in Mark, and in Paul's letters. However, few who look at Matthew 24:31 reflect on Matthew 27:52. In Matthews mind, long before He wrote Matthew 24:31, he believed the stories told of bodies of the Saints having been raised at the great earthquake and death of Jesus and seen in the city following His resurection. Of course this makes sense if Christ's sacrifice on the Cross and resurection destroyed the power of death and freed the souls from sheol. Many see this verse in itself as the rapture seen by Matthew, the author of both verses.
Also, considering the Bible as a collection of works by various authors reflecting the word of God, consider the reflections of this story on Old Testament writings: Exodus 26:31, Psalm 69:19-21, Psalm 22, Isaiah 53, Amos 8:9, (that's 48 verses, and we're just getting started). This does not even consider Matthew's contemporaries including Paul who wrote to many of the churches regarding both his experiences and those of the disciples who had lived with Jesus. Many of these letters had been written before Matthew ever decided to write down his experiences in a book. Again, I am enthralled that 4 contemporaries chose to write their stories and that they did not confer together to make sure all their stories jived with each other. Just more reason to be able to believe that these were common men, impacted by God, sharing what they had seen and heard.
A final note connects the fact that they took Jesus out of the city to our recent study of "Sin offering"; The author of the letter to the Hebrews referred to the fact Jesus was taken outside the city in stating in Hebrews 13:12 "Jesus...suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood." This referred to the sin offering we read of in Exodus 29:14.
Throughout His word, God has done His best to share His message of love and sacrifice on our behalf. How can one read the these stories of Jesus life and not recognize He came from God. He claimed that He and the Father were One. We have scientific and experiential proof of death given in the stories. We have prophecy from hundreds if not a thousand years plus that is being fulfilled in this man's life. All scripture points to this moment as this man cries out in a loud voice and gives up His Spirit. God's message through it all rings true. I Love you, You left me so that you could experience good and evil. So, I suffer evil and death through the giving of myself through my only begotten son so that you might come back to me. One day you will all understand. I'll continue waiting! Come back home!
Response to Psalm 34:1-10
"This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; He saved him out of all his troubles." Psalm 34:6
Wow, did David know me? I think he just may have been talking about me when he wrote this. I was sick, but now I'm better. I was poor, but my needs have been met. I was lonely, but I am married with children. I was in trouble with the law and burdened by addictions, but I have experienced freedoms. I was confused, but I have gained knowledge. I was afraid, but I have found peace. One day, I will leave this life and it's troubles behind.
"Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together." Psalm 34:3
"Taste and see that the Lord is good!" Psalm 34:8
"Those who fear him lack nothing" Psalm 34:9
"Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing." Psalm 34:10
Our risen Saviour no longer screams "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?" He testifies to this Psalm.
Don't forget the exercise of considering the Son of God to be speaking the words of the Psalmist. See the son glorifying the father. See yourself glorifying the Father.
Response to Proverbs 9:7-8
As I read this Proverb, I considered the role of being a Father when my children don't want to hear instruction. It does no good to give correction when the receiver has no desire to hear it. If a child or fellow human being is in rebellion or denial, he will throw your correction back in your face. This reminds me of the lame man at Bethsaida. Before Jesus offered him help, he asked him "Do you want to be healed?" Sometimes it's best to wait to be asked before offering advice.
Don't be shy, I would like to hear how Christ is alive in you. Share your thoughts.
Until tomorrow;
Rick.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
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