"Come, to the table that's been prepared for you." This is an invitation to have the deepest hunger of your soul satisfied. Coming to the table represents not only nourishment it represents communion and fellowship. Each Sabbath twelve loaves of shewbread covered with frankincense were placed on the golden table in the Holy Place. The Hebrew word for shew is peneh, which means countenance, presence, or face. The first time bread is mentioned in the Bible is when God sent Adam out of the Garden and told him that by the sweat of his face he'd eat bread until the day he died. The bread on golden table was a gift.
I can still remember when I was a little girl spending the Summers with my grandmother what it was like to wake up to the smell of fresh baked bread. She would always bake twelve loaves. Grandmother's bread was meant to be shared. One of my jobs was to take her bread throughout the "patch" to waiting neighbors. There was always enough. There was always bread on the golden table in the Holy Place.
"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life; he that comes to me shall never hunger...I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." (John 6:35,51) "And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."(Luke 22:19)
What happens when we come to the table that has been prepared for us? What happens when we come to have fellowship and communion by eating the bread of life? The Shewbread, the Bread of the Presence was covered in pure frankincense. "Thanks be God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ." (2 Corinthians 2:14-15)
Lord Jesus I thank You that You have not sent me from Your presence to eat bread by the sweat of my face but instead You welcome me to come and have communion with You. The first table was set in a wilderness but Your word speaks of a table in the future that will have a wedding feast prepared on it; until then I will eat my daily bread and remember You.
Friday, June 27, 2014
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Not to Harm You
I
had just finished reading a description of an automated call from
someone calling from a prison when my telephone rang. I heard the
same words I had read moments before. "If you would like to
accept this collect call, please press 1. If you would like to refuse
this collect call, please press 2. If you would like to block this
caller from calling you again, please press 3" Like the woman in
the book I punched 1.
I had a hard time hearing her even with my good ear. Her voice was soft and broken, a reflection of her heart. She told me how lost and alone she felt. "Will you help me?" she asked with tears in her voice. "There is a place called 'Center of Hope' will you see if they would be willing to let me go there?"
After I hung up the phone I went back to reading my book, "Out of a Far Country". In it Christopher Yuan described how despondent he felt as he look around his prison cell. The walls were laden with graffiti, gang symbols and obscenities. He said, "I scanned the drawings and words on the rusty metal sheet above me, and my eyes were drawn to the far corner. The words were barely legible, and the letters were hastily scribbled. It was messy but I could make out the words; If you're bored, read Jeremiah 29:11"
These words in Jeremiah were written to a people who had been in rebellion against God and as a consequence of that rebellion they were on their way to captivity. The words in Jeremiah shows God's heart. "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD,' plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"
In Genesis when God had come in the cool of the day to find fellowship with Adam and Eve He found rebellion instead. Yet in the same chapter that tells them the consequences for their sin He also promises a way of restoration. Even though they had to leave the garden as a result of their sins His plans were not to harm them but to give them hope and a future.
I had a hard time hearing her even with my good ear. Her voice was soft and broken, a reflection of her heart. She told me how lost and alone she felt. "Will you help me?" she asked with tears in her voice. "There is a place called 'Center of Hope' will you see if they would be willing to let me go there?"
After I hung up the phone I went back to reading my book, "Out of a Far Country". In it Christopher Yuan described how despondent he felt as he look around his prison cell. The walls were laden with graffiti, gang symbols and obscenities. He said, "I scanned the drawings and words on the rusty metal sheet above me, and my eyes were drawn to the far corner. The words were barely legible, and the letters were hastily scribbled. It was messy but I could make out the words; If you're bored, read Jeremiah 29:11"
These words in Jeremiah were written to a people who had been in rebellion against God and as a consequence of that rebellion they were on their way to captivity. The words in Jeremiah shows God's heart. "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD,' plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"
In Genesis when God had come in the cool of the day to find fellowship with Adam and Eve He found rebellion instead. Yet in the same chapter that tells them the consequences for their sin He also promises a way of restoration. Even though they had to leave the garden as a result of their sins His plans were not to harm them but to give them hope and a future.
2014
is the 100th
anniversary of World War 1. It is the 75th
anniversary of World War 2. I am constantly being reminded that
freedom isn't free. It comes at price. The hope and future that God
offers us comes at a price as well. To understand somethings value
you must first understand it's cost. We can begin to understand that
cost when we see the picture God gave us in the tabernacle.
Just
as God came to Adam and Eve in the Garden seeking fellowship He came
to His people in the wilderness after they had been set free from
Egypt. God came to Moses and said,” Let them make me a sanctuary,
that I may dwell in their midst.” (Exodus 25:8) They were to be
very careful in following the instructions God gave because this
tabernacle was a shadow of what is in Heaven.
I
only have time today to describe the two articles in the outer court,
the Bronze Alter and the Bronze Laver but I think it will be enough
to begin to understand this hope and future that is given to us by
God and it's amazing value.
In
the Courtyard of the Tabernacle stood a Broze Alter. It was here that
those who were seeking to come to God would bring their sacrifice.
They would bring the bullock, the goat, or lamb and place their hand
on the animal's head. With their hand on the animal's head they would
begin to confess their sins--not generically, but specifically. Then
standing there they would watch as the animal's neck was slit and
it's blood was drained. "Without the shedding of blood the is no
forgiveness of sins." (Hebrew 9:22) To understand the value of
being forgiven you must first understand what it cost.
The Bronze alter was a place of repentance. It was a place to come and confess. A place to be honest with God. When David had sinned with Bathsheba he had attempted to hide his sin. But when the prophet Nathan confronted him, David finally confessed openly that he had sinned. In Psalm 51 he says, "Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being...Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit in me...The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
Jesus is a picture of one sacrificed on our behalf. "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29) John recognized the sacrificial lamb; the one who was sent to die in our place. "He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth." (Isaiah 53:7) Like King David we have gone astray and have chosen our own rebellious way. But when we come to this place of sacrifice with a broken and contrite heart and recognize that Jesus died in our place we find forgiveness
The Bronze Alter is not only a place of sacrifice it is a place of repentance. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleans us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) This word "if" is a conditional particle. To confess is to say the same thing God says. At the Bronze Alter those who came with their sacrifice would place their hand on the head of the sacrificial animal and confess their specific sins in the same way we are to come to the cross with a humble and repentant heart.
The Bronze alter was a place of repentance. It was a place to come and confess. A place to be honest with God. When David had sinned with Bathsheba he had attempted to hide his sin. But when the prophet Nathan confronted him, David finally confessed openly that he had sinned. In Psalm 51 he says, "Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being...Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit in me...The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
Jesus is a picture of one sacrificed on our behalf. "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29) John recognized the sacrificial lamb; the one who was sent to die in our place. "He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth." (Isaiah 53:7) Like King David we have gone astray and have chosen our own rebellious way. But when we come to this place of sacrifice with a broken and contrite heart and recognize that Jesus died in our place we find forgiveness
The Bronze Alter is not only a place of sacrifice it is a place of repentance. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleans us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) This word "if" is a conditional particle. To confess is to say the same thing God says. At the Bronze Alter those who came with their sacrifice would place their hand on the head of the sacrificial animal and confess their specific sins in the same way we are to come to the cross with a humble and repentant heart.
Before
the door of the Holy Place there stood the Bronze Laver. Only priests
were allowed to enter the Holy place but not before they washed at
the Bronze Laver "lest they die," (Exodus 30:20) There was
to be no trace of uncleanness in the presence of a Holy God. The
command was, "Be holy as I am holy." In the courtyard there
was cleansing both by blood and by water, the blood shed by the
sacrifice at the Bronze Alter and the water used for washing in the
Bronze Laver.
The Bronze Laver was a place of reflection. It was made by the mirrors given by the Israelite women. When the priests dipped their hands into the water they saw themselves. They had already been anointed and consecrated by Moses yet at the Bronze Laver they were to wash their hands and feet. This was a daily cleansing for those who had been chosen for a holy work. At the Bronze Laver they were to reflect on every thing they did and every where they went and cleanse themselves with the water they found there.
The water in the laver represents Jesus, the living Word of God. Daily we are to come to the water of life the living Word of God and reflect. We are not only to hear God's word, we are to act on it. "For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing." (James 1:23-25)
"Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep my judgment and do them." (Ezek 36:25-27) The Jewish leaders were pouring water from the pool of Siloam (Heb. Sent) onto the pavement of the temple symbolizing that someday God would pour out real water from heaven on His people as He had promised by His prophet Ezekiel when Jesus stood and cried, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink." (John 7:38) Only those who were washed by the blood and the Lamb and cleansed with living water could go into the presence of a Holy God.
The Bronze Laver was a place of reflection. It was made by the mirrors given by the Israelite women. When the priests dipped their hands into the water they saw themselves. They had already been anointed and consecrated by Moses yet at the Bronze Laver they were to wash their hands and feet. This was a daily cleansing for those who had been chosen for a holy work. At the Bronze Laver they were to reflect on every thing they did and every where they went and cleanse themselves with the water they found there.
The water in the laver represents Jesus, the living Word of God. Daily we are to come to the water of life the living Word of God and reflect. We are not only to hear God's word, we are to act on it. "For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing." (James 1:23-25)
"Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep my judgment and do them." (Ezek 36:25-27) The Jewish leaders were pouring water from the pool of Siloam (Heb. Sent) onto the pavement of the temple symbolizing that someday God would pour out real water from heaven on His people as He had promised by His prophet Ezekiel when Jesus stood and cried, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink." (John 7:38) Only those who were washed by the blood and the Lamb and cleansed with living water could go into the presence of a Holy God.
The
girl who called me was thirsty she was suffering the consequences for
the bad choices she had made she wanted to know if there was hope if
she still had a future. I called the number that she gave me the next
morning. I told the man who answered about how the book I was reading
and the telephone call intertwined. He laughed and then said, “If
she comes here she will find Jeremiah 29:11 written on every wall
because that is the motto of the Center of Hope.
“For
I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare
and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call
upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek
me and find me, when you seek me with all of your heart.” (Jeremiah
29:11-13)
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Where Light Shines Out of Darkness
There have been times I have felt like the darkness would suffocate me. I have known seasons in my life when there were so many layers of darkness that the eyes of my heart were blinded. I have sat with my friends weeping in the pitch blackness of night when there seemed to be no hope of dawn. Because I have experienced deep darkness I can bear witness to the light. I have known the One who is the light of men. "That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it." (John 1:5)
The tabernacle did not have a solid ceiling instead there were four large canopies draped over the top that hung down the north, west, and south sides. No outside light could penetrate the thickness of this covering. But within this Holy Place there was light. The light that illuminated the darkness shown from the Golden Lampstand. The Lampstand was the only source of light in the Holy Place.
The light that shines in the darkness represents Jesus Christ. "Then Jesus spoke to them again: 'I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.'" (John 8:12) "For God, who said, 'Light shall shine out of darkness'--He has shone in our hearts to give the light of knowledge of God's glory in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6)
I am grateful for the light that darkness cannot overcome. This picture of the Golden Lampstand giving light to the Holy Place gives me great comfort. This tabernacle is a shadow of Heavenly things. This Golden Lampstand reminded me of the promise I find in the last chapter of the book of Revelation. "They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. Night will no longer exist, and people will not need lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will give them light."
Lord Jesus, I wait with great anticipation when I will see Your face and night will be no more but for today I thank You that no darkness is ever so great that Your light is unable to penetrate it.
The tabernacle did not have a solid ceiling instead there were four large canopies draped over the top that hung down the north, west, and south sides. No outside light could penetrate the thickness of this covering. But within this Holy Place there was light. The light that illuminated the darkness shown from the Golden Lampstand. The Lampstand was the only source of light in the Holy Place.
The light that shines in the darkness represents Jesus Christ. "Then Jesus spoke to them again: 'I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.'" (John 8:12) "For God, who said, 'Light shall shine out of darkness'--He has shone in our hearts to give the light of knowledge of God's glory in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6)
I am grateful for the light that darkness cannot overcome. This picture of the Golden Lampstand giving light to the Holy Place gives me great comfort. This tabernacle is a shadow of Heavenly things. This Golden Lampstand reminded me of the promise I find in the last chapter of the book of Revelation. "They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. Night will no longer exist, and people will not need lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will give them light."
Lord Jesus, I wait with great anticipation when I will see Your face and night will be no more but for today I thank You that no darkness is ever so great that Your light is unable to penetrate it.
Monday, June 16, 2014
When Stories Entertwine
I had just finished reading a description of an automated call from someone calling from a prison when my telephone rang. I heard the same words I had read moments before. "If you would like to accept this collect call, please press 1. If you would like to refuse this collect call, please press 2. If you would like to block this caller from calling you again, please press..." Like the woman in the book I punched 1.
I had a hard time hearing her even with my good ear. Her voice was soft and broken, a reflection of her heart. She told me how lost and alone she felt. "Will you help me?" she asked with tears in her voice. "There is a place called 'Center of Hope' will you see if they would be willing to let me go there?"
After I hung up the phone I went back to reading my book, "Out of a Far Country". In it Christopher Yuan described how despondent he felt as he look around his cell. The walls were laden with graffiti, gang symbols and obscenities. He said, "I scanned the drawings and words on the rusty metal sheet above me, and my eyes were drawn to the far corner. The words were barely legible, and the letters were hastily scribbled. It was messy but I could make out the words; If you're bored, read Jeremiah 29:11"
These words in Jeremiah were written to a people who had been in rebellion against God and as a consequence of that rebellion they were on their way to captivity. The words in Jeremiah shows God's heart. "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD,' plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"
Lord, she asked me to help her find the "Center of Hope" please draw her to Yourself. Help me to share the promise in Your word that if she will call upon You and come and pray to You that You will listen. Lord, I ask that she would seek you with all her heart because then I know that she will finally find all that she is looking for.
I had a hard time hearing her even with my good ear. Her voice was soft and broken, a reflection of her heart. She told me how lost and alone she felt. "Will you help me?" she asked with tears in her voice. "There is a place called 'Center of Hope' will you see if they would be willing to let me go there?"
After I hung up the phone I went back to reading my book, "Out of a Far Country". In it Christopher Yuan described how despondent he felt as he look around his cell. The walls were laden with graffiti, gang symbols and obscenities. He said, "I scanned the drawings and words on the rusty metal sheet above me, and my eyes were drawn to the far corner. The words were barely legible, and the letters were hastily scribbled. It was messy but I could make out the words; If you're bored, read Jeremiah 29:11"
These words in Jeremiah were written to a people who had been in rebellion against God and as a consequence of that rebellion they were on their way to captivity. The words in Jeremiah shows God's heart. "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD,' plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"
Lord, she asked me to help her find the "Center of Hope" please draw her to Yourself. Help me to share the promise in Your word that if she will call upon You and come and pray to You that You will listen. Lord, I ask that she would seek you with all her heart because then I know that she will finally find all that she is looking for.
Saturday, June 14, 2014
A Shadow of Heavenly Things
It was more than a place it was a picture. Moses was to carefully follow the pattern God gave him for the tabernacle because it was a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. Blue, purple and scarlet cherubim were woven into white linen on the holy place's ceiling. David responded to what this picture represented when he said, "Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!" (Psalm 61:4)
Thinking about this pattern God gave Moses I am reminded of what I have read in Psalm 91."He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." However, this was more than simply a place of refuge it was a place of intimacy, a place to experience God's unfailing love. "How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings." ( Psalm 36:7)
When the Word became flesh, in the person of Jesus Christ, and took up residence among us we observed the glory as of the one and only son of the Father. He was in the world and it didn't recognize Him. He came to His own and His own people didn't receive Him. At the end of Jesus' earthly ministry He cried out this lament, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wing, and your were not willing!" (Matthew 23:37,38)
The tabernacle was built in the wilderness but God came to His people and invited them to find refuge under His wing. Jesus came to a broken and hurting world and opened His arms and spread wide His wings of love and protection. All who came to Jesus were invited to sing in the shadow of His wings. To those who received Him He gave them the right to be children of God.
Lord Jesus, in the world around me I often encounter hurt and suffering but I come to You and find refuge. Sheltered in You faithfulness I experience Your unfailing love. Beneath Your wing I feel the beat of Your heart.
Thinking about this pattern God gave Moses I am reminded of what I have read in Psalm 91."He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." However, this was more than simply a place of refuge it was a place of intimacy, a place to experience God's unfailing love. "How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings." ( Psalm 36:7)
When the Word became flesh, in the person of Jesus Christ, and took up residence among us we observed the glory as of the one and only son of the Father. He was in the world and it didn't recognize Him. He came to His own and His own people didn't receive Him. At the end of Jesus' earthly ministry He cried out this lament, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wing, and your were not willing!" (Matthew 23:37,38)
The tabernacle was built in the wilderness but God came to His people and invited them to find refuge under His wing. Jesus came to a broken and hurting world and opened His arms and spread wide His wings of love and protection. All who came to Jesus were invited to sing in the shadow of His wings. To those who received Him He gave them the right to be children of God.
Lord Jesus, in the world around me I often encounter hurt and suffering but I come to You and find refuge. Sheltered in You faithfulness I experience Your unfailing love. Beneath Your wing I feel the beat of Your heart.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Reflections at Bronze Laver
Before the door of the Holy Place there stood the Bronze Laver. Only priests were allowed to enter the Holy place but not before they washed at the Bronze Laver "lest they die," (Exodus 30:20) There was to be no trace of uncleanness in the presence of a Holy God. The command was, "Be holy as I am holy." In the courtyard there was cleansing both by blood and by water, the blood shed by the sacrifice at the Bronze Alter and the water used for washing in the Bronze Laver.
The Bronze Laver was a place of reflection. It was made by the mirrors given by the Israelite women. When the priests dipped their hands into the water they saw themselves. They had already been anointed and consecrated by Moses yet at the Bronze Laver they were to wash their hands and feet. This was a daily cleansing for those who had been chosen for a holy work. At the Bronze Laver they were to reflect on every thing they did and every where they went and cleanse themselves with the water they found there.
The water in the laver represents Jesus, the living Word of God. Daily we are to come to the water of life the living Word of God and reflect. We are not only to hear God's word, we are to act on it. "For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing." (James 1:23-25)
"Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep my judgement and do them." (Ezek 36:25-27) The Jewish leaders were pouring water from the pool of Siloam (Heb. Sent) onto the pavement of the temple symbolizing that someday God would pour out real water from heaven on His people as He had promised by His prophet Ezekiel when Jesus stood and cried, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink." (John 7:38) Only those who were washed by the blood and the Lamb and cleansed with living water could go into the presence of a Holy God.
Lord Jesus, because You came to me I can come to You. I believe You are the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world and by You blood I have been been forgiven. I come daily, to Your living Word. Daily I reflect not only on who I am but who You are and like the woman at the well I have come to drink the Living Water.
The Bronze Laver was a place of reflection. It was made by the mirrors given by the Israelite women. When the priests dipped their hands into the water they saw themselves. They had already been anointed and consecrated by Moses yet at the Bronze Laver they were to wash their hands and feet. This was a daily cleansing for those who had been chosen for a holy work. At the Bronze Laver they were to reflect on every thing they did and every where they went and cleanse themselves with the water they found there.
The water in the laver represents Jesus, the living Word of God. Daily we are to come to the water of life the living Word of God and reflect. We are not only to hear God's word, we are to act on it. "For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing." (James 1:23-25)
"Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep my judgement and do them." (Ezek 36:25-27) The Jewish leaders were pouring water from the pool of Siloam (Heb. Sent) onto the pavement of the temple symbolizing that someday God would pour out real water from heaven on His people as He had promised by His prophet Ezekiel when Jesus stood and cried, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink." (John 7:38) Only those who were washed by the blood and the Lamb and cleansed with living water could go into the presence of a Holy God.
Lord Jesus, because You came to me I can come to You. I believe You are the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world and by You blood I have been been forgiven. I come daily, to Your living Word. Daily I reflect not only on who I am but who You are and like the woman at the well I have come to drink the Living Water.
Friday, June 6, 2014
The Bronze Alter
To understand somethings value you must first understand what it cost. In the Courtyard of the Tabernacle stood a Brass Alter. It was here that those who were seeking to come to God would bring their sacrifice. They would bring the bullock, the goat, or lamb and place their hand on the animal's head. With their hand on the animal's head they would begin to confess their sins--not generically, but specifically. Then standing there they would watch as the animal's neck was slit and it's blood was drained. "Without the shedding of blood the is no forgiveness of sins." (Hebrew 9:22) To understand the value of being forgiven you must first understand what it cost.
The Bronze alter was a place of repentance. It was a place to come and confess. A place to be honest with God. When David had sinned with Bathsheba he had attempted to hide his sin. But when the prophet Nathan confronted him, David finally confessed openly that he had sinned. In Psalm 51 he says, "Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being...Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit in me...The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
Jesus is a picture of one sacrificed on our behalf. "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29) John recognized the sacrificial lamb; the one who was sent to die in our place. "He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth." (Isaiah 53:7) Like King David we have gone astray and have chosen our own rebellious way. But when we come to this place of sacrifice with a broken and contrite heart and recognize that Jesus died in our place we find forgiveness.
The Bronze Alter is not only a place of sacrifice it is a place of repentance. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleans us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) This word "if" is a conditional particle. To confess is to say the same thing God says. At the Bronze Alter those who came with their sacrifice would place their hand on the head of the sacrificial animal and confess their specific sins in the same way we are to come to the cross with a humble and repentant heart.
Lord Jesus, I am humbled at what my forgiveness cost. I come today and bow before Your cross. In the quiet of this moment I ask that You would show me if there is any place in my life where I am not walking in Your light. Where there is sin I ask that You would give me a broken and contrite heart. I ask that my heart would be humble and that I would say the same thing about sin that Your word does.
The Bronze alter was a place of repentance. It was a place to come and confess. A place to be honest with God. When David had sinned with Bathsheba he had attempted to hide his sin. But when the prophet Nathan confronted him, David finally confessed openly that he had sinned. In Psalm 51 he says, "Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being...Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit in me...The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
Jesus is a picture of one sacrificed on our behalf. "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29) John recognized the sacrificial lamb; the one who was sent to die in our place. "He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth." (Isaiah 53:7) Like King David we have gone astray and have chosen our own rebellious way. But when we come to this place of sacrifice with a broken and contrite heart and recognize that Jesus died in our place we find forgiveness.
The Bronze Alter is not only a place of sacrifice it is a place of repentance. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleans us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) This word "if" is a conditional particle. To confess is to say the same thing God says. At the Bronze Alter those who came with their sacrifice would place their hand on the head of the sacrificial animal and confess their specific sins in the same way we are to come to the cross with a humble and repentant heart.
Lord Jesus, I am humbled at what my forgiveness cost. I come today and bow before Your cross. In the quiet of this moment I ask that You would show me if there is any place in my life where I am not walking in Your light. Where there is sin I ask that You would give me a broken and contrite heart. I ask that my heart would be humble and that I would say the same thing about sin that Your word does.
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Enter In
As the Sun rose in the East the colors of blue, scarlet, purple and white were reflected in it's bright rays. The beauty that was seen was in stark contrast to the wilderness around them. God had chosen to take up residence among His people. In the Tabernacle they were seeing a shadow of the heavenly things. God had instructed Moses to make everything according to the pattern that he was shown on Mount Sinai.
They were to, "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving" (Psalm 100:4) The gate was beautiful! God had chosen a man named Bezalel and filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship. The gate was of fine woven linen. In the heart of the camp there was a place to meet with God. This was the one and only way by which men and women could draw near to God and it was beautiful and caused the heart to be overwhelmed with gratitude.
The colors of the gate were not chosen by man but by God. The colors were more than beauty they were a message, a shadow of heavenly things. The blue spoke of deity; this was the gate to the courts of God. The purple spoke of the royalty of the King of Kings. The scarlet was a reminder of the blood sacrifice. The white was symbolic of holiness.
The day came when, "The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, that glory as of the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14) He was not the shadow; He was the substance. He said of Himself, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6) and "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved." (John 10:4)
Lord Jesus, I see in the tabernacle a picture of You. I am filled with gratitude as I enter into the dwelling place of God through the true and living way.
They were to, "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving" (Psalm 100:4) The gate was beautiful! God had chosen a man named Bezalel and filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship. The gate was of fine woven linen. In the heart of the camp there was a place to meet with God. This was the one and only way by which men and women could draw near to God and it was beautiful and caused the heart to be overwhelmed with gratitude.
The colors of the gate were not chosen by man but by God. The colors were more than beauty they were a message, a shadow of heavenly things. The blue spoke of deity; this was the gate to the courts of God. The purple spoke of the royalty of the King of Kings. The scarlet was a reminder of the blood sacrifice. The white was symbolic of holiness.
The day came when, "The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, that glory as of the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14) He was not the shadow; He was the substance. He said of Himself, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6) and "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved." (John 10:4)
Lord Jesus, I see in the tabernacle a picture of You. I am filled with gratitude as I enter into the dwelling place of God through the true and living way.
Monday, June 2, 2014
More Than Friends
I wonder how often the her mind went back and relived the memory. He had come to the garden at dusk, in the cool of the day. This had always been a time of delight when He would come to share fellowship with them except this time when they heard His footsteps they hid. This place of sanctuary had been defiled. Shame had entered the garden. The memory caused her soul to ache with longing for the broken fellowship.
When the children of Israel were set free from Egypt even before they came to the Promised Land God came to Moses and said, "And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst." (Exodus 25:8) A sanctuary, a consecrated holy place, an asylum in the wilderness, a place to meet with God. Once more it was God who came to man.
"The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole world, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless towards him." (2 Chronicles 16:9) He came to the garden. He came to them in the wilderness showing them how to make a sanctuary so that He could dwell in their midst. But here we see that the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole world looking for a heart that is blameless toward Him. Can anything surpass that? Yes, yes there is something that surpasses all this.
"The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him but to all who did receive him, who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:19-13) Once more the creator had come seeking fellowship.
Lord Jesus, You were in the beginning with God and all things were made through You. Yet, You not only came to seek fellowship with us, You came to take away our shame. Through You we not only have fellowship with God but through You we receive the right to become children of God.
When the children of Israel were set free from Egypt even before they came to the Promised Land God came to Moses and said, "And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst." (Exodus 25:8) A sanctuary, a consecrated holy place, an asylum in the wilderness, a place to meet with God. Once more it was God who came to man.
"The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole world, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless towards him." (2 Chronicles 16:9) He came to the garden. He came to them in the wilderness showing them how to make a sanctuary so that He could dwell in their midst. But here we see that the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole world looking for a heart that is blameless toward Him. Can anything surpass that? Yes, yes there is something that surpasses all this.
"The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him but to all who did receive him, who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:19-13) Once more the creator had come seeking fellowship.
Lord Jesus, You were in the beginning with God and all things were made through You. Yet, You not only came to seek fellowship with us, You came to take away our shame. Through You we not only have fellowship with God but through You we receive the right to become children of God.
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