Of Temples and Curtains

Posted on December 12, 2008 by Henry Neufeld

5Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice, and keep my covenant, then you shall be my own possession from among all peoples; for all the earth is mine; 6and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.” – Exodus 19:5-6

9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: 10who in time past were no people, but now are God’s people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. – 1 Peter 2:9-10

On Wednesday Jody talked about Zechariah in the temple, and how he kept the symbols of worship and of God’s presence going as was his duty as a priest, while the people stood outside and were separated from all of this.  Jody promised that I would write this yesterday, and she did indeed ask me to do so.  I forgot.  I apologize.  I also apologize for how late it is this morning.

In Matthew 27:51 we’re told that when Jesus died, the veil in the temple was torn in two, and this theme is picked up in Hebrews 10:20 (and a couple of chapters on either side) where we are told that Jesus opened up a new way and thus we can enter with boldness into God’s presence.

The tabernacle and the sanctuary are often taught as symbols of God’s presence with his people, and there is a sense in which they were. God showed himself there and centered worship around that point. It was a place to which people could look for understanding of God and for worship. It is important to remember that, unlike other temples in the ancient world, when one got to the center there was no image. In fact, there was nothing. You had cherubim over the ark. On the ark, one would have expected an image of the God, but the space was empty.

That was a constant reminder to priests and people not only that God couldn’t be represented, but that God couldn’t be contained. He chose for a moment of time to present himself at that place and in that way, but he was not limited to the way in which he had done it.

There’s another important way in which the temple was a symbol of God’s absence. There was an outer curtain around the courtyard, then there was a curtain leading into the first chamber, then another curtain leading into the holiest of holies. The restrictions on who could enter became greater and greater with each veil. Actually being in the presence—to see the empty space between the cherubim filled with God’s glory—was a rare occasion indeed.

Why was this? Did God not want to be present with his people? Hardly! In fact, in our first text from Exodus 19, we have God’s vision for his people as a nation of priests. Restricting some portion of the temple to “priests only” would hardly be meaningful if everyone was a priest! But that is what God wanted—everyone coming into his presence.

Ultimately, Israel was chosen to be in God’s presence and to lead others (us, the gentiles) into that presence as priests. But something stood in the way, and that something was simply fear. When God appeared on the mountain with all the restrictions and rules, all the noise, the earth shaking, the thunder, and the dark cloud, the people were afraid.

The largest and thickest veil that separates us from God, the one hardest to tear open, is our fear. Many people claim to enter God’s presence without fear or awe. I hope that it is true, and that perfect love has, for them, cast out all fear. But for most of us, I would suggest that if there is no fear, we are just pretending, and not really experiencing God’s presence.

We come with the fear, but the one who casts out that fear is Jesus, who experienced himself all the fearfulness of being in God’s presence. Jesus tore open the veil and made it possible for us to be in God’s presence and lose that fear. He did it when he died on the cross.

Now, as we wait in advent expectation, our need is to let Jesus tear open the veil that remains in our own heart. He’s not going to tell you it’s safe. Going into God’s presence will always be the most dangerous thing you can do. It will twist your universe into unimaginable shapes and shatter your vision of life and of who you are. It’s frightening.

But it’s also the safest thing you will ever do—Jesus came as a baby to tell you so!

Posted in 1 Peter, Bible Books, Devotional, Exodus | Tagged , | Comments Off on Of Temples and Curtains

Worship Closer and Unafraid

Posted on December 10, 2008 by Jody Neufeld

Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, your prayer has been heard.” Luke 1:8-13 (NIV)

I am going to ask my husband to also do a devotion tomorrow on this passage. I suspect he will give a different perspective on this story. I’d like to hear what he has to say!

Zechariah was a minister or celebrant of God. He had the responsibility to keep the incense burning and the lamps lit. It was part of the worship ritual. BUT the worshipers were outside! That is the way it was until Jesus tore down the curtain! We can worship in the presence of God. We do not have to hide behind a curtain.

The angel had a message for Zechariah. It is a message that God sends to us every day.

  • “Don’t be afraid of your problems. They are not ‘giants’. I AM the LORD of Hosts!”
  • “I hear your prayers, Jody. I hear you. You are my child. I hear you because I love you.”
  • “Do not be afraid of Me, Jody. I AM your Father. Come closer. Come to worship!”

As we sing and pray and worship this Advent season, let us come closer. Let us not stand with our hearts outside on the side lines. Let us not be afraid of our Father. If there is sin that is keeping us apart, He gave us a Savior to wash us clean. Ask. Receive. Worship.

“And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous – to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Luke 1:17 (NIV)

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Wanted: an Available Tool in the Hand of God

Posted on December 9, 2008 by Jody Neufeld

Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun:

I saw the tears of the oppressed – and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors – and they have no comforter. Ecclesiastes 4:1 (NIV)

In the last two days at my job, I have had to tell two women that they had tested positive for Hepatitis C. Both of these women are also homeless. In talking with them, I struggled to hear what God was asking me to do. I pray that I was obedient to do no less or more than God was asking.

There is so much to stress and distract us this month. On the one hand, we see and hear about how bad our economy is. I see people every day who have been working steadily for many years and have suddenly found themselves laid off and unable to find another job. Private business owners are trying to convince fast food companies to hire them as cooks! On the other hand, we are flooded with the annual commercial barrage to buy, buy, buy! A co-worker told me the other day that she was spending $250 on each of her four children for Christmas. I was astounded! Am I ‘strange’ for finding that to be excessive?

I am looking at the first two women and thinking that 25% of what the third woman said she was going to spend on each child could do for the homeless women. When we think about Christmas where do our minds go? Do we think about how we can truly honor the Christ Child?

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on.” Mark 12:41-44 (NIV)

What does that say to you? It surely steps on my toes! Although I may think $250/child is excessive, I have not moved to the place where I put all into the offering plate! I want to give to someone this year and I am praying that God will show me how to do that. I don’t have hundreds but I have a little and I would like to bless someone. We’ll see what happens! Watch God work! J

When my world gets so difficult, I have found that when I put my focus on reaching out to others, my world improves. It is taking my eyes off the ‘I’ and ‘me’ and looking for ‘they’ opportunities that brings me to God. Jesus spoke about doing for the least would mean doing for Him. How cool is that! Jesus didn’t say that I had to do great things or expensive things. He said that it was to whom I served that was the point.

May I live the next two weeks with an expectation on how I can serve someone who is in need and may that be the beginning of a new year!

Posted in Ecclesiastes, Mark | 2 Comments

Seasons

Posted on December 8, 2008 by Jody Neufeld

Everything on earth has its own time and its own season.

There is a time for birth and death, planting and reaping,

for killing and healing, destroying and building,

for crying and laughing, weeping and dancing,

for throwing stones and gathering stones, embracing and parting.

There is a time for finding and losing, keeping and giving,

for tearing and sewing, listening and speaking.

There is also a time for love and hate, for war and peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (CEV)

I was talking to a friend last night about ‘seasons’ and we were both remarking about how life does seem to have seasons. He was telling me about the call on his life to work with children and yet did not quite know the specifics of that call yet. And so he was waiting in this ‘season’ until God showed him the way into the next ‘season’.

God is so very faithful to show us and confirm to us the path through various seasons of our lives. Here is where we can really see the work of the Good Shepherd who leads in His paths to teach and show us what we need to know and learn along the way. When I might think that what I am currently doing, the job is a waste of my time and talent, God is faithful to remind me that time is His to use and my gifts are His to use and that nothing will be wasted!

God is also faithful to use people in each season. They could be there to teach us. They could be there to impart or sow some lessons, wisdom, in our life. Maybe I am to learn about myself and people during this season. Maybe I am to learn more about God through others during this time.

And let us not forget that even in a desert season there is something to be learned. For me, the times in a desert are admittedly frustrating but also the time when I have been closest to God because there is an alone-ness and quiet that allows me to do little but listen for that “still, small voice. Jesus frequently would go out into the desert or up on a mountain to pray and spend time with the Father. So if you are in a isolated, quiet season…listen up! God is ready to speak if we will be quiet enough to listen!

Some of the seasons listed in Ecclesiastes are not seasons that we want to spend time. I wish I could tell you a formula to avoid! I can’t. I believe all of the seasons can be experienced with God. Are we willing to take trigonometry and literature? Am I willing to experience the love of God in plenty as well as times of tearing down? Am I stuck in peace when war is needed to ‘clean the house’? Am I babbling through what God meant for listening time??

Oh, Lord, check my heart and in the power of Jesus and under the direction of your Holy Spirit, guide and direct all of my days so that the seasons of my life are pleasing to you. May I use the time wisely and not be distracted by good things that are not God things! Show me Your way, Lord, that I may in walk with You through all the seasons of my life. Amen.

Posted in Ecclesiastes | Comments Off on Seasons

Where Will You Worship?

Posted on December 5, 2008 by Jody Neufeld

As he was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!”

“Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” Mark 13:1-2 (NIV)

Jesus’ prophetic words were fulfilled around 70 A.D. when Rome tore down the temple to its foundation leaving not a stone on top of another. Do Jesus’ words still speak for us today?

I live in a part of the United States that is generally known as the Bible belt. If only that meant that those of us who lived here were reading and living God’s Word in our hearts! What it really means is that there are more churches per capita in this part of the country than in any other! We have hundreds of churches in every city. Even towns with no stop lights have churches. (and usually not just one!) Most churches are not growing churches. They do not show an increase in membership in a given year. Then there is the ‘working members’ factor – of new members how many are growing in discipleship and how many joined so that they can check that off their internal check list?

Jesus told the Samaritan woman (John 4) that there would come a time when we would worship God not in just a place but we would truly worship Him in Spirit and Truth. Jesus seems to be trying to get us to put our focus not on BUILDINGS but on BEING His disciple outside of a building! If you take away church buildings, what does being a disciple of Jesus Christ look like? My pastor said one Sunday that “we like to sing about ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’ but God would like to see His saints go marching OUT!” I think he is right.

If we are doing what He taught we will be outside the church building because Jesus was outside the synagogue more than He was in it! Jesus met the people in their comfort zone. Jesus taught with parables, bringing the Father’s love to the people in their daily lives. It was not church membership that made a person a disciple. It was their life…lived out in humble obedience to God and characterized by unselfish service to others.

As we prepare our hearts in this Advent season, let us be out and be serving.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

Posted in Mark, Romans | Comments Off on Where Will You Worship?

God’s Requirements

Posted on December 4, 2008 by Jody Neufeld

The LORD God has told us what is right and what he demands: “See that justice is done, let mercy be your first concern, and humbly obey your God.” Micah 6:8 (CEV)

I have been sick with a cold this week which means I have been home and watching TV between naps! I was watching Oprah yesterday and she had the two families from Indiana who have written a book, Mistaken Identity. Their daughters were on a college trip when their van was struck by a tractor trailer killing five students. The identity of the deceased girl was done in error by the county coroner and this was not corrected until five weeks later. One family buried a daughter…but it wasn’t their daughter. The other family cared and prayed over a daughter hoping that she would return from her coma and when she did…it was to find that she wasn’t their daughter. Both families are families of faith and made a wonderful witness to Jesus Christ. Though they were pursued by lawyers, they have made it clear that they are about forgiveness not vengeance. The former coroner was there and I could tell he was overcome by the mercy he had received from these families.

The prophet Micah brings us a message from God about what God demands from us. God requires very little from us. He asks. He desires. He demands little.

God wants us to live our lives with integrity. We are to treat others with fairness or justice. I am responsible for how I treat others; how I conduct business. This came to my mind as I prayed about the elections and how a candidate’s integrity is a primary criteria when I decide to whom I will place a vote. I may not agree with all of their decisions but I want to feel that I can trust what they say.

“let mercy be your first concern…” Let forgiveness be the first thing that I love. “Don’t hold back forgiveness, Jody.” I went to bed last night asking God to examine me and tell me if I had withheld forgiveness and bring it to my mind if there was something. You know what He said? “Forgive yourself, Jody. I have.” OHHHH! That struck my heart! I immediately saw something that had happened where I had just beat myself for not doing something. I had failed! It sounds …dumb…when I write it down but God is so right that I can extend forgiveness to others but hold myself in such a shackle of unforgiveness! How arrogant!

This leads right to humbly being obedient to God. God is …God. To look at the previous paragraph and see how I certainly wasn’t humble in my obedience but in fact arrogantly dis-obedient was enlightening. And humbling. It is one of those moments when all I can do is go to my knees and ask that God create in my a clean heart (Psalm 51) and how lovingly awesome God is to do just that!

God is so good to love us so much to tell us; teach us what He wants for us. I don’t think it is so much being able to hear God. I think it is more about having open ears and open heart to accept what He is saying. Have you ever asked a question that you thought you already knew the answer and so that is the answer you heard? It is not what the person actually said?!! I think that is what happens many times when I am filtering God’s voice and not truly listening. Yes, there are times that He is silent. I need to be open for that also. I need to be open to God. And that is walking with Him.

Posted in Micah | Comments Off on God’s Requirements

Are your Eyes on God or the Giant?

Posted on December 3, 2008 by Jody Neufeld

David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 1 Samuel 17:26 (NIV)

I hope you will take a few minutes today and read 1 Samuel 17. It would be a great story to read before you go to bed…action-packed and the Good Guy wins! There are a few details that I hope you notice. David was not part of King Saul’s army. His older, bigger brothers were. David was seen as too young; too little. He just ‘happens’ to show up to deliver a few supplies from home and overhears the loud-mouth giant doing his twice-a-day taunt. Israel’s army cowers in the bushes as they are scared witless. They see only the giant.

David has spent his time in the fields watching over the family sheep. He also spent time building his relationship with God. He talked to Him. He sang to Him. David listened to Him. So when David heard the giant taunting God’s people – he didn’t see a giant – he heard someone taunting GOD!

I know what a giant sounds like in my life. He blocks in the sun in my life and I feel like I am in the dark …better known as doubt. Israel sees only how tall Goliath is or how much armor he has but David sees only how powerful his God is and how much God has already done for him. Israel doesn’t talk about God. David speaks only of God. David knows the giant is there but he sees God more.

Notice that David speaks of the armies of God. What does he mean by that plural? There is only one army of Israel so I don’t think he is talking about that. Maybe David is remembering that God is not just a single…He is hail. He is wind. He has platoons of angels. God can collapse walls, part seas, and produce a thunder storm that can cause the biggest to cower. I think David knew very well who was standing in front of Goliath!

David ran toward his giant. When was the last time I ran toward the challenge in my life? How often I duck my head and pull the blanket over my head! David shows me that I can go on the offensive with my giant because I have the Spirit of God in me! Load up my sling with the power of Jesus and let loose on that giant of depression or alcohol, or abuse or insecurity!!!

David spoke of the armies as belonging to the living God. David did not worship a dead statue. He knew that God was alive and there! He knew God was close and not just an observer up on a distant throne.

David’s story is not one of big miracles like the parting seas that Moses saw or rising from the dead like Lazarus did. David’s miracle was that God saw a heart that was for Him in a fallible man and used David to be a mighty king for His chosen people. He will do that for me and you. I can look at the giants in my life and stumble or I can look at God and walk in victory.

Posted in 1 Samuel | Comments Off on Are your Eyes on God or the Giant?

Get Ready!

Posted on December 2, 2008 by Jody Neufeld

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, jingle all the way!

Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh…Heh! James Lord Pierpont (1857)

The Christmas season is here! How do I know that? The music is in the air. The streets are crowded with people making sudden, inexplicable left-hand turns. The stores are packed with decorations and adults with blank, stunned faces being led around by excited children and grandchildren. And the media is constantly telling me which store to visit “We have the perfect gift at your perfect price!”

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. Luke 2:1-3 (NIV)

Not a department store mentioned in that scene! Hmmm. I guess there was a different ‘scene’ happening when Jesus, the Son of God was about to be born! No one knew what world-changing, life-changing event was about to happen. They were expecting a king.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:4-7 (NIV)

Prophecy had foretold that the Messiah would be born from David’s lineage. But these people, Joseph and Mary, they were the “poor” relations of that family. Joseph was just a carpenter. There was no king!

So – 2000+ years later, what do I see? Do I see stores and crowds and the media with their catchy advertising? Do I see a plastic baby in a straw-filled manger outside a store or a church or a home? I am a professing Christian so what do I see?

I see a Promise.

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2 (NIV)

The prophet said a “GREAT LIGHT” had dawn in a land where the people were living in the shadow of death. That describes my world. I live in a world of shadows but a Light has come!

[Jesus said,]“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

“…let your light shine before men…and praise your Father in heaven” In the midst of the blinking lights and tinsel, the Light that is within me shines much brighter than all of the others. If I get myself out of the way and let just JESUS shine through me, like I am a transparent lantern over a brilliant, perfect flame. People will see the true Promise of Christmas.

The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:

“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ,

and he will reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 11:15 (NIV)

The Kingdom will continue forever and ever. This is a good time for me to get some practice so I am ready to serve when Jesus comes back. Advent is a time of preparation and expectation. May I live my life in preparation and expectation of the coming of our LORD.

Posted in Isaiah, Luke, Revelation | Comments Off on Get Ready!

God Will Let You Choose!

Posted on December 1, 2008 by Jody Neufeld

[Jesus said,]“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24027 (NIV)

In his recent book, Cast of Characters, Max Lucado related a story about Abraham Lincoln that I did not know. Edwin Thomas, an actor, saved the life of President Lincoln’s son, Robert Todd Lincoln, when he fell between a station platform and a moving train. Edwin’s actor brother, John, assassinated Robert’s father, two years before. Two brothers. Same father, mother, profession — Two choices. How does that happen? I don’t know but it isn’t unusual.

Adam had two sons, Cain and Abel. Abel chose to give God the best of what he had. Cain chose to give in to envy and kill. God allowed them to choose.

Abraham and Lot were both nomads in Canaan. Abraham chose to take whatever Lot didn’t want. Lot chose Sodom. God allowed them to choose.

David and Saul were both kings of Israel. David chose God. Saul chose power. God allowed them to choose.

Peter and Judas both denied the Messiah. Peter repented and asked for mercy. Judas was also sorry but chose death. God allowed them to choose.

Jesus even on the cross had two thieves who were making choices. Both were convicted by the Roman justice system. Both were given the same punishment. Both found themselves on the same hill, next to the same man. One died angry and insulting. The other in his weakness, recognized his need for mercy, and simply said, “Remember me when you enter your kingdom.” God allowed them to choose.

There are more stories that could be added to the list. Throughout history, both in Scripture and in the world, God will allow us to make our own choices. I don’t always understand. Doesn’t the shepherd leave the 99 and search for the one? Yes. The father of prodigal son did…nothing. The sheep innocently wandered away. The prodigal intentionally left. The father gave him a choice. Jesus gave the criminals the same choice.

The repented thief had made some poor choices. Maybe he chose to hang with the wrong crowd and decided the wrong things to do. Is he going to spend eternity reaping the fruit of all the bad choices? No, he is going to enjoy the fruit of the one good choice.

God may send a storm to shake us up. He may send His love to encourage us to come to His arms. And sometimes God says nothing. God is silent and honors our right to choose. Let us build on the solid foundation of our good choice: God! Let us rejoice that we can build on Rock, not sand!

Posted in Matthew | 1 Comment

Celebrating Anniversaries

Posted on November 28, 2008 by Henry Neufeld

Then he called his 10 servants, gave each of them 10 minas, and said, “Engage in business until I come back.” – Luke 19:13

So be on the alert, because you don’t know on what day your Lord will come back. – Matthew 24:42

This is Jody’s and my wedding anniversary. Unfortunately, Jody has to be at work today, and I’m glued to this computer screen. We’ll commemorate the occasion tomorrow. Because our wedding was on Thanksgiving weekend, I really feel OK with celebrating on different days. In a way the entire weekend feels like an anniversary!

Anniversaries are kind of interesting. We take on a bond, a commitment in marriage that last until we are parted by death. It’s forever and always. At the same time we commemorate our continued experience every year. I guess it depends on how one’s marriage is going whether you breathe a sigh of relief or do a happy dance because you’re so excited about looking forward.

Very few of us regard it as contradictory to have a permanent commitment and at the same time to commemorate our relationship every year. In fact, I suspect that many of you think it is weird for me to put it that way. That’s what we all do. It’s what everybody does. How can you make something special out of it?

Well, I can, perhaps because my mind works in odd ways. This coming Sunday is the first Sunday in advent. For those of you who don’t use the lectionary in your church services, let me give you the list of texts: Isaiah 64:1-9 (“Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down!”), Psalm 80 (“come and save us!”), 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 (“waiting for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ”), and Mark 13:24-37 (“don’t let it come on you while you’re asleep”). I see a very similar situation going on in the church relating to living in this world, commemorating what God has done, and being prepared for the return of our Lord.

In the year of our Lord 2008, it seems like we’ve been doing a lot of waiting and a lot of commemorating. Where is he?

There’s that tension that is illustrated by our two verses. Do business, go on about the affairs of the world you live in until I come back (Luke 19:13), while at the same time constantly being aware that Jesus may return.

As Christians, indeed as human beings, we tend to do one or the other. We are going to either focus on this world, or we’re going to focus on the next. We can understand the hermit who withdraws from the world. We can understand the businessman who makes his worldly life his main concern. It’s the demand to do both that’s much harder.

I’m going to suggest that this isn’t a balance, it’s a 100% + 100% combination. Just as I don’t think there’s any contradiction between having a good marriage and even talking about that good marriage frequently all year, and also celebrating it on a single day, so I don’t think there’s any contradiction between living for God in this world during the week, celebrating him in worship on Sunday, and watching for him to return.

If you’re experience each Sunday is not a taste of eternity that gives you energy to “do business” until your Lord comes, perhaps you need to pray for and reach for that some more.

What will you commemorate this advent season. Is it another year in which Jesus did not return, or is it one more year in which you are privileged to live in the hope of the Lord’s return and the resurrection?

Posted in Bible Books, Devotional, Lectionary, Luke, Matthew | Comments Off on Celebrating Anniversaries