Exodus 36
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Exodus 36:6-7, Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: “No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.
The people are now bringing all the needed donations to prepare and assemble the tabernacle. Possibly because of their previous action with the golden calf, the people are now almost going overboard with their donations. This could be a sign of repentance (it could also be a sign of guilt). They failed God before and they don't want to do so again. But they have brought so much to be used in the making of the tabernacle that Moses sends an order throughout the camp to stop. They have more than enough needed to do the work.
What a great problem to have! There were so many donations that Moses tells the people to stop bringing them. When I worked as the Missions director for New Hope, there were certainly times when the people of New Hope (all of you) brought so many donations for a particular mission or ministry, we were overflowing with resources and support. That is an amazing thing to see, when God's people come together and truly give sacrificially to benefit God's work. Let's do it again, New Hope!
Let's pray...Lord, we are so thankful that you ask us to participate in your work in the world. Just like the people bringing in more than enough supplies for the tabernacle, let us provide more than enough support and resources for our mission partners and the work you have called us to do as your church at New Hope. We love you, God! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Exodus 35
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Exodus 35:25-35, "Every skilled woman spun with her hands and brought what she had spun—blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen. And all the women who were willing and had the skill spun the goat hair. The leaders brought onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece. They also brought spices and olive oil for the light and for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense. All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the Lord freewill offerings for all the work the Lord through Moses had commanded them to do. Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills- to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts. And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers."
In this chapter, Moses passes down the detailed instructions for the tabernacle to the people and they get to work. From their own belongings, they voluntarily give the needed materials to begin the process. What I love here in the Scripture above is how we can see all the people, men and women, use their resources and their giftedness to do the work of God.
Haven't we seen this through the ages? Everyone can contribute to the work of God in some way. It could be through providing resources or talents, but every single one of us has something important to offer. Furthermore, we don't offer our leftovers but rather, we give our best. We give and serve with excellence, not for human praise or accolades, but rather for the audience of one.
Let's pray...Almighty God, all we have is yours. You are a good God who has given generously to us in so many ways. Help us give our best to your service. If you want us to give sacrificially, stir our hearts to know just what to do. If you want us to serve, reveal to us what you are calling us to do. God, we are willing and ready. We love you and give you all the glory. Amen.
Exodus 34
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Exodus 34:29-35, When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them. Afterward all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai.
When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. But whenever he entered the Lord’s presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the Lord.
After Moses returned to Mt. Sinai to get a new and improved copy of the Ten Commandments on stone tablets, it is obvious he has been with God. Scripture says that his face was radiant. In fact, it says that whenever Moses went to speak with God, his face always appeared radiant and he would actually put a veil over his face. It must have been quite bright!
Why was this a big deal? What was the significance of sharing about the radiance of Moses' face? Pointing out the change in Moses' face showed that he truly had been with God. He was God's representative to the people and there was no way they could deny that. It also confirmed that God's presence was still with them. God's presence made a lasting effect on Moses' face that the people would constantly be reminded of. Finally, it was a visible demonstration of God's power. Moses didn't even look directly at God but yet his face was powerfully changed. If simply being in a somewhat near proximity to God made such an impression, then obviously God was capable of much, much more.
When I read this chapter, I couldn't help hear the words of the praise song, Holy Ground, by Passion. It goes something like this, "Here as we wait, Seek your face, Come and make your throne upon our praise. Here in this place, Have your way, the moment that we see you, we are changed. Show us your glory, Show us your glory, In wonder and surrender we fall down..."
We may not see the presence of God in the same way that Moses did, but God still can demonstrate and show us his glory. When he does, we are changed. We might not radiate it on our faces but our hearts and lives are transformed. God's glory is still powerful and leaving undeniable marks in our lives. How have you experienced God's glory? How do you want to experience his glory in your life right now?
Let's pray...Dear Lord, show us your glory. We want to see your power. We want to see you at work in unmistakable ways. Leave your mark on us. Change us and transform us in ways that make a difference for your Kingdom. In Jesus' Powerful Name, Amen.
Exodus 33
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Exodus 33:1-3, Then the Lord said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.”
God wants the Israelites to leave the place they have been and move on. They are not intended to be in the Sinai peninsula forever. God has better things for them. But at the same time, God is clearly telling them that because they are a disobedient, stiff-necked people, God will no longer be present with them in the way he has been up until this point. The people are distressed and mourn at this news. They have been craving a divine presence (hence the golden calf debacle) and now God won't be with them as they desire because of their tremendous disobedience.
The most interesting part of this passage to me is Moses' response. He expresses what I would consider burn-out and frustration. He says to God in verses 12-13, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” Moses is advocating on behalf of these people. He is tired and probably really mad at them for their behavior but he also loves them. In response, God consents that he will not remove his presence from the people. Furthermore, he will provide rest for Moses.
I'm not sure I'm supposed to do this but I can't help extrapolating a bit here - could this passage be expanded to speak to those of us, volunteers and paid, who work in ministry? How often in ministry work have we felt frustrated and burned-out, in need of great rest? Maybe our people haven't just gotten in major trouble for worshiping a golden calf but there is other stuff going on in our church or organization. Or, maybe we don't sense the presence of God like in the past. I'm wondering if we need to try a prayer similar to Moses, "You have been telling me to lead these people..."
Let's pray...God, we need you, we need you, we need you! We can't do the work of ministry without your guidance. We need to feel your presence and we need your wisdom and discernment for next steps. Lord, we give you our ministry, our volunteer work, our jobs, our lives. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
Exodus 32
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Exodus 32:1-6, When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.”
Aaron answered them, “Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.” So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, “These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.”
When Aaron saw this, he built an altar in front of the calf and announced, “Tomorrow there will be a festival to the Lord.” So the next day the people rose early and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.
So, we have made it to the famous "golden calf" passage. Moses has spent awhile on the mountain with God getting holy instructions for living and the people have grown restless. They complain to Aaron, Moses' brother (the one who will soon lead the family of priests!) and he melts all their gold to make a golden calf for them to worship. I know what you are thinking, this is totally crazy! What in the world are these people doing???
It helps to understand (but not excuse) their behavior if we remind ourselves that the Israelites were living in Egypt, with its many gods and idols, just a few months prior. Now Moses has been detained for an important purpose but he isn't there to babysit them. They fail the maturity test. It also demonstrates how quickly people will drift from God. Without intentional connection (Moses provided this for the people), we are a fickle and distracted bunch.
For us as Christ-followers, we also have to be very intentional about walking with God: daily prayer, communing with God through the Scripture, staying in connection with other believers, and being part of a worshiping community. If we don't do these things, it becomes easy to simply...drift. Maybe we don't start worshiping a golden calf, but we certainly place other things, activities, and people before God. I hesitate to say this but I'm going to risk it and say it anyway. Because of COVID, many people were forced to pull away from their family of faith for quite some time. At first, maybe they stayed connected and worshiped every week online very diligently. As time went on, though, it was easy to let things slide. Many churches are now battling an epidemic of complacency and apathy. It's not a golden calf but could it be worse?
Let's pray...Heavenly Father, how quickly we drift from you. Lord, help us stay connected and strong in our walk with you. When we start to fall away, pull us back to you using any means necessary. We love you and trust you. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Exodus 31
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Exodus 31:12-17, Then the Lord said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.
“‘Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it is to be put to death; those who do any work on that day must be cut off from their people. For six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is a day of Sabbath rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day is to be put to death. The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.’”
It's interesting that the Sabbath is mentioned here in the middle of much discussion about building the tabernacle. It seems almost out of place and yet it isn't. The building of the tabernacle was all about worshiping God. All the beauty, precision, and order were intended to create a space for God to dwell and a place for which the Israelites could direct their worship of God. If they didn't honor the Sabbath, then worship wouldn't take place on a regular basis. The Sabbath day is a day dedicated to God. It is a holy day.
While the Jews historically have honored Saturday as their day of rest, Christians have worshiped God on Sunday because it was the day of Jesus' resurrection. What's important isn't so much which day is set aside, but that we actually set aside a specific time and give it to God. The reality is that we live in a society in which Sunday is simply a fun day. Sporting events, art fairs, farmers' markets, concerts, and many other activities are now a norm for Sunday. How easy it is, as God's people, to get caught up in the busyness of Sunday and forget about honoring the Sabbath day and having a day of rest. Yes, it's still important to have a set aside time to worship God. Yes, God still wants us to dedicate time to him. Do you have dedicated, specific time that you set aside to honor, worship, and rest before a holy God?
Let's pray...God, we live in a busy world with lots of activities and distractions. When we get distracted, bring us back toward you. We need you, we need to worship you, and we need to rest in you. Help us remember that and rejoice in that. In Your Name, Amen.
Exodus 30
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Exodus 30:11-16, "Then the Lord said to Moses, “When you take a census of the Israelites to count them, each one must pay the Lord a ransom for his life at the time he is counted. Then no plague will come on them when you number them. Each one who crosses over to those already counted is to give a half shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs. This half shekel is an offering to the Lord. All who cross over, those twenty years old or more, are to give an offering to the Lord. The rich are not to give more than a half shekel and the poor are not to give less when you make the offering to the Lord to atone for your lives. Receive the atonement money from the Israelites and use it for the service of the tent of meeting. It will be a memorial for the Israelites before the Lord, making atonement for your lives.”
In this chapter, we see detailed instructions for the incense altar, atonement payments, construction and use of the washing basin, and the use of anointing oil. I have to admit, as I was reading through this, I got stuck on the atonement payments. Does this mean that if they pay a certain amount of money no plague will strike them? I had to do a bit more research.
My understanding is that this was done for the purposes of a potential war. Only those who wanted to be counted were counted, thus highlighting the voluntary nature of Israel's army (this was the meaning of "crosses over.") While individuals could choose whether or not they wished to fight, God decided all other aspects of the war. There is also another important element here: God owns the lives of his people. He decides when and how they go to war and God has the ability to save those lives and offer them abundant life.
Let's pray...Lord, we recognize that our own lives belong to you. Thank you for the abundant life that you provide. In your name, Amen.
Exodus 29
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Exodus 29:1-9, “This is what you are to do to consecrate them, so they may serve me as priests: Take a young bull and two rams without defect. And from the finest wheat flour make round loaves without yeast, thick loaves without yeast and with olive oil mixed in, and thin loaves without yeast and brushed with olive oil. Put them in a basket and present them along with the bull and the two rams. Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the tent of meeting and wash them with water. Take the garments and dress Aaron with the tunic, the robe of the ephod, the ephod itself and the breastpiece. Fasten the ephod on him by its skillfully woven waistband. Put the turban on his head and attach the sacred emblem to the turban. Take the anointing oil and anoint him by pouring it on his head. Bring his sons and dress them in tunics and fasten caps on them. Then tie sashes on Aaron and his sons. The priesthood is theirs by a lasting ordinance. Then you shall ordain Aaron and his sons..."
This chapter discusses exactly how the ordination ceremony for the priests should happen. The priests at the time were Aaron (Moses' brother) and his sons, but would eventually include their sons and their sons and their sons. You get the idea. The ceremony is very specific and detailed. There were essentially six steps in the ceremony: washing, clothing, and anointing the priests and the other three steps involved preparing and carrying out the sacrifices. There is order and precision in every single step in the process. Nothing is taken lightly, every element of the ceremony has meaning and significance. The whole process took a week.
As I read this, I can't help thinking about how we serve a God of order. Just as the building of the tabernacle was highly ordered, so are the priestly garments and the process for ordination. There is nothing left for happenstance; everything has a place and a purpose. While things in this world may sometimes seem random and chaotic, the reality is that most of our world is highly ordered. God created it that way.
Furthermore, our lives are not random exercises in confusion and haphazardness. God knew us before we were born; God knew us as we were being knitted together in our mother's womb. The human body is precise and complicated, designed to work in very specific, very ordered ways. From the earth's tides to the systems of the human body to the specific guidelines for how the Israelites were to ordain their priests, our God is a God of order.
Let's pray...Almighty God, thank you for the way you order our bodies, our earth, and the world. At times, it seems like the chaos is overwhelming but we know that chaos is not from you. Help us see the beauty and order of how you operate. We are grateful, holy God, for how you pull all things together to work for your orderly purposes. In your name, Amen.
Exodus 28
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Exodus 28:2-5, Make sacred garments for your brother Aaron to give him dignity and honor. Tell all the skilled workers to whom I have given wisdom in such matters that they are to make garments for Aaron, for his consecration, so he may serve me as priest. These are the garments they are to make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban and a sash. They are to make these sacred garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so they may serve me as priests. Have them use gold, and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen.
This chapter details the garments for the priests. A quick word on the priesthood: it was an inherited trade, passed down from generation to generation, in one particular tribe of Israel. The idea was that the priesthood could not be bought, earned, or won in an election. Those who became priests were priests because God made them so. The garments or vestments worn by these men would have made them easily identifiable. In the nation of Israel (at this point), there were no kings so the beautiful attire worn by kings in other cultures were worn by priests in this one. This identified them as representatives of the one true God, Yahweh.
Under the new covenant, Paul writes that we are all representatives of God. In 2 Corinthians 5:20, he contends, We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. We obviously don't wear elaborate vestments to identify us as God's ambassadors. But there should be elements in our lives - our speech, our behavior, our actions, the fruit of the Spirit - that clearly identify us as belonging to Jesus Christ. While we will all mess up at times, what aspects of your life make it obvious that you are a representative of God?
Let's pray...Lord Jesus, help us remember who we are and who we represent. We belong to you. In your name, Amen.
Exodus 27
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Exodus 27:1-8, “Build an altar of acacia wood, three cubits high; it is to be square, five cubits long and five cubits wide. Make a horn at each of the four corners, so that the horns and the altar are of one piece, and overlay the altar with bronze. Make all its utensils of bronze—its pots to remove the ashes, and its shovels, sprinkling bowls, meat forks and firepans. Make a grating for it, a bronze network, and make a bronze ring at each of the four corners of the network. Put it under the ledge of the altar so that it is halfway up the altar. Make poles of acacia wood for the altar and overlay them with bronze. The poles are to be inserted into the rings so they will be on two sides of the altar when it is carried. Make the altar hollow, out of boards. It is to be made just as you were shown on the mountain."
In this chapter, we see the instructions for building the altar. This will be the altar on which the priests will make sacrifices to atone for the sins of the people. During Old Covenant times, God continually teaches his people about what it takes to receive salvation from sin. Something that God considers acceptable/appropriate must die in my place so that I may live.
Of course, for us as Christ-followers, Jesus was that sacrifice. Jesus Christ, God himself, totally without sin or blame, died on a cross for me, for you, and for all humanity. He was the final sacrifice to atone for sin. So now, if we are believers, when God looks down on us, he doesn't see our sin and our mess; he sees the atoning blood of Jesus. That means that nothing separates us from a life-giving relationship with a holy God. Because of Jesus' sacrifice, we can walk hand in hand with God and friends, that makes all the difference.
Let's pray...Thank you, Jesus, for your sacrifice. Thank you for making it possible for me to be in right relationship with God. I am so, so grateful that I can walk every single day with you by my side. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.
Exodus 26
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Exodus 26:31-35, “Make a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim woven into it by a skilled worker. Hang it with gold hooks on four posts of acacia (a-caa-sha) wood overlaid with gold and standing on four silver bases. Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the covenant law behind the curtain. The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. Put the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant law in the Most Holy Place. Place the table outside the curtain on the north side of the tabernacle and put the lampstand opposite it on the south side..."
I'm not a detail-oriented person so the details in this chapter make my head spin a bit. There were layers upon layers of curtains, inner curtains and outer curtains, and covering layers. The purpose of these curtains and covering layers were mainly functional but their beauty, exquisiteness, and the precision with which Scripture details them certainly underscores the importance of this place. This was where the holy, loving, and protective presence of God was "housed." While God's presence was invisible, the extraordinary symbols in this place were a reminder to the people that God was there.
Towards the end of the chapter, there are details about the curtain that would separate the holy place from the most holy place, some translations say "holiest of holies." In this place, the ark of the covenant would be positioned, representing the presence of God himself. The ark was definitely a beautiful object, with much silver and gold. The interesting thing to me is that this was an object that the Israelites, even the Levites, never laid eyes on. God put all kinds of protective elements in place (i.e. the curtains in today's Scripture and layers upon layers of protective fabric) to ensure that no one saw the ark. Why was this? It's possible that the ark, in its beauty, and the objects within it, could have become an idol to the people. Just as we are, they were prone to making idols of things. It could also be that God wanted people to believe in him because of faith and not some extravagant object.
This got me thinking. Are there certain elements in our worship that remind us of God's presence? As products of the New Covenant, we recognize that God's presence is always with us. We don't have to be in a church sanctuary or a special holy place to experience God. On the other hand, there are certain places in our lives that seem to allow us to experience God in more powerful ways than others. I've had many people mention to me that when they arrived in the New Hope sanctuary after worshiping online only due to COVID for months to a year, they felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in a really strong way. Some were moved to weeping. What about you? Are there places that help you experience the presence of God in life-changing ways? I would love to hear about them. God is so good, to meet us in all kinds of different places and circumstances, to hear our cries, and to simply be present with us.
Let's pray...God, thank you for being present with us. Just as you were present with the Israelites so many years ago, you dwell with us now too! How amazing that is! Make your presence known among us right now, transform our hearts and minds so we walk closer to you. We love you. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Exodus 25
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Exodus 25:8-9, “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you..."
Here we see God giving instructions for how to build a place of worship. The instructions are very specific and they require sacrificial offerings on the part of the people. God is God after all and could have simply provided all the different kinds of woods, stones, oils, leather, and other things, but he asks the people to provide these various elements for worship themselves. This would have required sacrifice and hard work.
Even today, there is something deeply meaningful when people give sacrificially to provide for the worship of God. When we were in Cuba, our team brought a large amount of satin fabric with us. It was for the church to use as they saw fit. In less than twenty-four hours, some of the ladies in the church had created beautiful and elaborate vestments to cover the communion table and other gorgeous curtains to hang around the outdoor worship area. They must have stayed up all night to create these items in such a short time. It was their sacrifice for the worship of God.
What sacrifice do you bring to the worship of God in our setting?
Let's pray...God, we thank you for your powerful presence in worship. Help us discern how each of us might be part of sacrificial worship of You at New Hope. We love you. Amen.
Exodus 24
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Exodus 24:15-18, When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from within the cloud. To the Israelites the glory of the Lord looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain. Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights.
In this chapter, we see Moses accept the Lord's invitation to ratify the covenant with Him. Only a certain number of Israelites were asked to ascend the mountain and Moses was the only one allowed to have any near proximity to God. The people have agreed to live up to the covenant code with God and this ceremony essentially marks that agreement.
Our focus verses for today speak of the cloud covering the mountain. If you recall, the cloud has symbolized God's presence and glory, both protective but also mysterious. To those at the foot of the mountain, God's presence looked like fire. The fire certainly would signify God's guidance but also his holiness and power.
We don't speak enough anymore of the holiness of God. But as we get back into the book of Exodus, I think it's worth a brief discussion. God's holiness is one of his defining characteristics. It refers to his power, his goodness, his purity, and how God is totally without sin. His holiness clearly set God apart from the other pagan gods that were worshiped at the time.
But God's holiness can be totally overwhelming for humans, as we can see in today's passage. We know that Jesus Christ, God incarnate, was also holy and called us to be holy as well. What does this mean for us as humans to be holy? Is it even possible? Well, we aren't going to be holy in exactly the same way God is holy, but we can have lives characterized by holiness. This means we live "set apart" lives. As believers, we should behave and be different from those who don't know Jesus. This has nothing to do with what we wear or how we look on the outside (believers over the centuries have gotten this a bit wrong), it's all about what's going on in our heart. If we blend so well into our culture that our friends and neighbors don't know we profess faith in Jesus, then there's a problem.
Let's pray...Lord, help us be holy as you are holy. Cleanse our hearts. Help us reflect you in all we do and all we say. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Acts 28
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Acts 28:30-31, For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!
After a few months on the island of Malta, during which Paul was bitten by a viper (with no bad repercussions) and healed many people, they finally are able to secure a new ship and continue the journey to Rome. When they arrive, Paul is met by a group of believers. I love this. I picture a group waiting by the dock for the ship to come in, anxious to take care of Paul with warm hugs and casseroles! But Paul doesn't waste much time, after just three days he begins to preach, teach, and discuss his views with the Jewish leaders in Rome. It appears they are more open to Paul's teachings than the Jews in other locations.
The chapter closes with our two focus verses for today. For two years, Paul stays in Rome, in his own rented house, and welcomed all who came to see him. He taught about God's Kingdom and preached Jesus with boldness and without any obstacles. It's possible he resumed his tent-making in order to support himself but his main focus was conversion.
Paul's intention was always to go to Rome. But just like in our own lives, stuff happened. Riots, jail time, and shipwrecks, all thwarted the best of intentions. Eventually, Paul did end up in Rome and had two years there to share the Gospel. Our life journeys, though probably not as eventful as Paul's, never go in a straight line. There are ups and downs, steps backward, pauses, and spins. But God can and will use each of those experiences to grow us and to help us speak into the lives of others. It's always about the journey, not the destination.
Let's pray...God, we thank you for our life journey. For some of us, it's had more turns and twists than others but we know and trust that there was purpose at each step in the process. You met us at each point, encouraging us, strengthening us, growing us, and using us for your bigger purposes. We thank you, Lord, for the way you constantly show up in the midst of good circumstances and in the midst of difficult circumstances. In every place, show us your glory and help us reflect that glory to others. We love you, Amen.
Acts 27
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Acts 27:39-44, When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach. But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf.
The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely.
Paul's journey continues. This time, he is on his way to Rome. They hit very severe weather, which threatens to kill all those on board. It must have been quite dire, as they throw their cargo overboard to lighten up the ship. It sounds like weeks and weeks of hunger and misery. They finally see land. By this point, there isn't much left of the ship. The soldiers want to kill the prisoners but the centurion stops them, as he wanted to ensure that Paul was spared. It seems that the situation was a bit of a free for all; those who could swim, swam to shore. Others grabbed pieces of floating debris and yet all managed to get to shore safely.
This is such an interesting passage to me. The Scripture says there were 276 men on board that ship. They must have all been praying in whatever way they were accustomed to do so. I can't help but think that Paul was praying boldly and witnessing to all the men on board. In such a situation, it seems highly likely people would be very open to hearing about the eternal life offered through faith in Jesus. I wonder if that is why the centurion was so intent on saving Paul's life. Had he become a follower of Jesus?
Let's pray...Lord, you use all things in our life, good or bad, for your glory. Help us pay attention to those openings, those circumstances that may allow us to share our faith in you, so that others may experience the same hope and peace that you have filled us with. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Acts 26
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Acts 26:25-28, “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.” Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”
So now Paul is pleading his case before King Agrippa, to be more precise King Herod Agrippa II. Let's think about the power-hungry and unethical family of Herodians that had lorded authority over the Jews in the past several generations. The Herods were essentially puppet kings who the Romans put in charge of Judea. There was Herod the Great who tried to kill baby Jesus. Then there was his son, Herod Antipas, who beheaded John the Baptist for speaking out about his illegitimate marriage. Next in line was Agrippa I who beheaded James, the son of Zebedee. Now, Paul is standing before Agrippa II, with no sign of fear, simply speaking the truth with clarity and boldness.
In the interaction we see in today's focus Scriptures, governor Festus has accused Paul of insanity after hearing his full testimony, including his conversion on the road to Damascus. In response, Paul speaks directly to Agrippa, knowing that he was very familiar with the ways of the Jews. As Paul stands there in chains, he forcefully asks the king if he believes in the ways of the prophets. I kind of picture the king embarrassed in front of all his Roman/pagan friends, stammering, not quite knowing how to answer. So he asks Paul, "Do you think you can convince me to be a Christian in such a short time?" There must have been something about Agrippa that Paul knew he was curious and open. Maybe God told him to direct his questions to Agrippa. We can assume that throughout this whole trial, the Holy Spirit is directing Paul's words and actions. There is a purpose for each trial, for each giving of testimony, for each conversation, because in each setting, more and more people are exposed to the Gospel.
What's interesting to me is that at the end of this chapter, Agrippa and Festus are talking and say that it's a shame that Paul has appealed to the emperor because he had done nothing wrong and they could release him. However, his appeal meant he would be heading to Rome to testify once more. What they don't understand is that this isn't simply about Paul's freedom, it's about carrying the Good News to people and places it had never been before. God's up to something more.
Let's pray...Lord, we thank you that you are always up to something more. You were up to something deeper in the case of Paul and you are up to something deeper in our own lives. Help us see your hand at work, increase our trust, and help us live in to the calling you have placed in each of our lives. We love you, Amen.
Acts 25
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Acts 25:10-12, Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!” After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”
Paul’s on-going custody and trial continues in this chapter. Felix was recalled to Rome to handle some other events. The man who followed him died after just two years and now we find ourselves introduced to the new governor, Festus. So this means that Paul has been in custody for over two years! Festus quickly demonstrates that, while he will listen to the Jewish leaders’ accusations against Paul, he will not be bullied by them. He appears to want to give Paul a fair hearing once again. Now, the Jews were accusing Paul of both religious and civil offenses. Even if he were innocent, this raises red flags among the Roman authorities. So Paul uses last card, an appeal to Caesar himself, which was his right to do as a Roman citizen. This also means the Gospel message will now move further up the government ladder. God is at work here.
Let’s pray…God, you work in amazing ways. Just as you orchestrated bringing the Good News up the Roman authority ladder in Paul’s case, you work in our lives and the lives of those we love. Help us have ears to hear and eyes to see you at work, help us be willing to respond to you when called, and help us increase our trust. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Acts 24
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Acts 24:24-25, Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”
The case against Paul was presented by an attorney named Tertullus before the governor Felix. When he finished accusing Paul of stirring up trouble and desecrating the temple, Paul boldly defends himself. Up until this point, Paul has been found guilty of nothing. It’s seems obvious that Felix can find no fault as well, but he is hesitant to release Paul. He goes and visits him with his wife to learn more. When Paul begins to speak of righteousness (some translations say justice), self-control, and the judgement to come, Felix becomes afraid and stops the conversation. That’s because these were things with which Felix struggled. He was known for his human rights abuses and injustices, he was known for his lust and lack of self-control, and he had every right to be afraid of the judgment to come.
Sometimes, people are curious about the Gospel and may even feel convicted, but when it comes down to it, they aren’t willing to turn to Jesus. We have no evidence that Felix ever became a believer in Jesus but I like to think that his meetings with Paul were acts of prevenient grace, God at work in the life of Felix before he ever knew it. I try to remind myself of that when I speak to people about faith. They may not make a commitment to Christ right now, but seeds have been planted. God will keep seeking them, wooing them toward him. God’s not done with anyone yet.
Let’s pray…Almighty God, thank you for sending people to lead us to you. We are so very grateful for the people and circumstances you placed in our lives to lead us closer and closer to you. Give us opportunities to do the same toward others we encounter – friends, coworkers, neighbors, and even strangers. Give us the right words to share about faith in you. We pray for all those people in our lives who don’t yet know you. We trust in your prevenient grace, that you will keep seeking them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Acts 23
The Scripture reading for today is Acts 23. To access this Scripture, click here:
Acts 23:11, That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, “Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.”
Early on in this chapter, we find Paul speaking before the high council and things aren't going well. He gets slapped by the high priest and there is violent disagreement on the council how to deal with him. The discord is so bad that Paul actually has to leave the location. Paul's fate seems uncertain at best. And then, when all seems lost, God speaks clearly to Paul, telling him to be encouraged, for this would not be the end; he would carry the message of the Gospel all the way to Rome!
I read this chapter and it immediately brought to mind what Paul himself writes to the Romans in 8:28, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Paul has been through so much at this point, including fear, extreme discomfort, and physical pain. He probably thought Jerusalem was going to be the end for him and he was at peace with that. But God had something else in mind. God wanted to use Paul's bold witness to bring the Gospel further, to higher levels of government, so that more could believe. What seems like desperate times to humans, God can redeem for his own purposes.
What has God redeemed in your life? I know that in the midst of dire circumstances, it is often difficult to see God at work. But later, when we have perspective, we can see how God took what was dark and ugly and brought something good from it. I should say that bringing something good out of a painful situation doesn't mean fixing it for us but rather demonstrating his glory. This is sometimes hard for us to wrap our human brains around. I think it takes lots of prayer and lots of trust.
Let's pray...Almighty God, help us increase our trust in you. In the middle of hard life circumstances, we trust that you will take what is dark and use it for your good. For many people out there reading this, please give them the gift of seeing your hand at work in and through the most difficult times of their lives. Let them see how you make all things work together for the good of those who love you. We pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Acts 22
The Scripture reading for today is Acts 22. To access this Scripture, click here:
Acts 22:27-30, So the commander went over and asked Paul, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?”
“Yes, I certainly am,” Paul replied.
“I am, too,” the commander muttered, “and it cost me plenty!”
Paul answered, “But I am a citizen by birth!”
The soldiers who were about to interrogate Paul quickly withdrew when they heard he was a Roman citizen, and the commander was frightened because he had ordered him bound and whipped. The next day the commander ordered the leading priests into session with the Jewish high council. He wanted to find out what the trouble was all about, so he released Paul to have him stand before them.
The scholars have mixed opinions on how being a Roman citizen in that day and time determined one's treatment by governing authorities. Certainly, in Paul's case, it kept him from being lynched and then flogged. In fact, the commander seems frightened when he finds out that the man he is about to whip is a Roman citizen by birth. (I would have hated to see what they did to the non-citizens. It was a brutal world.)
But one thing Paul could not get out of was being sent before the Jewish high council. I'm sure the Roman commander would be relieved to give Paul to the Jewish leaders. Let them be the ones faced with the repercussions of dealing with such a controversial figure. What will it mean for Paul to go before the high council? The council, also referred to as the Sanhedrin, was led by the high priest and consisted of Pharisees and Sadducees. This group had broad authority, overseeing criminal, civil, and religious cases. This was a group that would not be sympathetic to Paul. Part of their role was to discern when the Messiah returned and they clearly did not think Jesus was it. Hearing Paul preaching Jesus as Lord would be deemed blasphemous.
Will their distain keep Paul silent or make him soften his message? I think we can all guess that the answer is no! Paul is resolute in what God has called him to do. No amount of persecution, oppression, or intimidation will keep him from teaching about Jesus. So our question for the day - what keeps us from speaking boldly about Jesus?
Let's pray...give us the courage to speak boldly about our faith in Jesus. In your name, Amen.