REVDANS

Dear Fellowship of the Burning Heart:

Beyond the bronze altar in the courtyard sat the bronze laver filled with water, used by the priests as they moved between their ministry at the altar and their ministry in the holy place. They would continually wash as they went from one place to the other. The laver would serve as a constant reminder of the need for continual cleansing.

Cleansing is a constant need and continual challenge. We live in a dirty world, physically, psychologically, morally, and spiritually. And its filth is unavoidable. We are born into a dirty world filled with the filth and stench of sin, and we are tainted by the dirt of disobedience. Selfishness and rebellion, marks of the Fall, reveal themselves early. Those marks continue to characterize our lives until we are cleansed from their filth.

The foundation for our spiritual cleansing is the blood of Jesus Christ. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses (is cleansing) us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Walking in the light is a condition of fellowship. We are children of the light. We are done with groping in the darkness. Others love the darkness rather than the light because their deeds are evil. They won’t come to the light because they are afraid their works will be exposed. We are not afraid of the light because we want the source of our works to be revealed (John 3:19-21). The God who brought light into existence has shone his light in our hearts to give the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). His light purifies us.

The channel of cleansing is confession. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Now, we must honestly fess up. We must not deceive ourselves by thinking that we are ok, that we have not been tainted or infected by the filth of the world. We do not deceive others. They recognize the smudges and stench of sin. The truth is not in us, because we refuse to admit that we need cleansing. We must also recognize the ways in which sin has affected and infected us: the wretched attitudes, the selfish emotions, the hurtful words, and the harmful actions that are both self-destructive and damaging to others. We cannot be truly cleansed, if we don’t agree about what has caused our moral and spiritual filth. If we don’t agree with God about what sin is and how wrong it is, we are simply calling him a liar, and reveal that we don’t believe what his word says about sin (1 John 1:7, 10).

If our desire to draw near to God is genuine, then this cleansing from sin is mandatory. Hebrews 10:22:   “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Fortunately,

There is a fountain filled with blood,
Drawn from Immanuel’s veins,
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains.

Dear Fellowship of the Burning Heart:

When a worshiper approached the tabernacle and entered the gate with a sacrifice (always bringing a sacrifice), the first sight was that of a bronze altar with smoke ascending from smoldering embers. Priests would be gathered around preparing the sacrifices, handling the slaughter of animals and the collection of the blood. It must have been a gruesome sight to behold.

Having grown up on a farm, I can recall helping my dad slaughter, gut, and butcher animals for food. That was gruesome enough, but to add to it the stench of burning flesh and the multiplication of offerings must have magnified the effect. My dad butchered animals for food, but so did the priests, who were authorized by God to take part of the sacrificial animal for their and their families sustenance. The only sacrifice excluded from this was the burnt offering, which was wholly dedicated and given to God.

What took place in this area affected everything else. The blood from this altar was used to sprinkle or “sanctify” every person and article in the tabernacle complex. God is emphasizing the place and importance of sacrifice in worship. As death has presided over the human race since Adam’s sin, so a substitutionary death must be offered to pay for our disobedience, “for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Genesis 1:17). If we are to escape the second death (eternal death or separation from God) and inherit eternal life, our debt must be paid.

Some people wonder how God could receive such pleasure from such a gruesome and seemingly barbaric enterprise. It may be wise to remind ourselves at this point that it was indeed God’s design.

Exodus 25:8-9:   And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.

Exodus 39:32: Thus all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting was finished, and the people of Israel did according to all that the LORD had commanded Moses; so they did.

I believe that God was establishing in the magnitude and the multiplication of the sacrificial system an indelible impression on the minds of the worshipers concerning the awfulness of sin and it’s consequences. The gruesome nature of the sight emphasized the gruesome effect and consequences of sin on the human race. It has exacted a terrible toll in terms of grief and pain. And the sacrifice of animals could only point to the need for payment rather than provide payment.

The author of Hebrews reminds us (Hebrews 10:3-4): But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

We no longer approach God bringing our sacrifice, but we accept the sacrifice God has provided for us: Jesus, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:36).

Hebrews 10:11-14    And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

In the gruesome death of a crucified Savior we see both the awfulness of sin and the great love of God. He not only desires our approach, he invites us and has made it possible for us to accept the invitation.

The book of Hebrews offers an extended comparison and contrast between the old covenant as presented in the Old Testament and the new covenant inaugurated by Christ and presented in the New Testament.

The author argues that Jesus is superior to the angels, to Moses, to the earthly high priest, and to the Levitical priesthood because he is a priest after the order of Melchizedek.

Our high priest is seated at the right hand of God ministering in the true holy place and the true tent erected by God, not man. The earthly Levitical system, he explains, serves “a copy and shadow of the heavenly things” (Hebrews 8:5).

“But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.” (Hebrews 8:6-7)

After he describes the details of the structure and objects of the tabernacle in the Old Testament, he then points to the reality that lies beyond it. “But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:11-12)

He calls the objects of the tabernacle used for worship and purified by the sprinkling of sacrificial blood “the copies of the heavenly things” (Hebrews 9:23) and “copies of the true things” (Hebrews 9:24).

Then the author turns to the “law” as it stands in this instance for all that was associated with the old covenant (with its priesthood, covenant, sacrifices, and tabernacle). He calls it a “shadow”.

For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. (Hebrews 10:1)

Dear Fellowship of the Burning Heart:

What I want you to consider is this: even if the earthly tabernacle is only a shadow, a copy, a type, it still has a lot to teach us about how to approach God and how to worship him. This I will explore over next week’s posts. I believe there is much to learn about the realities which stand behind the copies by exploring what the copies tell us about those realities.

I hope you will persevere with me as we pursue God this year.

O the bliss of those who hunger and thirst for all that sets them right with God, for they shall be satisfied to the full. Matthew 5:6 (Barclay)

Dear Fellowship of the Burning Heart:

This is the last blog post for the week and I thought I would end the week with a prayer I came across that I hope expresses the desire of those who are following me in this adventure.

The following prayer comes from a book entitled Growing Your Soul by Neil B. Wiseman, p. 11.

Oh, the incredible appetite I have for growing a great soul.

Today, I hunger for more of You. I seek You with my whole self – my mind, my will, my emotions. In the midst of these confusing times, I long to know You better. I hunger for a holy life to make me spiritually whole and healthy. I am anxious to grow a great soul.

What
a worthwhile aim.
a glorious hope.
an adventuresome possibility.
an opportunity for partnership with You.

(Complete this prayer for yourself)

To make it happen in my inner world,
Free me from…
Enable me to become…
And tear down every hindrance in me, such as…
I open my whole life to Your will and Your promise. Amen.

Dear Fellowship of the Burning Heart:

We have physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual needs. Of course, we need to find the legitimate and appropriate ways to meet those needs. But that is not as simple as we imagine. In fact, we often get our satisfiers crossed and mis-identify our needs. That is why, when we are emotionally stressed or feel lonely, we use food to bring physical comfort and relief. We are not really “hungry”, but since we can’t get emotional relief, we settle for physical satisfaction.

Deep within us we want to feel that our life matters, that we have a reason for being, that there is a purpose for us in life. Some have called the search for significance. Getting our wires crossed here, we seek significance in our career, our status, our reputation, our acclaim, our recognition. We think that by feeling important or successful, we will satisfy our need for meaning. But as the author of Ecclesiastes reminds us, death brings our hard work, our wealth, our fame, our position, and our influence to an end. From this perspective, he declares, “All is meaningless.” He spends a lengthy part of his book laying out the evidence that from this worldly, human perspective this is the logical conclusion.

He ends his book by pointing his readers upward toward an eternal perspective. We only find our ultimate significance in God through His Word because only the One who created us can tell us why we are here and how we can gain the significance we crave.

Deep within us we long to sense that we are loved unconditionally, that we matter to others, that we will be missed when we are gone, and that we have a future where we can always be with the people we love in a place of eternal bliss. Some call this the search for security. In this world we seldom find this kind of love or security. Parents may reject their children, children may neglect their parents, spouses may declare that the unending love they proclaimed for you has ended, lifelong friendships may suddenly come to an end over a misunderstanding. Putting our complete trust in any earthly relationship is precarious.

God says to his people, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” Only God’s love is clear, unconditional, complete and consistent. Only in him will we ever find the place of ultimate security.

Psalm 91:1-2 NIV
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

Deuteronomy 33:27 NIV
The eternal God is your refuge,
and underneath are the everlasting arms.

Dear Fellowship of the Burning Heart:

These keys were listed in yesterday’s post:

1. Hear
2. Read
3. Study
4. Memorize
5. Meditate

I previously discussed the first two. Now I will address the last three.

3. Study. Haven’t you ever spent time studying someone or something that appeared beautiful, caught your attention, or garnered your appreciation. I have spent time enjoying the splendor of a sunset, contemplating cloud formations, learning the habits, expressions, and features of the one I love. If you care about the subject, you will study that subject, and the more you care the more intense and extensive your study. If we care about God, we will want to know the kind of person he is, what is important to him, and what he expects from us. This study is much more than an academic pursuit; it is personal and passionate. When I was dating, I wanted to know what my beloved enjoyed, what would please her, what she was expecting or desiring, what her thoughts were, how she was feeling and much more. I wanted to know, not so that I could write a paper, explore the subject or present a thesis. I wanted to know because I cared and wanted to respond to her. Thus, we should be students of God and his Word, because we want to know him personally and intimately.

4. Memorize. Now what does this have to do with relationship? Well, if you love someone or care about them, you will want to commit things to memory about them that you can recall: their birthday, favorite food, what they enjoy doing, and more. You commit them to memory, not because you want to pass a test about their life or to impress them. You memorize these details because they are important to the one you love. Committing to memory things about God and his Word is all about your love for him. Because these things are important to him and he has entrusted them to you, you want to remember them.

5. Meditate. Often when relating to another person, we face problems, challenges or issues that demand a thoughtful and thought out response. Something your partner says to you or a suggestion they give you must be weighed mentally and considered carefully. You can’t give an immediate answer or spontaneous approval. Sometimes, an issue or problem demands deep and careful consideration before moving forward. Meditation is thoughtful consideration of what God has said and what that means to you and for you. He doesn’t expect an immediate response. He wants you to carefully weigh his instructions and understand his thoughts and ways. Though we can’t know everything about him, I am convinced we can know a great deal more than we think, if we are willing to stop and meditate on his Word.

So when I was given those 5 words, I knew they were important, but I was not aware that they hold a deeper wisdom than I imagined. I can continue, as in the past to approach them as rules, as duty, or I can see them as keys to growing an intimate relationship with God. I now wholeheartedly choose the latter.

Dear Fellowship of the Burning Heart:

In a previous article, Relationship: Authentic or Synthetic, I asked the question: “What are the keys practices that foster it (relationship)?” I didn’t get any responses so I thought that I would give one.

When I was a young Christian I learned five key words that when, recalled to mind, would aid spiritual formation. They are:

1. Hear
2. Read
3. Study
4. Memorize
5. Meditate

I was thinking about these simple words and it occurred to me that they reveal the keys to building relationship. Let me explain.

1. Hear. It’s no secret that listening is a key skill in the pursuit of developing relationship. It’s also a difficult skill to develop. Most of us are far more comfortable talking. But the only way to really get to know another person (their hopes, fears, desires, needs, goals, etc.) is to listen. Now, listening is more than just hearing sounds or words. Listening is an active participation in the conversation, attentive to the words spoken, the expressions made, the emotions conveyed. Listening seeks to get to the heart of the other person. God speaks to us through his creation, through our circumstances, through others, and in our spirit as well as through his Word. Are you listening?

Let me suggest that we should think of prayer more in terms of listening than speaking. I don’t think that it’s wrong to tell God what we want or how we feel. Certainly, he wants to hear from us. If we are seeking him, none of our words fall on deaf ears. However, we are told to “be quiet” (Psalm 46:10) and know that he is God. Elijah heard from God, not through a strong wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a “low whisper.” (1 Kings 19:12 ESV) Had Elijah not been listening or prepared to listen, he would have missed the whisper of God. I wonder if, during the chaos, commotion, and cacophony of life, we fail to hear God whispering to us. Prayer can become an opportunity to listen as well as to speak.

2. Read. The most common way to do this in our relationship with God is to listen to him in the Word, the Bible. He has spoken and we need to listen to what he has to say to us. It may seem simplistic, but I believe that the power of the Bible lies in its ability to speak to me in my circumstances and my situation. Reading the Bible to hear from God ought to be the major reason to approach it. To do this we must not neglect asking ourselves what he was saying and what he meant when he first gave the message. Knowing his initial audience and their circumstances also helps our understanding. But we must press on to discover what he wants to communicate to us.

One way to learn about another is to read the letters and other correspondence addressed to us. When my wife and I were separated the last few months before our marriage, we agreed to write a letter to each other every day. That was no small feat for a young man unaccustomed to writing letters. But it kept us close to each other during a challenging time. Remember the days of “love letters“. Maybe we should now call them love emails or texting. Consider the Bible God’s love letter to us, letting us know his love and concern for us and giving us information about himself that we need.

(Stay tuned in for another post describing the last three words.)

Psalm 34:8 KJV
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Dear Fellowship of the Burning Heart:

The other day I saw a commercial showing a man being encouraged to try almond milk. The man says he doesn’t want to because he doesn’t know how it tastes. The argument that he hasn’t tried it and he might like it isn’t convincing at first.

The invitation stands in Scripture about a relationship with God. Try it and see. Many criticize things about which they have no experience. Take it for a drive, kick the tires, look under the hood. Others have tasted and found it both satisfying and addicting.

Psalm 119:103 NIV
How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!

My grandmother used to say, ” I hope you brought your appetite.” Spiritual craving is about recognizing appetite, but it is also about recognizing what will satisfy it. Developing a taste for the nutritious foods that provide nourishment to the body takes time. I now enjoy many foods for which I had no taste as a youth, and some that I formerly loathed. Are you willing to develop a spiritual appetite? If you wait too long to eat, you may be overcome by a spiritual craving. Be careful not to seek to satisfy it with that which can’t.

Isaiah 55:1-2 NIV
“Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

Dear Fellowship of the Burning Heart:

In your study of the Bible have you ever wondered not just about what a particular passage means, but also why it has been placed in a particular spot in the flow of the passage?

I believe we can learn a lot from the context of a passage or verse of Scripture. For instance, in Matthew 13 Jesus found himself surrounded by a “great multitude” of people, so many in fact that he went out from the sea shore in a boat as they stood on the bank and he taught them in parables.

The first is the classic Parable of the Soils. It stands as a model for his way of teaching in parables and also as a basis for determining its effectiveness in the lives of his disciples. The point of the parable is that our willingness to receive and apply his teaching determines how productive it is in our lives. If we allow distractions, if we succumb to obstacles, his word will not be able to produce in us the results he desires.

The second, the Parable of the Tares, is a parable about final judgment. This is followed by two parables, The Mustard Seed and The Leaven, emphasizing the powerful impact the kingdom will have, even from a small beginning. After explaining the link between his teaching method and prophecy, Matthew then shares Jesus’ explanation of the Parable of the Tares or Weeds, which focuses on the opposing destinies of the righteous and wicked.

The next two parables focus on the need to make a commitment and the ultimate value of the kingdom. The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price lay out scenarios where something of incomparable value is found and someone is willing to give all to obtain it.

The final parable, The Parable of the Net, returns to the theme of final judgment. Sandwiched between these two parables about the solemn nature of the final judgment, the Parables of Hidden Treasure and Pearl of Great Price are raised to a greater level, because, in light of the judgment day, what we choose to value (“Seek first the kingdom of God – Matthew 6:33) has eternal and immeasurable consequences.

So have you found the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price, that for which you are willing to give your all. We become most passionate about what is most important to us.