Jesus

DISCLAIMER: I am not advocating for either candidate. How you vote is strictly your privilege as an American and I do not desire to try to influence anyone in any direction. But as one who loves the Lord and hates it when I hear someone say “Jesus Christ” as a swear word, I can’t stop from speaking out. I want to tell them “Please don’t do that. There are plenty of cuss words you can use but don’t invoke my Savior’s name like that.” So it has bothered me all weekend as the name of Jesus has been used, I think, for political purposes and I have to air my pain and, yes, even anger. If as you read this, I offend you, I am sorry.

Growing up in church, I learned the Ten Commandments early in life. One of them said (in the King James language) “thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain.”

To me that meant I should not swear or use God’s name as a cuss word. No “God dam” or “Jesus Christ.”

While I still believe the commandment includes that, I realize today there is many ways we can take the name of the Lord in vain. Sadly, I have seen it done more and more in our highly divided political situation.

At a recent political rally some young people tried to interrupt the speaker by yelling “Jesus is Lord.” When the speaker moved on and rejected their calls, immediately the speaker was accused of being against Jesus.

When we say “Jesus is Lord” our motive should be one of praising Jesus and trying to bring glory to His name. It should never be to cause confusion or division. You would not go into a Hindu temple or a Jewish synagogue and cry that. You would understand they would not agree with you, and you would only cause a problem for everyone. It would not bring glory to Jesus.

So, in a crowd where someone is trying to speak on political issues it is not the place to interrupt with what is not really a praise to Jesus, but rather a disruptive tactic.

Jesus is Lord and should be praised, but his name should never be used as a political tool.

When we call ourselves “Christian” we are also taking on the name of the Lord. We are saying we are part of Jesus’ family. If our actions do not reflect the goodness of God, we are taking his name in vain.

As a young girl sometimes when my siblings and I would go to an event, my father would say, “Don’t do anything that would discredit the family name.” He was teasing us as he did not think we would do that, but still, it did make us stop and think about our actions.

My prayer is that I will live in a way that I never bring discredit to the family name of Jesus Christ. And I pray that we will not allow his name to be used for political gain.

We have examined the furnishings of the Holy Place. Now we look at the Most Holy Place.

The Most Holy Place was small, just 15 by 15 feet. There was a veil separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. This veil was woven from fine linen and made of blue, purple and scarlet yarn. Moses was instructed to have skilled craftsmen embroider figures of cherubim in the veil.

We first read about cherubim in Genesis where they were placed to guard the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve were evicted because of their disobedience. Ezekiel also mentions them in a vision. The creatures he describes are strange with four faces and attached wheels full of eyes. Could these be real creatures or only symbols? Some Bible scholars proposed that these were symbols showing God as all-wise, all-knowing, all-seeing. The fact that the wheels moved forward without turning express God’s righteousness and truth – he is faithful, never changing. However, we see similar creatures in Revelation that appear to be real beings that stand before the throne of God and worship him day and night.

Like the cherubim guarding the Garden of Eden, the cherubim in the veil appeared to be saying “You can come this far, but no further.”

Behind the veil was the Art of the Covenant. This was a box made from acacia wood 45 inches long, 27 inches wide and 27 inches high. Overlaid with gold, it was fitted with two pairs of gold rings with permanent poles inserted. When the Israelites moved, the poles were used for the priests to carry the ark. No one was to touch the ark because God had said His presence would dwell over the ark. (Exodus 25:22)

There has been much speculation through the years since the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed, first by the Babylonians in 586 BC and later the Romans in 70 AD as to what happened the ark. Hollywood a few years ago made a movie called “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” Totally nonsense.

The ark contained the two tablets of the Law that God had given Moses on Mt. Sinai (Exodus 25:16), Aaron’s rod that had budded (Numbers 17) and a jar of manna (Exodus 16). The Law stood for the covenant between God and the Israelites. The rod reminded the Israelites of the danger of rebellion against God. The jar of manna reminded them of God’s providence for them.

They were to make a cover for the ark of pure gold the same width and length as the ark. On that cover were a pair of cherubim. While no one knows exactly what the ark looked like, from the description in the Bible, artists have tried to imagine it.

The cover of the ark had two cherubim facing each other with their wings extended over the cover. The space between them was called the mercy seat. God said He would meet with them over the mercy seat.

The Hebrew word for this mercy seat is kapporeth. This word speaks of a sacrifice that reconciles and leads to peacemaking. Under the Law, the High Priest would enter the Most Holy Place only once a year where he made a sacrifice for the sins of the entire nation. Today, this special day is celebrated by the Jewish community. It is called “Yom Kippur” (Day of Atonement). This is the holiest day of the year in Judaism and is celebrated by making thing right (atonement) and repentance.

Think of the separation between God and the average person. Only the High Priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and he could do so only one day a year. What a dilemma God told them to build a tabernacle because He wanted to dwell among them. Yet, because of man’s sinfulness and God’s holiness, they were limited in their relationship with Him.

What to do?

Enter Jesus. On His death, Matthew’s Gospel tells us the veil was torn in two. The way to God is now open for everyone.

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh.” Hebrews 10:19-20,

Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice, he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:11-14

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-

I am so thankful for what Jesus did for me. To know that I can enter confidently into His presence. To know I need no person to intercede to God for me. Jesus has opened the door and said, “Barbara, come on in. You are welcome!”

The door is open for everyone. John 3:16 tells us that “God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whosoever believes should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

We have looked at the Golden Table of Shewbread and the Golden Lampstand. Today I will share about the third piece of furniture in the Holy Place – The altar of incense.

The altar was made of acacia wood covered with gold. It was about 18 inches square and three feet tall. It stood in the Holy Place just in front of the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.

A vessel with live coals was placed on the altar and the priest would enter the Most Holy Place and sprinkle incense on the coals every morning and every evening. (Exodus 30:7-8)

This incense was to be a special blend of fragrances and was to be used only on the altar. Anyone who made this fragrance for personal use was to be cut off from the community. (Exodus 34:34-38) The fire used to burn the incense was to be taken from the altar of burnt offerings that was outside the Holy Place.

Much of scripture associates incense to prayer. David wrote in Psalm 141, “May my prayer be counted as incense before You; The raising of my hands as the evening offering.”

When John wrote about his vision of heaven, he described a scene where he saw “the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.”

“Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne.”

Zechariah was offering the incense on the altar when the angel Gabriel appeared to him and told him he and his wife Elizabeth were going to have a son. The Gospel of Luke tells us that while Zechariah was offering the incense, the people were outside praying – again an association with the incense offering and prayer. “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,”

I find it interesting as we look at the Tabernacle we first come to the burnt altar, where sacrifice for sin took place. Then, we pass the golden laver where the priests washed their hands before entering the Holy Place.

This points, I believe, that as we approach God, we first stop at the cross and receive forgiveness of our sins by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Cleansed by the blood of Jesus, we still live in an imperfect world. As I shared in the post on the golden laver, we need to continue to take time to examine our hearts and minds and allow God’s Spirit to convict and then cleanse us again.

“In Biblical times, the priests would have washed at home. But walking through the dirty, dusty streets their feet could easily become dirty again. Perhaps this is a reminder to us that although we are saved by faith in Jesus and are clean, we are surrounded by a world that is far from God. Perhaps a reminder that while we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ, it can be easy for us to pick up pollution from the world around. Things we see, words we hear, actions we encounter with others. How do you embrace the holy and live in a polluted world? You must keep stopping the laver.”

As we continue our approach into the presence of God we enter the Holy Place. Here we see the golden lampstand and the golden table of shewbread, and we are reminded that Jesus is the light and the bread of life. Coming face to face with the veil separating us from the Most Holy Place we find the altar of incense – the place of prayer.

Some believe this represents Jesus interceding for us before the throne of God. “Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.” Hebrews 7:25

Others think this points to our need to make prayer a daily, constant part of our lives. “One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.” Luke 18:1

Either view to me is encouraging. That Jesus is actively interceding for me, that He is aware of me and my strengths and failures. It is a comfort to know that He did not just die on the cross, arise again and return to heaven waiting until He returns someday. But He is actively involved in my walk with God.

It also comforts me to know that the prayers of God’s people are shown in John’s vision of heaven to ascend before God’s throne. He hears my prayers. It is a sweet-smelling fragrance to him.

As we communicate with God at the golden altar of incense, we are getting close to actually entering the Most Holy Place – the very presence of God.

How do we do that? What does the veil separating the priest from the Most Holy Place tell us about our relationship with God today?

I’ll be addressing that next Sunday. Hope you join me then.

In the meantime, know that God loves you and wants to hear from you. Spend time in prayer with Him this week.

In the Holy Place there were three pieces of furniture. Last week I looked at the golden lampstand.

/https://barblaneblog.com/2024/09/08/let-your-light-shine/

Today let’s take a look at the golden table of shewbread. Made of acacia wood and covered with gold, it was 36 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 27 inches high.  There was a gold molding around the edges and four gold rings to hold poles that were used to carry the table when the Israelites moved from place to place.

The Table of Shewbread is called in Hebrew “lechem panim” or Bread of Face or Bread of Presence. The bread was set in the Tabernacle before the face or presence of God. The table was to hold twelve loaves of bread, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. The bread was to be replaced every Sabbath and only the priests could eat the bread.

As the priests ate the bread, I think of our own homes as we gather around the table to share a meal. We do not just sit and eat, but we share with one another how our day has been, the latest political or sports news, our plans for the week, things that are of interest to us. Eating a meal together is part of most of our gathering with others – weddings, funerals, holidays all include a time of sharing food together.

With the table of shewbread and the priests sharing this bread every Sabbath, I think we can see it pointing to how God desires a time of fellowship with us also.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1:14

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

“God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:9

The bread was to be made of the finest flour. In order to make flour the grain had to be ground, crushed and sifted. This also points to the life of Jesus here on earth as he faced temptation by Satan, betrayal by his own disciples and finally a cruel death on a Roman cross.

Tradition says the bread was to be unleavened. Since all the other grain offerings in the Mosaic law were to be without leaven, it seems likely this bread would also be the same. Leaven in the Bible has many different meanings. One meaning, however, points to how a small amount of leaven in a pan of dough causes the whole dough to raise, so allowing a “little” sin in our lives can soon destroy our relationship with God.

“Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” James 1:15

Finally, I think it certainly points to Jesus who said, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” John 6:35

We can celebrate this gift of life from Jesus and the fellowship with Him in many different ways. But one main way we do this is though communion. Depending on what church you attend, you may believe that the bread actually becomes the flesh of Jesus. Or, you may believe it is a symbol of his body, but not actually his flesh.

Regardless of how you view it, through partaking of the bread in communion we acknowledge the importance of receiving the forgiveness from Jesus made through his sacrifice on the cross.

I’m sure many of you have heard the story behind this song “It Is Well.” But if you have not, here it is. It is an inspiring testimony of how God is present in the middle of our tragedies. That does not mean a Christian feels no pain, heartache, sorrow. Rather it proclaims that God is present with us and gives us the courage and strength we need to face the problems life sometimes brings us.

This song has been a great encouragement to me at different times in my life. If you are struggling with a problem, I hope it will also encourage you to look to God for the strength you need.

The writer of the hymn, Horatio Spafford, was a successful lawyer and real estate investor in Chicago. Along with his wife, Anna, and their five children they were active in service to their church and their community in Chicago. In 1871 their young son died of scarlet fever and the great Chicago fire destroyed their real estate properties living them in difficult financial circumstances.

Two years later, in 1873, the family planned a trip to Europe. When business required his presence in Chicago, he sent his wife and four daughters on to Europe. On the trip, the ship was struck by another ship and it sank. His wife was rescued, but all four daughters were lost.

Spafford booked a ship to Europe to join his wife. As the ship neared the place where his daughters had been drowned, he wrote the words of this song.

“Consistently Jesus refused to use coercive power. He knowingly let one of his disciples betray him and then surrendered himself without protest to his captors. Despite Jesus’ plain example, many of His followers have been unable to resist choosing the way of Herod over that of Jesus. The Crusaders who pillaged the Near East, the conquistadors who converted the New World at the point of a sword, the Christian explorers in Africa who cooperated with the slave trade…we are still feeling aftershocks from their mistakes. History shows that WHEN THE CHURCH USES THE TOOLS OF THE WORLD’S KINGDOM, IT BECOMES AS INEFFECTUAL, OR AS TYRANNICAL AS ANY OTHER POWER STRUCTURE. When the church has intermingled with the state (the Holy Roman Empire, Cromwell’s England, Calvin’s Geneva) the appeal of the faith suffers as well. Ironically, OUR RESPECT IN THE WORLD DECLINES IN PROPORTION TO HOW VIGOROUSLY WE ATTEMPT TO FORCE OTHERS TO ADOPT OUR POINT OF VIEW”

From “The Jesus I Never Knew” by Philip Yancey.

Do you have your Christmas shopping done? In years past I always tried to do my shopping early before the crowds got so large. Today, with so many opportunities to shop on-line, I can avoid the stores completely.

As you make your list of who is naughty and who has been nice, may I make some suggestions on who you should include in your list.

2.3 billion people lack basic hand washing facilities with water and soap. One out of four people lack clean drinking water. In Sierra Leone, this is a typical water access point for over 50% of the rural population. Every single day, men, women, children, grandmas, and grandpas, eat, drink, and bathe with water from sources like this. Sanitation is even worse.

Mariatu’s Hope works with the government to bring clean water to communities. They also provide breast milk for babies whose mothers have died, teen pregnancy education, provide needed nutrition to families with small babies and share the story of Jesus.

We take having clean water with just a turn of the faucet for granted. Not so in so many other countries. Look at these happy faces as they get clean water right in their own community.

As Mariatu’s Hope continues to expand new waterpoint program areas, drilling formations have become more difficult. For 2024, Mariatu’s Hope will celebrate their 10-year anniversary and as part of their celebration they are seeking fund to purchase a new LS400 rotary drill rig. This will increase their capacity and capability when drilling in harder formations.

You can learn more about this great organization and give support by checking out their Facebook page at Mariatu’s Hope.

This Christmas, let your Christmas list go beyond your own circle of family and friends. Remember Jesus said:

“For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink….I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!“

Give a real gift to Jesus for His birthday!!

I love the old Christmas carols that I grew up singing and listening to on the radio and at church. But a couple of trees ago a new carol was written. To me, it is one of the best conveyors of the Christmas story.

Hope Has a Name.

Hope you enjoy it!