Jesus is the Way

January 11, 2022 by Ali Shaw Leave a Comment

All this month on the blog, we are examining the names of Jesus, and this month we start with “the Way.”

When my daughters were old enough to hold the chunky shapes in their chubby fists, the shape sorter toy came out of the toy bin and we’d play with it together. To get the square into the bucket, we’d carefully turn the shape in just the right way so that it would fit through the corresponding square-shaped hole. The star went through the star-shaped hole; the circle went through the circle-shaped hole, and so on. As my toddler daughters tried to put a star into the square, they found that it didn’t work. It wasn’t the right way to play with this toy.

We live in an age where many ways seem right— a “you do it your way, I’ll do it mine” mentality. And while that might be ok (even healthy) in some scenarios, there is one area where this way of thinking just doesn’t work.

Jesus is the Way

There is a way, and His name is Jesus. Let’s look at John 14:6 and talk about it a bit together.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

In this short verse, Jesus is making a very big claim. He is saying that there is only one way to get to God, and He is it!

But what does that really mean?

Please forgive my imperfect analogy, but it’s a little like my shape sorter. There is only one right shape that can fit through its matching hole. When the shape and hole don’t match, the toy doesn’t work. (I know, I know– technically, it won’t work if you try to put the correct piece in sideways or off-center and so forth, but we’ll ignore that. Let’s just focus on needing the right piece.)

In our case, there is only one right “hole” to get to God. It’s a Jesus-shaped hole. So, we must be shaped like Him in order to pass through. How can this happen? Well, since Jesus is the Way, we must come to Jesus in saving faith. Then we get the Holy Spirit. The Spirit in us (“Jesus in our hearts”) matches the Jesus-shaped hole, so we can then go right on through to the Father’s presence.

It’s so simple!

And yet, it’s beautifully rich. God loves us so much that He sent His only Son (John 3:16) to save us from our sins. (Matthew 1:21, John 10:9) All we must do is confess His Lordship and believe in Him. (Romans 10:9) He then washes us clean (1 John 1:7, Hebrews 10:10). That’s all it takes to get the Jesus-shape in order to “fit into the hole” (have access to God). Then we can have a relationship with God the Father. And with that relationship comes eternal salvation! But not only that– there is also fruit of the Spirit, companionship with God and others, grace, peace, guidance, strength, and more.

This Way is a Relief

Toddlers often struggle when they play with a shape sorter by themselves. Getting the right shape and then fitting it in correctly can be a struggle. This reminds me a little of how it looks when we humans try to save ourselves on our own power.

We can look at the world around us to see how humans have tried either to get to God apart from Christ or tried to work their own salvation.

Money, power, fame, security, and health aren’t evil, but if we are relying on them to be our salvation they will fail us every time. If we put them before God, they become our idols. We’ll never be satisfied and we’ll never feel secure enough. There’s always something to work toward and the bar usually winds up raising just a little higher. (After all, for just one example, how much money is really enough?) These things just aren’t the Way.

There is great relief in trusting Jesus! Rather than struggling to make our own way, like struggling to fit a star into a square-shaped hole, we can rest in Jesus. He is the perfect sacrifice to open the door to God the Father. He has already done everything that needed to be done to fulfill God’s requirements. All we must do is come to Him in childlike faith, yoking ourselves to Him.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30)

Praise God for sending His Son, Jesus, to be the Way! I pray we all rest in His easy yoke today.

In Christ, the very precious Way,
Ali

And He Shall Be Called Series Intro

January 6, 2022 by Jaime Hilton Leave a Comment

What child is this? As we pack up our Christmas decorations and turn our eyes to what the new year brings, it’s worth remembering that the baby in the manger did not stay a baby. He grew in wisdom and stature to be a teacher and shepherd who brought the kingdom of heaven to earth, fulfilling the Law and Prophets. A suffering servant who humbly and innocently took on the sin of the world in order to make a way for us to live in a restored relationship with God. A king who defeated death and bought our freedom.

In December we celebrate the birth of the Messiah, the one they named Jesus, “for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

Let’s start the year reflecting on the name that is above all names, Jesus, who is the same, yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11

Teachers: Lead Me To Jesus

October 10, 2021 by Jaime Hilton Leave a Comment

“Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a stricter judgment.” (James 3:1, CSB)

Teaching is a difficult job. Teachers come in all shapes and sizes and disguises. They could be an educator, a parent, a family member, a peer, a neighbor – anyone who can take an idea or skill and break it down into digestible parts so another human being can take it in where it can grow and bear fruit in their life. Like I said, teaching is not an easy thing to do!

This month on the blog we’re thinking about teachers. The people who came into our lives and left a mark that leads us to Jesus, the Master Teacher.

Ms. Webster

I am blessed to know many wonderful teachers. At every stage in my life, there have been people who have invested in my growth and led me to seek Jesus.

One such person was Ms. Webster, who taught my daughter’s first-grade class at a University Model School. At a UM school, students are with a teacher three days a week and home with a parent the other two. Sort of a cross between homeschool and private school. Ms. Webster had a way of putting Jesus at the center of everything. When I came to her crying because I couldn’t figure out how to explain a math concept, she came alongside me, encouraging and empowering me in my role as Brooklyn’s teacher.

She wore her authority and knowledge with humility, inviting me into the process and making it possible for me to follow her example.

Jesus, Model Teacher

Luke 6:17-49 records the great teachings of Jesus that we find in Matthew 5-7, the Sermon on the Mount.

In the context of his instruction to be careful about judging others, “He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.”

Teachers wear a heavy responsibility. Whether it’s their profession, a position they volunteered for, or the natural fit of the relationship, teachers serve as models who can lead to Jesus or away from Him. I am grateful for the teachers in my life who have shown me how to be more like Jesus and I hope I can do the same for the students I encounter.

What teachers have influenced your walk with Jesus? Share in the comments or on the Community Facebook Page!

Who Are You, Lord? Series Intro

July 6, 2021 by Jaime Hilton 1 Comment

Possibly one of the most miraculous things about God is that He works through people. While He is more than capable of handling everything, He delights in our participation and allows imperfect people to do the work that needs to be done. Even the Bible, the revelation of His character and purpose to us is a gift inspired by the Holy Spirit but written, preserved, and translated by humans! I call it miraculous because people are so very messy. We have no shortage of faults and failings. It’s humbling and awesome to read the stories in Scripture, to see His hand guiding, and to know He is still working through us today.

Saul, Saul…

One such example is found in the book of Acts when God chose a certain man to take the gospel to the Gentiles. The man he chose was Saul, or in Greek, Paul. This man’s identity was thoroughly grounded in being Jewish, so much so that he took part in persecuting the early church. He purposefully sought out people who believed and followed Jesus of Nazareth so he could violently punish and imprison them for blasphemy (Acts 8:3). In his letter to the Philippians, he describes himself as being, “…circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless” (3:5-6). In other words, though raised in an important Roman city, among Hellenized (Greek-speaking) Jews, Paul was an observant Jew who spoke Aramaic and studied the Law under the best teachers in Jerusalem.

Yet despite this impressive and comfortable identity, Paul goes on in his letter to say, “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:7-8).

How did Saul, zealous persecutor of Christians, come to know Christ Jesus as Lord?

Why Are You Persecuting Me?

In Acts 9:1-9 we read the story of Saul’s encounter with the risen Jesus.

“But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.”

I can’t help but imagine what those three days without sight may have been like. Did he recall the prophet Jonah, swallowed and saved in the belly of a fish so he could take God’s message of redemption to the Ninevites? Maybe. Paul was a very good student who loved the Law. I imagine him going over every word he’d memorized from the Torah, but in his blindness seeing it with the fresh eyes of the Spirit.

The Lord sent Ananias, a disciple, to heal him, sharing that Saul of Tarsus would bring the gospel to the Gentiles (v. 15). The story continues with Paul regaining his sight, being baptized, “and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God’” (v. 19-20).

Who Are You, Lord?

Paul had a strong foundational understanding of God thanks to his upbringing in Hebrew culture. He knew who God was. Once he understood that Jesus is the Messiah, the pieces of God’s redemptive plan, his character of mercy and the gift of grace clicked into place. From that point on Paul’s identity was not in anything he achieved but in knowing Jesus Christ.

All this month on the blog we’ll be studying the greetings in Paul’s letters to get an idea of what he thought and who he understood Jesus to be.

“Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things” (Ephesians 3:7-9)

I hope you’ll join us!

Sent with the Cross

September 8, 2020 by Jaime Hilton Leave a Comment

All this month on the blog we’re exploring what missional living looks like for us individually. As Cheli reminded us in the series introduction, “missional living” means “following Jesus and doing what he calls us to do”. Which leads us to the question, what does it look like to follow Jesus?

The Cross is Our Example

Typically when I think about being sent or living on mission, and what God uses to equip us, my first thought is the armor laid out in Ephesians 6:11-18. These tools – a sword of truth, a shield of faith, shoes made up of the gospel of peace -make sense and certainly have their use in how we carry out our calling.

Yet, when Jesus calls the people, he says,

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)

The cross? Really? The cross was an instrument of death and those being executed were forced to carry it to the place they were to die. It was an excruciating experience as those condemned faced a long, difficult walk through ridicule and shame. Now it is a symbol of God’s love, representing our atonement. In it, we see a symbol of the forgiveness of sin so we can stand before Him, justified.

“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God,” – 1 Corinthians 1:18

It is exactly this upside-down idea that characterizes the Kingdom of God A kingdom where the poor are blessed (Matthew 5:3), greatness is achieved through servitude (Mark 10:43-45), and life is found through death (Luke 9:24).

Jesus’ death on the cross gave us more than freedom from sin. In His obedience, He set an example for us to follow. In taking up our cross, we can make missional living a reality.

Jesus said, 'Take up your cross and follow me.' #MissionalLivingClick To Tweet

What Missional Living Looks Like

Jesus shows us that missional living is humble, valuing others over yourself. It recognizes that if Christ, the king of the universe, can lower himself to be human and to be executed by humans, we too can get on our knees to reach those who are less fortunate than ourselves.

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2: 5-8

It is sacrificial, not only considering others as worthy but giving up your interests in favor of others. Putting someone else’s needs ahead of your own.

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

It is marked by grace and peace, the fruit of our redemption. A missional life seeks reconciliation.

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.” – Ephesians 2:13 – 16

The cross is the ultimate expression of love and therefore the chief characteristic of a missional life.

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

When we take up our cross we are dying to ourself, leaving room for Jesus to reign.

Never Alone

April 23, 2020 by Jennifer Hong 1 Comment

In the early days of this pandemic, I was preoccupied with the word, “alone.” My heart grieved reading the stories of patients who were critically-ill without the comforting presence of family. Fears of my own loved ones being similarly sick and separated from me disrupted my sleep. As my husband and I discussed plans for his isolation from the rest of the family if he contracted the virus while caring for patients, I broke down crying. “I am so afraid of you getting sick and being alone.”

The moment I said it out loud, I knew the word “alone” masked the truth. As Believers, we are never alone.

God with Us

It is a beautiful thing as the Body of Christ to be the hands and feet of Jesus, attending to the comfort and physical needs of one another. But even when we cannot reach one another, in our quietest, most solitary of times, Christ Himself is present with us. We are never alone.

Matthew begins and ends his Gospel with the assurance that Christ is “God with us.”

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel,” (which means, God with us).
(Matthew 1:23)

“And behold, I am with you always to the end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:20)

The presence of the Lord with His people is central to the story of the Bible — from the intimacy of the Garden of Eden to the presence of the Lord in the Temple among the Israelite’s, from the physical incarnation of Christ to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, God is with us.

King David knew the closeness of the Lord in seasons of heartache. He wrote, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

Similarly, Jesus taught “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:2-4)

Weathering the Storm

A thoughtful message by an unknown author was recently shared on social media recognizing that, while we are all in the storm of this pandemic together, we are not all “in the same boat.” Our individual experiences differ greatly. For some, the pandemic has meant painful loneliness. For others, it is too much togetherness. It has brought financial insecurity, the loss of a job, or hunger to many. This pandemic has meant severe illness for many patients, and exhausting, high-risk work for health care workers. And for many families, it has meant the loss of loved ones and the grief that follows.

While each of us may be weathering this storm “in a different boat,” Christ walks out across the stormy waters towards every one of us.

“But the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”… And when [Jesus and Peter] got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
(Matthew 14:24-27, 32-33)

Your pandemic-weathering boat may be crowded right now, with family juggling both work and school in the same space every day. Or you may be alone in your boat, weathering trials your neighbors know nothing about. Regardless of your unique burdens in this storm, know that Jesus is walking out to join you. Invite Him in.

Peace accompanies His presence.

As Jesus got into the boat, the wind ceased. The presence of Christ brings peace.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
(John 14:27)

Sometimes, the storm rages on around us. Jesus was very clear that we should expect trouble in this life — tribulation. Jesus spoke to His disciples of His peace at a time when His crucifixion was still ahead and their own trials were only beginning. However, He also assured them that He would never leave them, and that, soon, the Holy Spirit would be sent as to equip them, comfort them, and intercede on their behalf.

In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
(John 16:33b)

This month, when the news is heavy and the future uncertain, I’ve been reaching for Psalm 121 and hymns like In Christ Alone to ground myself in truth. I am not alone. Not one of His children is alone, today or any day ahead.

Take heart, we are not alone.

The Candy Cane: A Symbol of Christmas

December 10, 2019 by Jaime Hilton Leave a Comment

Mmmm, peppermint!

Peppermint mocha, mint chocolate cookies, peppermint bark, hot cocoa with peppermint…like pumpkin spice in the fall, the flavor that most reminds me of Christmas is peppermint! Add a little peppermint to just about anything and it’s transformed into a wintry treat! Even the colors of the classic sugar stick have become iconic of the season that celebrates Immanuel.

This month we are looking at the symbols of Christmas and how they can point us to Biblical truth. Some symbols are everyday objects that we attach meaning to. Others have grown out of non-Christian celebrations and been borrowed and reclaimed because “the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1). Some, like the candy cane, may have been created with the specific purpose of teaching children the real reason for the season.

Origins of the Candy Cane

Did you know there is an entire website dedicated to the history of candy? I shouldn’t be surprised. I love history and knowing where things came from. Especially things that are so commonplace you feel like they’ve always just been.

According to tradition, candy canes have been around since the early 1600’s when a German choir master gave his young choir sugar candy sticks (usually straight) fashioned with a crook to both keep them quiet during the long Christmas Eve service and remind them of the shepherds who came to visit the baby Jesus in the manger.

Over time the tradition and candy evolved into the red and white striped peppermint hooks we know and love today (you can read about it here)

Meaning

Whether they were invented with a specifically Christian purpose or not, there are many ways the candy cane serves as a symbol of Jesus.

My favorite summary of the meaning comes from The Candymaker’s Gift by Halen Haidle

The hard candy reminds us that Jesus is the Rock.

“This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:11-12

The white color represents the sinless life Jesus lived, making him the perfect (and only!) acceptable sacrifice for our sin.

”You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.”1 John 3:5

The red stripes are a symbol of the blood he shed on the cross and the wounds he endured on the cross.

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24

Even the peppermint flavor can remind us of the spices given by the Wise Men (or used at his burial).

“And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11

“Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.” John 19:39-40

Finally, the shape of the candy cane, a shepherd’s crook, does tell us the story of the shepherds, the first to hear the good news (Luke 2:8-20). But even more importantly, the candy cane reminds us what kind of savior God sent to save the world. He did not come as the king or the warrior, with power and majesty like everyone expected. He came as the shepherd, to lay down his life for us, his sheep (John 10:11)

“But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.”

Isaiah 53:5-7

Jesus, King of Kings – Mark 14:42-72, John 18, Mark 15

March 27, 2018 by Alyssa Howard 1 Comment

As you read Days 34-36 from our Lent Reading plan (40 Days with Jesus), what stands out the most to you and why?

As a little girl, I envisioned the day that I would one day get married and have children. And let me the first to say, nothing turned out the way I pictured it… (I am so glad it didn’t!) While my childhood dreams were based on fairy tales and happily ever afters, reality is often a bit messier. I have now been married for nearly 8 years and have two beautiful daughters, and living through the ups and downs has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my life. It all happened as it should… the way God intended it to be.

The Jewish people had long awaited their Messiah. They had a picture in their minds of what He would look like and accomplish for their people. They sought after a physical king who would free them from the Roman oppression they were currently enduring. And in the end, the Jewish people would be a great and mighty kingdom, greater than any kingdom that had ever ruled the known earth.

But Jesus was nothing like they pictured.

I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. – Daniel 7:13-14 (ESV)

As we read through the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion, it can be difficult to see the King described in Daniel 7:13-14. Through physical eyes, Jesus was simply an ordinary man. He was no king. But the truth of Jesus victory on the cross and His kingship cannot be seen through physical eyes. And this is made clear through Jesus’ final words leading up to His death.

Mark 14:42-72

“Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” – Mark 14:49 (ESV)

Many aspects of Jesus’ ministry, betrayal, arrest, and ultimately His crucifixion don’t make sense. Judas, one of His disciples would betray Him. Though without sin, Jesus was condemned to die a criminal’s death. And the Jewish people who loved Him and welcomed Him into Jerusalem just days earlier (Mark 11:8-11) now despised Him and wanted Him to die. Why? Why did the events of His life unfold in such a manner?

Jesus answers this very question in today’s reading. The Old Testament told of Jesus’ death and resurrection. It gave details concerning His life and ministry, His death and resurrection, and the victorious impact this would have on mankind as Jesus established His Kingdom as our eternal King. “But let the Scriptures be fulfilled...”

John 18

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” – John 18:36 (ESV)

Jesus’ mission couldn’t be seen with physical eyes because only those with ears to hear and eyes to see could know the truth. You see, Jesus was fulfilling prophecy before their very eyes… prophecy that the Jewish leaders knew VERY well. Yet, they missed it. They couldn’t see the truth because they were spiritually blind. Jesus tells us twice in verse 36 that His kingdom is not of this world. He was about ready to do the most impacting, life-altering thing in history… atone for the sins of mankind, defeat sin and death once and for all, and establish Himself as King of kings and Lord of lords for all eternity. While the world saw an ordinary man claiming to be a king, those who could spiritually see the truth knew Him as the Son of God who would save the world and reign as King of kings for all eternity.

Mark 15

And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” – Mark 15:38-39 (ESV)

Truly Jesus is the Son of God! The events leading up to and surrounding Jesus’ death and resurrection were nothing short of miraculous, to say the least. When Jesus died, the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Spiritually, life would never be the same. His defeat of sin and death would mean that we could now dwell in the presence of our Father for all eternity.

While the world sees an ordinary man, those who can spiritually see the truth know Him as King Jesus.

For more discussion, join in with our DoNotDepart Facebook community.

Catch up on all our articles here on our reading passages for Lent.

Jesus, The Great Teacher – Learning from John 12, Mark 12-13

March 16, 2018 by Ali Shaw 1 Comment

Today, in our Lent Reading plan (40 Days with Jesus) we’re looking at truths that Jesus, the Great Teacher, lays before us in John 12, and Mark 12-13.

John 12

In John chapter 12, we find Jesus six days before the Passover feast. We hear of his anointing by mary of Bethany, and find that the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus. So many had heard of his resurrection and then believed in Jesus! We read about the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem (which we also covered earlier this week in Mark 11)

After Jesus enters Jerusalem, he continues to teach.

Jesus teaches what type of death he would suffer: “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” (John 12:32)
He teaches us to walk in the light: “‘While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.’ When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them.” (John 12:36)
And He teaches that believing in and seeing Him is believing and seeing in the One who sent Him: And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.” (John 12:44-45)
Christ also teaches us that He is the light of the world: “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” (John 12:46)

He is our light and our salvation!

Oh, Jesus! Thank you for suffering on a cross for us, that we might walk in your light, and know you personally! How humbling is your awesome, sacrificial love! Will you strengthen us, precious Lord, to share your light with those around us who may walk in darkness? Help us use our lives to point the way to Christ. Amen!

Mark 12

As Jesus goes about His ministry in Jerusalem, he teaches that he is the rejected stone prophesied about in Psalm 118:22-23, which Jesus quotes in verses ten and eleven of this chapter.

Yes, our precious Savior was rejected by His own people. Though heartbreaking, it was “marvelous in our eyes” because it was God used this as part of His plan to take the Gospel to the nations of the world.

Have you not read this Scripture:

“‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
this was the Lord’s doing,
and it is marvelous in our eyes’?” (Mark 12:10-11)

Later in Mark 12, when a scribe asks Jesus what the most important commandment is, Jesus answers him by teaching the “Great Commandment:”

Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31)

The words in the first two verses of the Great Commandment are part of the Shema´, a prayer from Deuteronomy 6:4-5 recited twice daily by any devout Jew. The words would have been as familiar as one’s own name! The emphasis on these verses, and on this prayer alike, is faith. The emphasis on the remaining verse in the Great Commandment is on the action of loving our neighbor.

Christ shows us: as Christians, we have a duty to both God and man.

Mark 13

In Chapter 13 of Mark, Jesus teaches about the future. Many of the disciples had confused understanding about the destruction of Jerusalem (which was coming soon) with the end times (of which no one knows the hour). Jesus gave Peter, Andrew, James, and John (see verse 3) instruction on both events.

At this time in history, the Jews were under Roman control and the people hoped for a Messiah who would bring them military victory. One that would ride in, powerfully wielding his military might, not meekly on a donkey! But as the Jews rebelled against Rome, their demise came much quicker than imagined, and only about 40 years after Jesus shared this teaching.

“Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” (Mark 13:35-37)

Like Jesus warned, we too must stay awake and on alert! Whether if it’s for end times or meeting Jesus face to face, we don’t want to find ourselves not ready.

It’s easy for us to look at life through temporal eyes that don’t see the big picture. We can even be afraid of things to come. But thankfully, no matter what comes our way, our teacher Jesus is aslo our helper, Savior, and great refuge!

What has God shown you through Jesus’ teaching in the chapters? Please share here in the comments, or over in our FB discussion group.

Ali

A True Gift – The Presence of Jesus

December 11, 2017 by Ali Shaw Leave a Comment

My sweet little grandson, just two months old, is a fresh reminder of the fragility of mankind and the great innocence of an infant. It is truly a miracle that Jesus entered the world as a tiny baby. His coming, His presence, is a true gift!

As I sit and write this, an instrumental version of Silent Night plays behind me. It sounds like something from a movie score and my heart is so moved by it. Music has that ability, doesn’t it?

But what moves my heart, truly, is the subject of this song. My sweet, sweet Savior came to earth in the form of a human baby. A baby! A precious infant who grew into a man, rejected and despised by many, and gave His life for this world He dearly loves so that any who believe in Him may have salvation. (Luke 2:10-11, Isaiah 53:3, John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10)

One of my favorite lines from another Christmas carol, O Holy Night (which Lindsey Bell wrote about here), is this: “A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices!” That line makes me think of all the Old Testament prophecy that was spoken regarding Jesus and waited so long to be fulfilled. How people must have hungered for Him!

It’s a profound blessing to live this side of the cross and walk in the fulfilled promise. We serve a Savior who came as a baby, died on the cross, yet rose again and still lives. For those of us who’ve accepted Him, He comes to make His abode in our hearts. (Need to read that one more time? I do!)

Friends, this man who came in human flesh to be present in this sinful world gave us His Spirit. He is present with us. Deep heart-knowledge of this makes me want to fall on my knees in humble adoration!

Joy to the World, the Lord is Come!

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11)

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

What joy! Because Jesus walked this earth and gave His life, three things are different for me:

Jesus came to change our past, present, and future. What joy! #ChristmasPresence

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My Past. Without this sweet, holy infant, there would be no forgiveness of sins, leading to salvation. My past would still linger and my sins and guilt would be piled high. With Him, my sins are washed away and cast to the ocean floor, and I can take on His righteousness. I’m so thankful to live free of this burden! (Isaiah 1:18, Micah 7:19, 2 Corinthians 5:21)
My Present. Without Jesus, today would have no direction, no hope, no help, no continuing forgiveness, no comfort from the Spirit. Because of Him, I have no need to fear. I have guidance, hope, peace, and comforting companionship. (Psalm 27:1, John 8:12, 1 Timothy 1:1, Isaiah 9:6, John 14:16-17)
My Future. Without my Savior, my future would be bleak – my tomorrow and my eternity. By accepting His gift of salvation, I’m promised hope and help tomorrow and after, and an eternity with Him. I’m promised living water that wells up to eternal life! Though today may seem weary and bleak (some days do, don’t they?), I can always rejoice in Him. (1 Peter 1:3-6, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, John 4:13-14, Philippians 4:4)

And as a special little Christmas gift for you, here’s a printable list of all the verses mentioned in this post. Just click to download, then print!
Christmas Presence Verses

I pray, friends, that as you focus on the presence of Jesus this Christmas, you will be blessed by knowing that He came to change your past, your present, and your future! And this message is not only for ourselves– a dark and weary world needs to know of Jesus. I pray that your rejoicing would lead to opportunities to share His light and beauty with others.

The presence of Jesus is a true gift!

Ali

The presence of Jesus is a true gift! #ChristmasPresence

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God is Our Hope

September 8, 2016 by Ali Shaw 3 Comments

If someone asked you to explain what Biblical hope is, would you have a ready answer? After all, what does hope mean?

In English, the current definition of the noun hope is, “the feeling of desire for a certain thing to happen.” For its use as a verb, hope means “wanting a certain thing to happen.”

For some reason, to explain what hope is not, I’ve often imagined a farmer, looking at his dry, dusty fields, shaking his head in despair and saying, “I sure hope it’ll rain.” And what he means is, “I sure want it to rain, but I know it isn’t likely.”

In the Bible, we never read of hope with that definition. It’s not wishy-washy, or desirous of the unlikely. Instead, hope is a confident belief and expectation in the truths and promises of God. Hope always has a positive connotation.

(In the past, I’ve looked into the etymology of the word hope and found that some believe that there is a connection to the word “hop.” I love the thought of my heart hopping toward God, my refuge, in eager expectation and joyful trust!)

God is Our Hope. Why can we say this? And what does this mean to us as Believers? Read at DoNotDepart.com

With that understanding of Biblical hope, the Bible has much to say about God Himself being our hope.

For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. Psalm 71:5

“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. Psalm 39:7

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. Psalm 43:5

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:24

And why specifically is God our hope? And what does this mean to us as Believers?

He is our hope because of His power.
- His power means He can perform what He says.
- Our hope is founded on His ability.
He is our hope because of His provision.
- His provision means He will provide for us with His best for our eternal good.
- Our hope founded on His loving care.
He is our hope because of His promise.
- His promise means that His word is good.
- Our hope is founded on His trustworthiness.
He is our hope because of His person.
- His person is such that He is merciful, forgiving, faithful, good, and righteous.
- Our hope is founded on His character.

He can overcome with His power. He can heal.

He can provide when there is no earthly way. He will make a way!

He can fulfill the promise that seems to good to be true. Grace? Strength? Wisdom? The hope of Heaven? Given!

He can do all that He has said in His word and more. Need forgiveness? or Reassurance? or To better understand His loving, sacrificial character? It’s in His word.

As women armed with this knowledge, we can be like Samuel’s mother, Hannah, who after pouring her heart out to the Lord in petition,

“went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.” (1 Samuel 1:18 b)

Like her, we also can hope confidently in God’s power and ability to provide His best for us. We can rest in His trustworthiness and His good nature. We can leave all our concerns with the God of our hope, and with His Son Jesus who, logically (since He is the second person of the trinity), is also our hope. We can stand in hope– firmly planted in our God and Savior!

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, 1 Timothy 1:1

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:9-10

Yes, our hope (our confident belief and expectation in the truths and promises of God) is safe and has a firm foundation because God is who He says He is and all of His promises are true. That’s something we can count on!

What does it mean to you that God is your hope? Tell us in the comments!

Ali

God is Our Hope. Why can we say this? What does this mean to Believers? Read more…

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An Understanding High Priest

July 7, 2016 by Ali Shaw 4 Comments

In 2002, I was about 32 weeks pregnant with my sweet daughter Alainah and went to the hospital because she’d stopped moving.

She’d passed away in the womb sometime earlier that day… before I ever got to meet her and gaze into her eyes. I never got to witness the recognition on her face upon hearing my voice. I never got to feel her sweet infant hand grasp my finger, or feel the wiggle of her precious, tiny body as she lay in my arms.

The days and months (even years) after were hard.

Shortly before Alainah was born, we had moved and started a new church. A friend I’d recently met called shortly after I got back home from the hospital and shared her story with me. She’d been through something very similar. She lost her precious son shortly after his much too early birth.

She could empathize with me like few others could. She’d walked that difficult road of grief and loss and was still maneuvering through the rough path. She knew how to pray for me. She knew what I needed and what I didn’t need. She understood when my words failed. She shared my heartache.

She’d also already wrestled with the deep theological questions that lie behind this sort of loss. It was as if she held a small candle, a glimmer of light, and let me follow silently behind her in the paths she’d already beaten down. She was such a help and encouragement to me!

I remember telling her often that I was so sorry that she’d been through such loss, but I was also so thankful that her pain could be used to help me through mine.

“For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.” – Hebrews 5:1-2

The Jewish High Priests were a bit like my friend. Bear with me while I explain my imperfect analogy.

Jesus As High Priest... An Understanding High Priest... Read more and study Hebrews 5 at DoNotDepart.com

Who was a High Priest?
God chose the descendants of Aaron (Moses’ brother) to be the priests of Israel. (See Exodus 28:1) A successor to Aaron was always chosen to be the High (or chief) Priest.

Here’s some information on the High Priest for you from the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia:

“There were certain duties which were peculiar to the high priest. He alone could wear the “garments for glory and for beauty.” To him alone it pertained to enter the Most Holy Place and to sprinkle the blood of the sin offering on the mercy-seat. To him alone it pertained to represent the congregation before the Lord as mediator, and to receive the divine communications. He was to be ceremonially pure and holy. He must be physically perfect… …Nor was he to come in contact with death. He must not rend his clothes, nor defile himself, even for his father or his mother (Leviticus 21:10, 11). His sons might defile themselves for their kin, but the high priest must not. For he was the representative of life. Death did not exist for him, in so far as he was a priest. God is the Ever-Living, the Life-Giving; and His priest, who had “the crown of the anointing oil of his God upon him,” had to do with life alone.”

I bet you’re beginning to see how Jesus was our great High Priest.

But how was a High Priest anything like my friend? Well, look again to Hebrews 5:2.

The weakness of the High Priest
The High Priest was weak, because he was still a man. He’d been down the road of temptation, hardship, grief, struggle… you name it! He was a real person with real struggles, even real sin. But because of His weaknesses, he could deal gently with the wayward and ignorant. He could have compassion when he might otherwise not. He could be empathetic because he understood.

Because my friend had walked through what I had, she could identify with the struggles of grief and lend me her wisdom and strength. (I know it’s not a perfect analogy, but I’m sure you get my meaning…) Similarity breeds understanding.

The Strength of Jesus
We’ll touch more on this later this month, but because Jesus walked through this life as fully human He understands. Yet because He also walked this earth fully God, He isn’t weak, but rather, He’s stong! He deals with us gently because of His love and empathy, and yet, lends us His wisdom and strength. His compassionate grace is empowering.

When I’m dealing with sin, frustration, or heartache, it does my heart good to know that the God I serve understands. And not only does He understand, He dealt with temptations and came out victorious… and He lets me share in His victory. And you, too. Wow! We are more than conquerors!

Doesn’t that make all the difference?

Praise His holy name for His great compassion and everlasting love!

Action Steps:

1. In what areas are you most thankful for Jesus’ compassionate, empathetic gentleness?

2. Get a notebook and by the end of the month aim to write out Hebrews Chapter 5. Underline any words or phrases that stand out to you. Perhaps try memorizing a few key verses.

3. Study more about the Priesthood and the High Priest. You can use any Bible encyclopedia or dictionary. Here’s a great place to get started: http://biblehub.com/topical/p/priest.htm

Jesus was fully human, so He understands our walk and lends us wisdom and strength. #JesusAsHighPriest

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Why is Jesus called the High Priest? How can that truth strengthen and comfort you? #JesusAsHighPriest

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Our Valued Savior: Despised and Rejected

March 3, 2016 by Ali Shaw 3 Comments

1Who has believed what he has heard from us?
And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
and no beauty that we should desire him.
3He was despised and rejected by men;
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isa 53:1-3)

He was despised and rejected by men. It’s hard to believe that something so valuable could go unesteemed. It’s bewildering to see preciousness rejected.

One morning many years ago I was cleaning my cutting board after making biscuits. I scraped all the bits of flour and dough into the trash. One bit of flour was stuck to the inside of my hand. Without looking, I pressed harder and rolled my thumb against the hardened flour in attempts to pry it off.

It wouldn’t budge.

I looked at my hand in hurried frustration. Why couldn’t I throw this bit of dough away? A good look revealed that it wasn’t dough at all.

My wedding ring had twisted around to face the palm of my hand, and I was feeling the diamonds. I was trying to throw my beloved diamond in the trash as if it were just scraps of unwanted biscuit dough.

How many times have I done similarly in my life? How many times have I taken the precious and overlooked it? Rejected it? Or even despised it? How many times has the beautiful, the sacred, the holy, gone unnoticed or unesteemed?

Or, how many times has God given me a gift but I missed it because I was looking for something wrapped in a different package?

I can’t understand how our Savior would come to earth in such a humbled state. It’s hard to wrap my human mind around it. Why didn’t our powerful God come as Mighty King and demand the respect, honor, and adoration He deserved. (Answer: Because He doesn’t force, He offers.)

But he didn’t. He came quietly, demanding nothing. He came like a “young plant”, growing up before the Lord. Tiny, frail, and fragile.

My mind is completely befuddled by this.

Yours?

My heart breaks for my precious Savior that came from Heaven to rescue His lost sheep and instead of being greeted with open arms was met with angry fists, hammer, and nails.

Our Valued Savior was “despised and rejected by men.” The Beautiful One went undesired.

Truly, I have few words.

Reading from these first few verses in Isaiah make me turn inward and upward. They make me focus on the Savior, Jesus, who came in the form of a servant. And I look into my own heart to make sure I have no traces of rejection… that I’m esteeming Christ as He deserves to be esteemed. That I place value on the gifts, mercy, forgiveness, and hope He gives so freely as an expression of His character and love. (After all, if I don’t esteem them, I’m not truly esteeming Him.)

Though these verses are heavy and sad, we can take heart because, as Believers, we know that things didn’t end sorrowfully. We know the miracle, power, and joy of a Risen Savior! (Luke 24:5-6)

Lord, help me to focus on You. Help my heart respond to your coming in adoration and praise. Let me rejoice in you, Living Savior! Revive my soul in any areas that have become deadened to the mystery and miracle of the Easter story— the story in the Bible, and the story of resurrection in my own life. You’ve raised this sinner to walk in newness of life. Help me never take that for granted, but to look at that miracle with childlike wonder, appreciation, and gratitude. Amen.

For more study and reflection:

Read Isa 53:1-3. What specifically does Isaiah prophesy in these verses about Jesus? Using a cross-reference Bible, can you find their fulfillment in the Gospels?
Read Isa 53:1-3. Are there any areas of your life where you need to pray, “Lord, help me esteem you better in this?”
Read Luke 22:63-65. What specific things did the men do to Jesus? Read Luke 23:34. Thank God for His forgiveness and love! Ask Him to show you any areas in your life where you need His forgiveness and renewal.

Our Valued Savior: Despised and Rejected. Are you esteeming Him today? #EasterInTheOT

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Our Valued Savior, part one of our EasterInTheOldTestament Bible study. #EasterInTheOT

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Love Your Family with the Selfless Love of Jesus

February 4, 2016 by Ali Shaw Leave a Comment

Why does it matter to Jesus that we love one another as He loved us? (John 13:34, John 15:12)

Jesus desires that we be like Him. But the end result isn’t only our own sanctification; He wants us to be like Him to grow His body.

God is a God of relationships.

After all, he exists as Father, Son, and Spirit… The Holy One exists as three persons… That’s relationship. He shows us from the core of His character that He values relationships and wants us to value them, too.

Jesus always made time for people: to listen to concerns, heal the sick, comfort the mourning, teach the curious, and even to admonish the hardhearted. He made time.

He was selfless.

In both Matt 14:13-16, and Mark 6:31-37, Jesus had just been told the news of John the Baptist’s beheading. Jesus sought time alone to grieve and time to rest with His disciples. Instead, He was followed by crowds who were hungry for His attention, His teaching, His miracles, and even hungry for food.

So, He stopped to meet the crowd’s needs and modeled selflessness to His disciples. He taught that even when we’re tired, grieving, when life has demanded our attention, or distraction has taken over our minds, we must keep focus on the things that matter most. Loving others.

A Good Question to Ask: What matters most?

Sometimes, I really have to stop and ask myself if I’m being selfless with those He’s placed in my life. Too often, the answer is no. (I have a lot of growing to do before I can claim that I’m like Jesus.)

Do you struggle with selflessness, too? If so, how do we overcome it?

Honestly, I’m not sure we ever completely will. Until our last day on this earth, we’ll be fighting our sin nature. But, rather than give up hope, we need to fight against sin and take up the weapons God has given us to do it.   Love is a powerful weapon. Selfless love is what drove Jesus to feed those hungry crowds, die for us, and redeem our lives from the pit.

Selfless love for my family asks, “What matters most?”, and puts their needs above my selfish tendencies.

Selfless love…

gets my little one a glass of milk, even when I’m in the middle of an intricate crochet project
helps me stay up late to greet my oldest as she comes home from work, even when I’m exhausted
reminds me to put a smile on my face when my husband comes in after his long commute, even if I’ve had a bad day
says it’s ok to have that bad day and let it go— no need to burden others with what I can handle myself
keeps my mouth shut when my teen really just needs me to just be a good listener
encourages me to pamper my sick and miserable child, even when I have the same virus

You get the idea.

And, yay! for those moments of victory! But there are too many times when, with my actions, I’ve said, “I don’t feel selfless right now. Sorry, not sorry.”

There are times when I don’t get off the couch, don’t put down my phone, don’t stay up and wait, don’t keep my mouth shut, complain instead of smile, and whine selfishly when I’m sick. (And worse, I’m sure!)   But, those moments aren’t Kingdom-building. They don’t convey the importance Jesus puts on relationships. They don’t say, “I value you above myself!” (Phil 2:3)

Those failed opportunities don’t teach my children what selfless love looks like so they can show it to the world. They certainly don’t edify my husband or myself.

The Remedy

What’s the remedy? It’s super simple, but so hard to do… the answer of course, is to keep doing love. (That’s what Jesus did!)

It comes down to the heart and discipline. We must pray for God to root out all selfishness in our hearts, then pray for the discipline to actively practice loving one another. It’s definitely a lifelong learning process, and even though (like I mentioned before) we may never love one another perfectly, God has promised us His help. It’s our duty to pursue it and place the utmost importance on it.

And He will help us to love one another well.

What does selfless love look like in your home? Do you struggle with loving selflessly like Jesus?  What helps you overcome?

What matters most? Learning to love your family selflessly. Like Jesus does. #LoveOneAnother

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What does selfless love look like? Jesus shows the answer… #LoveOneAnother

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God With Us – It Makes All The Difference

December 15, 2015 by Lindsey 2 Comments

Tragedy doesn’t care about the time of year, does it?

Just last night, as I was thinking about how I wanted to approach this post, I heard news of a young woman who was life-flighted to the hospital because of a brain bleed. She’s four and a half months pregnant and in her twenties.

You don’t have to search very long on the Internet to read plenty of stories about heartbreak, crime, terrorism, murder, or a variety of other terrible situations.

Tragedy doesn’t care that Christmas is right around the corner. It doesn’t care that this time of year is supposed to be about celebrating, not worrying or grieving.

Tragedy can strike anytime, day or night. And many times, it leaves us feeling helpless.

The truth is, though, we aren’t helpless. There is always something we can do when tragedy strikes those we love.

We can BE THERE.

When my husband and I were grieving each of our miscarriages, I had various friends and family show up at our home to be with us. They didn’t offer pat Christian answers to the questions of suffering. Sometimes they said very little at all.

But what they did was huge. Just by showing up, they made an impact on us.

That’s one of the reasons I love the prophecy from Isaiah 7:14.

Here’s what it says:

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

The word Immanuel, as Matthew 1:23 tells us, means “God with us,” so what Isaiah prophecied in Isaiah 7 was that when Jesus came, he would be “God with us.”

As Christmas nears, let us remember this very special gift.

God didn’t have to do it the way He did. I’m certain He could have easily come up with another plan to bring the world to salvation.

He didn’t have to come down to this earth and be with us.

But He did.

He chose to be “God with us” because He knew that was what we would need most.

In a world that sometimes seems as if it’s spinning out of control, we can know we’re not alone. God is with us.

In a season of busyness where people often fail to slow down long enough to say hello, we can know we’re not alone. God is with us.

In a technology-saturated country where people sometimes fail to look up from their cell phones when we’re trying to talk to them, we can know we’re not alone. God is with us.

“Immanuel” – God with us – changes everything.

This holiday season, don’t rush around so much that you fail to spend time with the God who gave it all just to be with you.

And this holiday season, don’t be so busy that you fail to BE WITH the people who matter most to you.

Just as God was with us…may your holiday season be a time of being with those you love.

As a reminder of the special gift of “God with us,” we’ve created some printable art for you. Please print off this artwork to display wherever and however you’d like.

God With Us Printable

Merry Christmas!

God With Us – Why That Changes Everything via @LindseyMBell #JesusInTheOT

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Free Christmas Printable via @LindseyMBell #JesusInTheOT

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God With Us Printable Artwork via @LindseyMBell #JesusInTheOT

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Where does Jesus live? Then and now

December 10, 2015 by Lisa Burgess 22 Comments

GOD BESIDE US

From the beginning, walking in the garden of Eden with Adam and Eve, God wanted to live among His people.

But we know the story: our sin and His holiness created a gap in our relationship (Genesis 3:8).

It was temporarily patched during the time of Moses by God’s bold move to allow His presence to travel alongside His people through a special box, the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:8-22).

[Side note for us word geeks . . . “Ark” doesn’t mean boat, but rather container.

→   The “ark” of the Covenant is the Hebrew word aron, meaning chest or coffer (yes, also used for “coffin”) for holding something valuable.
→   Baby Moses was placed into an “ark” of bulrushes in the river, a different Hebrew word tebah, meaning box.
→ Noah’s “ark” is also the Hebrew word tebah, meaning box.
→   Jews today place the Torahs in their synagogues in a “holy ark” (Aaron Kodesh), a special box made to preserve its contents, facing toward Israel.

Interestingly, all these “arks” are containers that protect things. They are places of refuge.]

But what the Israelites couldn’t have known then (we can barely grasp it now), is that the symbolism of the Ark of the Covenant would one day become our reality—God living inside of us.

GOD IN A BOX?

It seems strange to us now. God in a box? The Ark was a small chest made of acacia wood, covered in purest gold. Around 4 feet tall and around 2½ feet wide, it was kept in the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle, and later in Solomon’s temple.

Its lid—called the mercy seat—was a heavy gold plate with two gold cherubim on top, facing each other, wings spread out.

God would appear in a cloud between the wings of the cherubim (Exodus 25:22).

WHAT WAS IN THE ARK…THEN AND NOW?

Three important items were inside the Ark. Can we uncover the foreshadowing of Jesus in them? And discover the living reality of them now in us? [Print this list of scriptures to study for yourself in more detail.]

1. Words

Then . . . enclosed in the ark were the two tablets of stone, the Ten Commandments. They symbolized God’s covenant with His people.
Now . . . Jesus (the Word became flesh) lives in us, the temple of the Holy Spirit.

2. Manna

Then . . . the Ark contained a gold jar of unspoiled manna to remind the Hebrews that God provided for them during their wilderness wanderings.
Now . . . we have the living Bread inside of us, again reminding us that God continues to meet our daily needs, today and forever.

3. Aaron’s rod

Then . . . Aaron’s walking stick with its miraculous buds was kept in the Ark to symbolize God’s power.
Now . . . God’s very Spirit lives on in His priesthood of believers, each one of us together who declare His praises, shining light in dark places.

WHERE DOES JESUS LIVE NOW?

No one knows for sure what happened to the physical Ark of the Covenant (despite the famous movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark). When the Babylonians plundered Solomon’s great temple in Jerusalem in 597 BC, many presume Nebuchadnezzar’s men stole the Ark. It’s presumably never been seen again, although theories continue to abound about its location.

So where is the true home of the Lord’s presence?

We know where He lives now—in His followers. Can there be any greater honor than to house the Lord’s presence in us, having Him go wherever we go, always bringing His presence to others when we show up?

May we never take this gift lightly, this privilege of being a living treasure chest of the Lord Jesus Christ.

And may we be extra mindful this Christmas to carry Jesus in us with love, joy, and peace.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20

Please print, study and pray through these fascinating stories of the Ark of the Covenant—then and now—and give thanks for the present of His presence in us.