Jesus Came...For the Sick

November 27, 2011

Mark 2:15-17

And as he sat at dinner in Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples—for there were many who followed him.  When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”  When Jesus heard this, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”

For the Sick…

Jesus got in trouble.  He got in trouble with the religious people of his day because he didn’t act the way they thought he should act.  He spent time in places they did not approve of.  He spoke and ate with people that religious people were not supposed to be seen with.  What’s more, many followed Jesus.  Jesus was setting an example that his disciples were to follow.  Jesus got in trouble because he changed the way faith was lived out by those dedicated to serving the Lord.

Jesus still does this…and he still gets in trouble.  Following Jesus changes how we look at the world.  He changes how we understand our lives.  Jesus changes how we spend our time and money.  Let’s be honest, this is not a change we particularly enjoy.  Following Jesus requires sacrifice.  Jesus was willing risk his reputation among the “religious” people in order to help the sick.  Jesus was willing to be looked down on to save the sinner.  Jesus came to give his life as a sacrifice for all of us…for every sinner.

Sacrifice isn’t easy.  Yet we are alive and able to worship today because of the sacrifice of Jesus and the faithful who followed his teaching.  Who are the sick around us?  Don’t think about the physically sick.  Think of lives gone wrong.  Think of those who need hope, love, peace, and life.  Think of those who need the reality of Jesus.  What sacrifice are we willing to make for them?  How can sacrifice and salvation shape our lives this Christmas season?

Discovering God: Week 9

November 20, 2011

Helpful Readings for the Week

-          Read Exodus 40:1-33

-          Read Exodus 40:34-38

-          Read Isaiah 42:5-9

Devotional Thoughts

Preparing to Worship (Exodus 40:1-33)

The tabernacle is ready.  At a specific time and specific place God directed Moses to set up His tabernacle.  The directions are detailed.  They are followed with reverence and awe.  Specific people dressed in specific clothes.  Every single part of this tabernacle, the preparation of it, and the worship in it had meaning.  The people expected to meet God.  They carefully prepared for this significant event.  With humble hearts and open minds they readied themselves for the glory of God.  How prepared and ready are we to worship?  What does reverence and awe look like in our lives?  How prepared are we for the presence of the Lord?

Witnessing God's Glory (Exodus 40:34-38)

When everything was ready the cloud that had guided the people settled on the tabernacle.  The glory of the Lord filled the place.  So powerful was this glory that Moses could not even get close to it.  At night fire was in the cloud.  This was a constant and visible testimony to God's presence.  The cloud of God's glory became the guide of the people.  When God moved, the people moved with Him.  All could see.  All stood as witnesses to God's glory.  All knew the presence of the Lord.   A gathering of God's people (church) is to be a place where God's presence is found, witnessed, and known.  It is a place guided by the Lord.  It is a place of dedication, awe, and inspiration.  This is God's desire.  Does this describe our church?  Are we able to see the glory of God that surrounds and fills His people?  What holds us back?  If something holds us back, what can we do to change it?

Being a "Light to the Nations" (Isaiah 42:5-9)

The call of God continued long after the people arrived in the Promised Land.  From generation to generation the people had a mission.  They were to be God's people.  God provided for them, gave them life, and kept them safe.  God has called the people to righteousness.  The people were to be a "light to the nations" or a living testimony of God's glory.  They were to care for the poor and those in need.  They were not to give glory to anyone or anything other than God.  God is always true to His people.  His people are not always true to Him.  Today we can change.  One heart rededicated to being God's person matters.  Each of us matter.  Let us be God's people.

Discovering God: Week 8

November 13, 2011

Helpful Readings for the Week

-          Read Exodus 24:9-18

-          Read Exodus 25:1-9

-          Read Exodus 24:1-8

Devotional Thoughts

On the Mountain with God (Exodus 24:9-18)

The elders and Moses went up to be with God.  In His presence they were safe as they ate and drank.  They were in relationship of the one true God.  From here God called Moses up to mountain to receive His instruction.  Moses trusted the elders to watch over the people in his absence.  On the mountain settled the glory of the Lord.  From the cloud, God called to Moses and Moses went to Him.  40 days and 40 nights Moses was with God.  The glory of the Lord was powerful.  From a distance it looked like fire devouring the mountain top.  Moses was with God in the presence of His glory.  Can we imagine such an experience?  How amazing must it have been to experience the glory of the Lord?  This was a mountain top experience.  We still have these today.  God’s glory is part of our lives.  In order for Moses to experience it he had to answer the call, climb the mountain, and wait on the Lord.  What if we were willing to do the same?

An Offering (Exodus 25:1-9)

God gave Moses instruction.  The worship Moses was able to do on the mountain would be shared with the whole of the people.  A tabernacle was to be built following very specific instructions from God.  This would be a place of worship where the presence of God would dwell among the people.  The people are given an opportunity to join in this work.  An offering is to be taken from all "whose hearts prompt them to give".  It is not a forced gift.  It is an opportunity to connect with God personally and as a community.  The people responded and the tabernacle was built.   What is your heart prompting you to do?  How willing are we to give in worship to God?

“We Will Do” (Exodus 24:1-8)

Moses told all the people what God had revealed to him.  God clearly communicated His message and His way to His people.  God still does this.  In response the people offered sacrifices.  They gave of themselves and what they had to honor God.  They voluntarily agreed to the covenant God offered them.  They promised to do what the Lord directed.  They promised to be obedient.  They chose this.  A significant moment in our salvation is making a choice.  It is saying “we will do” and aligning our life with God.  How have you made this choice?  How has your life changed because of it?

Discovering God: Week 7

November 6, 2011

Helpful Readings for the Week

-          Read Exodus 32:1-10

-          Read Exodus 32:11-35

-          Read Exodus 33:12-34:35

Devotional Thoughts

A Golden Calf (Exodus 32:1-10)

While Moses is with God on the mountain, the people God delivered, provided for, and guided got impatient and convinced Aaron to make "gods" for them.  They sacrificed their gold and jewels in order that Aaron could create a golden calf.  To this calf they turned to worship.  In the name of this calf they had a festival and a party.  They had greater faith in the "god" they made for themselves than for the God who brought them out of slavery.  God tells Moses this.  God is angry.  God gets angry.  God's wrath burned against this stiff-necked people.  Rebelling against God is not a good idea.  God does not rejoice in rebellion.  Do we have a rebellious spirit in us?  How does it come out?  How often do we choose what we know over what God is doing?

Broken Tablets (Exodus 32:11-35)

God was ready to start new with just Moses.  He was ready and able to end this Israelite experiment.  Moses interceded on the people’s behalf.  Moses was able to change God's mind.  God listens to the prayers of His people.  So Moses goes down to the people with God's law written on stone tablets in his hands.  God's called one with God’s good guidance faced a rowdy group of partiers worshipping a golden calf.  Moses felt the same anger God felt.  In his anger he broke God's tablets, he destroyed the calf and forced the people to eat the dust of it, and he called for the deaths of nearly 3000 of the worst offenders.  Rebellion comes at a price.  This rebellion cost the people their gold, the lives of their family, and their connection with God.  Without Moses interceding again they would have been wiped out.  The people made this choice.  With that choice came consequences.  What do your choices say about your relationship with God? 

A Renewed Relationship (Exodus 33:12-34:35)

Moses returns to the mountain.  There he meets God again.  The very glory of God is shown to Moses and Moses is forever changed by it.  New tablets are made.  Moses asks for forgiveness on behalf of the people.  Forgiveness is given.  God initiates a covenant relationship with His people.  He clearly states what following Him requires and what it will bring.  God has not abandoned those who rebelled against Him.  The glory of God is seen most clearly in His grace.  How have you experienced God's grace in your life?