Thursday, March 22, 2007
From AscensionNYC
Thursday in the Fourth Week of Lent
Psalm 106:6-7,19-23
Exodus 32:7-14
John 5:30-47
Upon reading the first passage in Exodus, I involuntarily flinched and thought, "This sounds pretty severe – God chastening, even threatening to destroy his people for inconstancy and lack of faith. How do I relate to this and what can I say about these verses?" The other passages in the Psalms and John also referred back to this event and didn't really offer much consolation.
It seems to be characteristic of God's people to forget Him and follow other paths. There were many "gods" the ancient Israelites chose to follow rather than the true God. In Moses' time, they made gods of silver and gold. In Jesus' day, the religious leaders claimed to know God but were blinded by their pride in being the righteous (as they supposed) children of Moses. Today, our gods are sometimes similar: careers, material possessions, popular figures or events. I say "gods" to refer to those things that distract us from, or that we substitute for God in our lives.
In Moses' time, God brought the children ofIsrael Egypt Israel
Jesus similarly performed great miracles but still they were never enough for the unbelievers of His time. In John we hear his voice trying to persuade the people to believe in Him. Although His words are direct, he emphasizes that he only desires that "ye might be saved." He doesn't presume to accuse them before the Father, but states that Moses, in whom they believe, will condemn them.
Today, we have the accumulated testimony of scripture and we, too, are asked to believe. It is not always easy in this world when we hear daily of war, injustice, disease or natural disaster. At times, we need to ask, as did the father of the child possessed by demons that Jesus healed: "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."
After considering these passages, the overriding thought that remained with me was my gratitude in knowing that I have a Savior who is a God of grace and love, not of vengeance. I have had my moments of unbelief, but gratefully remember that Christ beckons: "come unto me, and I will give you rest."
Exodus 32:7-14
John 5:30-47
Upon reading the first passage in Exodus, I involuntarily flinched and thought, "This sounds pretty severe – God chastening, even threatening to destroy his people for inconstancy and lack of faith. How do I relate to this and what can I say about these verses?" The other passages in the Psalms and John also referred back to this event and didn't really offer much consolation.
It seems to be characteristic of God's people to forget Him and follow other paths. There were many "gods" the ancient Israelites chose to follow rather than the true God. In Moses' time, they made gods of silver and gold. In Jesus' day, the religious leaders claimed to know God but were blinded by their pride in being the righteous (as they supposed) children of Moses. Today, our gods are sometimes similar: careers, material possessions, popular figures or events. I say "gods" to refer to those things that distract us from, or that we substitute for God in our lives.
In Moses' time, God brought the children of
Jesus similarly performed great miracles but still they were never enough for the unbelievers of His time. In John we hear his voice trying to persuade the people to believe in Him. Although His words are direct, he emphasizes that he only desires that "ye might be saved." He doesn't presume to accuse them before the Father, but states that Moses, in whom they believe, will condemn them.
Today, we have the accumulated testimony of scripture and we, too, are asked to believe. It is not always easy in this world when we hear daily of war, injustice, disease or natural disaster. At times, we need to ask, as did the father of the child possessed by demons that Jesus healed: "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."
After considering these passages, the overriding thought that remained with me was my gratitude in knowing that I have a Savior who is a God of grace and love, not of vengeance. I have had my moments of unbelief, but gratefully remember that Christ beckons: "come unto me, and I will give you rest."
Ross Burningham
