The High Priest of Israel wore a robe that is mentioned as the work of a weaver and that it was all blue, the color of the heavens. It was designed to give the High Priest special glory before God. Standing there before God in royal blue, bearing both the light and judgement of God (Urim and Thumin on the breastplate) and bearing the names of the tribes who were called especially to ministry by Him, He was the shepherd of God's people. He was called to stand before God for them and no other. His robe covered him completely from top to bottom. His role was complete and through him, the iniquity of the people was ablated year after year. Life was worth living because of that act.
There is a psalm that speaks of the "robe "smelling" of myrrh, aloes and cassia. While the robe of the High Priest may not have literally smelled, the odors mentioned do underscore priestly aspects. Prophetically, there is the Lord, the Great King and Priest of God's church. He is the High Priest of today and tomorrow and forever. He is our Great Shepherd. Through Him and all His suffering, we are seen as holy and blameless in His sight. In spite of the continually fight with the enemy, it is a great hope: a final scene when we are all home because of Him.
"Because of Him, I can face tomorrow, because of Him all fear is gone.
And because I know, He holds the future
Life is worth the living, just because He lives."
Bill Gaither
Monday, April 24, 2017
Monday, April 17, 2017
Bibledoorajar: Wanting to Make Him Known
I just got in from Dallas. We had taken the kids who wanted to go from our church to Leadership Training for Christ. There were thousands gathered there. The theme was to Make Him Known and the participants read scriptures, gave speeches, did drama and puppet shows, art and photography and posters. Others led singing or participated in chorales. Some even read Christian poetry. It was all designed to Make Him Known. It made me think of previous blog entries. God went to great lengths to train the Israelites to worship Him and to recognize what the High Priest was accomplishing for them within the Holy of Holies. One wonders how many of them were so moved that they wanted to make Him known. God had hoped they would make Him known to each other and to strangers.
The writer of Hebrews was anxious for the Christians he was writing to. They were not so filled with Him that they a)knew how to make Him known, and, b)wanted to. He had many deep things he wanted to say to them about the High Priest but they had become dull of hearing and were not interested in learning new depths in Christ. At a time when they should have been prepared to make Him known, they were not. They, themselves, had need to be taught even the "basics" again!
I was happy to take children who were willing to share with others what they had been fed. It was a great delight. It was also a delight to be among the many adults who had fed them and participated with them in bringing their thoughts to the rest of us. On Sunday morning, tired, but very anxious to share, over 3000 of us gathered in a ballroom to make it known to Him that we knew Him and loved Him. It was a glorious worship. As we sang "ring it out, merrily ring" I was moved to think: " Lord may this please You tremendously." To ring it out merrily. What could be better than that?
The writer of Hebrews was anxious for the Christians he was writing to. They were not so filled with Him that they a)knew how to make Him known, and, b)wanted to. He had many deep things he wanted to say to them about the High Priest but they had become dull of hearing and were not interested in learning new depths in Christ. At a time when they should have been prepared to make Him known, they were not. They, themselves, had need to be taught even the "basics" again!
I was happy to take children who were willing to share with others what they had been fed. It was a great delight. It was also a delight to be among the many adults who had fed them and participated with them in bringing their thoughts to the rest of us. On Sunday morning, tired, but very anxious to share, over 3000 of us gathered in a ballroom to make it known to Him that we knew Him and loved Him. It was a glorious worship. As we sang "ring it out, merrily ring" I was moved to think: " Lord may this please You tremendously." To ring it out merrily. What could be better than that?
Monday, April 10, 2017
Bibledoorajar: Perfect Design
I have recently been shopping on the internet for timers for lawn sprinklers. I want the ones that are seen as having the best design that will give the most quality for the price. When I read the reviews on the various products it seems that inevitably someone will report a problem with the design that have caused them grief. I am still looking, still hoping to find the best.
For the Israelite, the robes of the High Priest with the Urim and Thumin inside were perfectly designed so that Israel could experience peace through the counsels of God. Whatever situation they were in, the counsels of God were there to see that their peace was uninterrupted. Even an enemy attack would end in the Israelites having peace. Whatever the issue, God could insure that peace would attend. There on the breast of the High Priest were the mysterious counsels of God. He was with His people. The Bible tells of some times when the Urim and the Thumin were misused by those in authority and their actions warranted disasterous results. But, when approached in the proper manner, God ensured peaceful endings.
John leaned on the breast of Jesus. Perhaps he not only heard the heartbeat of a man, but perhaps he found the peace of the counsels of God. Surely God wanted Jesus to be known as the Prince of Peace. Peace be with you was one of the first things He told His disciples. It was His peace that He left with them. The peace that passes all understanding; GOD LOVES YOU! The power to overcome lies within His glory. There, He sits on His throne robed in both royalty and priesthood. God rests about you because He rests in His Son. You can rest in God because His Son rests in Him. It is the ultimate perfect design! Here some churches say, "Peace to You" and hear the response, "And to You". For believers, it will ever be. Your proper approach? Love and worship Him!
For the Israelite, the robes of the High Priest with the Urim and Thumin inside were perfectly designed so that Israel could experience peace through the counsels of God. Whatever situation they were in, the counsels of God were there to see that their peace was uninterrupted. Even an enemy attack would end in the Israelites having peace. Whatever the issue, God could insure that peace would attend. There on the breast of the High Priest were the mysterious counsels of God. He was with His people. The Bible tells of some times when the Urim and the Thumin were misused by those in authority and their actions warranted disasterous results. But, when approached in the proper manner, God ensured peaceful endings.
John leaned on the breast of Jesus. Perhaps he not only heard the heartbeat of a man, but perhaps he found the peace of the counsels of God. Surely God wanted Jesus to be known as the Prince of Peace. Peace be with you was one of the first things He told His disciples. It was His peace that He left with them. The peace that passes all understanding; GOD LOVES YOU! The power to overcome lies within His glory. There, He sits on His throne robed in both royalty and priesthood. God rests about you because He rests in His Son. You can rest in God because His Son rests in Him. It is the ultimate perfect design! Here some churches say, "Peace to You" and hear the response, "And to You". For believers, it will ever be. Your proper approach? Love and worship Him!
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