Hope Alliance Bethlehem

The new creation work of Jesus means that peace can be in bloom in our world.  More than just a feeling or experience, peace is a culture of healing, security and prosperity enabled by the just and righteous rule of Jesus.  In a world pulled apart by anxiety, this peace protects our hearts and minds and sends us boldly into the world as ambassadors.

The resurrection means that love is in bloom in the new creation of Jesus.  Love is volitional -gracious, self-giving, restorative actions toward others.  When we encounter God's love regularly, it moves us to worship and on the basis of worship into love toward others.  This love not only gives us a deeper knowledge of God, but makes an invisible God tangible to an onlooking world.

More than an emotion or experience, joy is a deep assurance of victory found in the gospel.  When we lean into the gospel in obedience our experience of joy increases and works to transform our perspective and counteract our pain.  The new creation announced in the resurrection of Jesus means that joy is in bloom in our lives and in our world.

The gospel of John reminds us that the resurrection isn't just factually true, but also the climax of God's grand narrative of creation.   And so its no surprise we find Jesus in a garden being mistaken for a gardener where he has just defeated sin and death and the curse they brought.  And in their place has cultivated the soil for new creation to bloom.

God continues to respond to the rebellion of the Israelites with grace.  In this case, he graciously reaffirms the role and responsibilities of the Levites and the role and function of the priests to protect the people.  Moreover, he gives them a readymade source of cleansing when the encounter death.  In Jesus, the ultimate high priest, God brings us near to him without fear and offers us final and ongoing cleansing from our sin that leads to death.

Korah leads a rebellion assuming that his standing means he can assert himself as a priest.  But God reminds all of Israel that he has chosen rightly with Aaron.  Whereas Korah attempted to elevate himself and in so doing put the people at risk, the true high priest puts his own life at risk in order to rescue the people.  How much more is this true of Jesus who has once and for all rescued humanity by laying down his life.

The story of the 12 spies shows us that is entirely possible to be presented with the same facts on the ground and come to entirely different conclusions.  That is, as people of God, we can either view the world through the lens of his promises or our perspective.  If we are going to follow God  in faith, even amidst significant struggle, we must look for his faithfulness, remember his power and listen to his word.  And his faithfulness and power are on its fullest display in Jesus - the living word of God.

As grumbling overtakes Israel, Moses is overwhelmed and Miriam and Aaron are envious - two emotions that are common amongst us!  To each of them God demonstrates his grace, just in different ways.  God raises us leaders to help Moses carry the burden.  And God gives Miriam and Aaron an important reminder about their true identity.  It is identity that brings true contentment.

Three days into the journey and the Israelites are grumbling.  How does this happen?  The same way it regularly happens in our lives.  We cling to a sense of entitlement that shifts our perspective off of God's glory, presence and mission and onto our cravings and comfort.  Rather than going to God in lament about the reality of our struggle we point our finger at him in disgust.  And when grumbling starts, it spreads quickly.  Only a mediator greater than Moses, namely Jesus, can save us from ourselves.

The cloud not only demonstrated God's purpose, but it would lead God's people on their journey.  And in his kindness he provided two silver trumpets to help clarify this leading.  Just like the Israelites, we are called to follow God in this life we are living, but it can be overwhelming and difficult at times.  Praise God in his kindness he has provided two silver trumpets - the Scriptures and the Spirit to speak to us corporately and individually and keep us on track as we follow God by constantly pointing us to Jesus.