Tabernacle

Jesus had lots of followers.  He had lots of different kinds of followers.  Some followed Him like groupies because they were enthralled with His teaching and couldn’t get enough.  Others followed Him like beggars because they were desperate for His healing.  And then there were those who followed Him like spies trying to get Him in trouble.  Lastly, there were those who followed Him like friends because they wanted to be with Him and tell others about Him.  Which kind of follower are you?

Rules are good, but rules can make us ugly.  When our rules become more important than people, then our hearts wither and we forget how to love.  The Jewish community of Jesus’ day elevated Sabbath rules above the well-being of people.  They forgot why God even made the Sabbath.  They were turning it into an exercise in self-righteousness, rather than an expression of resting in all that God has done for us.  Jesus came to restore withered hands…and withered hearts.

What kinds of things do you like to celebrate? Do you celebrate Jesus and His gift of salvation with the same amount of enthusiasm and joy? As Christians, we have so much to celebrate. Jesus gave His life for you. Your sins of been forgiven. You have been given new life. And you have the hope of heaven waiting for you. Rejoice and enjoy the feast that the king has prepared for you.

Jesus does the impossible: He loves sinners.  He balances immaculate holiness with unconditional love.  We seem to always get caught erring too much on the side of grace or clinging to rigidly to truth.  But can you be too gracious?  Can you be too truthful?  Jesus is both.  He never compromises truth, and yet His grace always welcomes sinners.  He has done all things well!

Can people see your faith?  I like the old question, “If you were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”  As believers, we uphold “the faith” and seek to grow in our knowledge of the Gospel.  But we are also called to live “by faith”, faithfully demonstrating with our actions that our faith is alive and real.  May our lives leave no reasonable doubt as to whether or not we are disciples.

Can people see your faith?  I like the old question, “If you were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”  As believers, we uphold “the faith” and seek to grow in our knowledge of the Gospel.  But we are also called to live “by faith”, faithfully demonstrating with our actions that our faith is alive and real.  May our lives leave no reasonable doubt as to whether or not we are disciples.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ always elicits a reaction.  It stands in marked contrast to the age-old doctrines of human potential and self-reliance.  Jesus teaches us to repent and believe, as opposed to pretend and achieve.  Why should we believe His alternative, corrective message?  Because He has power and authority unlike any other person or spirit.  Because He has done all things well.

There is tremendous authority in the voice of Jesus.  He came as a King, commanding people to turn from their own views of what would make their world right and good and to believe in His plan to make the world as it should be.  He calls us all to receive His Kingdom, and to forsake our own.  This changes everything.

The wilderness can be a blessing or a battleground, or sometimes even both.  I know how much we prefer to stay where it’s safe and comfortable, but there are times when God wants us in the wilderness.  Sometimes that’s the only place where we can really hear His voice.  Oftentimes that’s where the front line of the Kingdom of God is really advancing.  We need the wilderness.  Don’t be surprised when He takes you there.