Ezekiel 38:1-39:29
Much of that stuff about Gog and Magog might as well be gibberish. I got lost in all those unfamiliar names. But this call to the wild animals and birds is very interesting (39:17). They are told to eat flesh and drink blood. They are told to prepare themselves for the great sacrifice on the mountains of Israel. It is a sacrifice of judgement; judgement on all the arrogant pretenders to power on the earth - on horses and riders and mighty men and princes of the earth. And this sacrifice of judgement will benefit the wild beasts - this slaughter will feed the birds. Jesus would later take on himself these false powers and see them crucified on the cross. And I would later become the wild animal, feasting on his flesh and his blood. But this sacrifice is not just about filling a stomach. It is also the leading of people out of their exile of sin (39:23). It is bringing people out of captivity and helping them forget their shame(39:25-26). I increasingly realise how much of a captive I was. I increasingly find myself freed from my shame. But this sacrifice is not just about my liberation. It is also the glory of the Lord displayed among the nations. It is also the showing of God to be holy through his people gathered from their lands. The church is first of all God’s advocate; we are saved to be overflowing with worship and to show the world that He is King.
James 4:1-17
It’s about now that I suddenly start to feel like James is just a tad harsh. He is speaking to Christians and he describes them as adulterous people, sinners, double-minded, he says they are just a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes, and he says they boast and brag and do evil and sin. Phew! Would you want a pastor like that?? But, you know what, I think I would. Because good old James had lived with holiness his whole life. He had probably shared a bed with holiness - sleeping alongside his brother Jesus who never sinned and was the epitome of purity. He probably watched in gob-smacked wonder as his older brother gave away and turned from the things of the world, humbly entrusting himself to God. He probably stood next to Jesus as people slandered him and Jesus just smiled in response. He probably himself received rebukes from his brother about boasting about his future or thinking too much of himself. You see, I don’t think James was down on people - he loved people, he gave his life to pastoring people, he wrote his letter to people - I just think that James had a very realistic perspective on what people were really like. When you have spent your life with brilliant white, slightly light brown just doesn’t seem that great. So James would be a great pastor. Because James would always show us there’s something more. James would lead us into holiness and equip us for leading purer lives. If you are a leader or you want to be the best thing you can do is emulate James - the best thing you can do is get such a clear and vivid image of Jesus that nothing else seems that great. It is a life-time’s work. But a life-time is what we’ve got. Its time to share a bed with holiness.
Proverbs 28:7-17
“He who increases his wealth by exorbitant interest amasses it for another who will be kind to the poor.” Hmm, that seems quite current.
No comments:
Post a Comment