It’s In the Details (Exodus 28:29-38)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
Aaron the High Priest

“Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breast-piece of decision as a continuing memorial before the Lord. Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breast-piece, so they may be over Aaron’s heart whenever he enters the presence of the Lord. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the Lord.

“Make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth, with an opening for the head in its center. There shall be a woven edge like a collar around this opening, so that it will not tear. Make pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarn around the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them. The gold bells and the pomegranates are to alternate around the hem of the robe. Aaron must wear it when he ministers. The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the Lord and when he comes out, so that he will not die.

“Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: holy to the Lord. Fasten a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban; it is to be on the front of the turban. It will be on Aaron’s forehead, and he will bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate, whatever their gifts may be. It will be on Aaron’s forehead continually so that they will be acceptable to the Lord. (New International Version)

This area of Holy Scripture is likely not one of the more popular places to read. Frankly, it’s boring and pedantic. Yet, contained within the Bible it is, for us to examine.

After giving Moses the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20, the next several chapters, from Exodus 20-31 contain detailed instructions from God concerning the covenant code stipulations with the Israelites. Plans for liturgical and sacrificial worship are covered with a fine tooth comb. Instructions for building implements for worship are precise.

And the special garments of the priests’ clothing are described in detail, both as to their design and the material to be used. It’s as if we’re all sitting in a virtual meeting just trying to stay awake, let alone pay attention. Yet, the fact of the details lets us know that the plan is important.

Aaron the High Priest, by Jan Luyken (1669-1712)

Today’s Old Testament lesson deals specifically with the vestments of Aaron, the first high priest of the covenant. An ephod was made – which is a richly embroidered, apron-like vestment having two shoulder straps and ornamental attachments for securing the breastplate, worn with a waistband. (Exodus 28:1-30)

The garment which Aaron was to wear, when he entered the sacred space, symbolically kept the nation of Israel in front of Yahweh, and also over the high priest’s heart.

There was a robe which covered the ephod, equipped with bells. As Aaron moved, the bells rang, signaling that he was coming into and out of the presence of God. Only the high priest was consecrated to enter the most holy place; and the high priest alone wore the special clothing for the unique service which was done.

The entire ritual of the high priest’s service was a visual display of God’s glory and of the reality that no one may enter God’s presence flippantly or carelessly. God is gracious and merciful; and God also has no tolerance for impurity, unrighteousness, and pride.

God expects divine laws, stipulations, and commands to be obeyed without prejudice. The Israelites could not pick and choose what directives from God they would do, or not do. And that is the core of what holiness before the Lord really is.

An interesting observation about this text of Scripture is that Aaron the high priest is given no instructions or commands about what to say when he entered and then left God’s presence. No mantras. No incantations or formulaic words. The inference is that Aaron was silent.

Instead, the garments spoke. “Holy to the Lord” on the plate affixed to the turban said a lot – along with the ephod and the robe, affirming that holiness is needed in order to make any sort of decisions before God.

We never get an explanation in Scripture about what the Urim and Thummim are – which is why, when translating the words from Hebrew, we merely have English transliterations of them. We only know that they were used when making decisions. Evidently, the high priest was an earthly source of God’s wisdom and direction.

Whatever we think about these verses in the book of Exodus, it seems that we are meant to understand that details matter; and how we go about our obedience, down to the last jot and tittle, matters.

Orthodox icon of Jesus Christ, the High Priest of a New Covenant

In the ministry of Christ, there were people wondering if all of his talk was upending or replacing those detailed imperatives of God. Jesus responded:

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” (Matthew 5:17-18, NIV)

Jesus furthermore upheld God’s expectation that divine commands be obeyed:

“Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:19, NIV)

At issue was the nature of righteousness – right relations with both God and others. Justice is imperative. Being humble, pure, merciful, and a peacemaker matters. The laws and directives of God are never to be used for walking around like a peacock to display what a wonderfully important and religious person you are.

In other words, the ornate garments of the high priest are not the person; they are special clothing used for a special purpose. Clothes may be important, yet it’s the heart that truly matters. And a heart devoted to God will seek to humbly obey God’s words down to the most minute detail.

O God, by whom the humble are guided, and light rises up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties about obedience, the grace to ask what you would have us to do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in your light we may see light, and in your straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus Prays For Us (John 17:6-19)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
Word of Life, by Millard Sheets

“I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you, for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me.

“I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you.

“Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. 

But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 

“I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth. (New Revised Standard Version)

It seems to me only fitting that Jesus concluded his time with the disciples in the Upper Room before his betrayal, crucifixion, and death with prayer. It also seems to me that if you really want to know the heart of a person, listen to them pray.

The prayer of Jesus was thoroughly oriented toward the spiritual needs of his followers – even potential believers who will follow him in the future. And it was a prayer completely devoted toward honoring the heavenly Father through praying consistent with God’s will for this world.

Without the physical presence of Jesus – which would soon be gone – his followers would have to rely on prayer. And Christ was intent on instilling within his disciples the confidence and hope they needed for a solid life of prayer.

For post-resurrection Christians living in an ever-expanding world of oppression, greed, and indifference, we can be encouraged not to settle into despair or loneliness. Why? Because believers can have a solid hope and an abiding trust in the continuing presence of Jesus by means of the Holy Spirit.

God Gives

God gives. Jesus gives. Both the Father and the Son are givers. This is a major reason and motivation for prayer because God is not a reluctant giver. In the act of giving, the Father and the Son are fully on the same page; God is ready and willing to give. The Holy Trinity – Father, Son, and Spirit – are in complete unity, and act as One, in giving to us what we need.

“Those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” (John 4:14, NRSV)

“Do not work for the food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.” (John 6:27, NRSV)

“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:28, NRSV)

We Belong

Through giving we are included. Believers and followers of Jesus – having been given the grace of faith – know that they belong to God. Christians are in union with Christ. The redemption which Jesus has secured is a million billion times stronger, and bonds us closer, than any sort of Gorilla glue. And, what’s more, once we belong, we are never forgotten, but always remembered by God.

“The Father knows me, and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” (John 10:15-16, NRSV)

Christ the King, statue in Swiebodzin, Poland

The Name of Jesus

Because we belong, we know God’s name. The divine name stands for all that God is and all that God has done. It’s all focused in Christ. In the name of Jesus, through the person and work of Jesus Christ, we have everlasting life, spiritual power, and eternal security.

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:30-31, NRSV)

We Have the Word

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). Jesus has given to his disciples only those words which he first received from the Father. Those who accept the enfleshed Word and his words have been given power to become God’s children (John 1:12). Because believers belong to God, they know the truth and that truth has set them free.

It is the Christian’s mission to live into the words and ways of Jesus, to follow Christ in thought, word, and deed. The very glory of Jesus in his cross and resurrection is focused within the believing community, who is in union with Christ and belongs to God.

In his prayer, Jesus claimed an intimate oneness in the sharing of concern for people who are the objects of the Father’s gracious giving of love through the Son. All who belong to Christ belong to God, and vice versa. All the love that went into the cross was poured out upon us.

Those who believe in the name of Jesus Christ are the very glory of Jesus, and thus, the glory of God.

Sent Into the World

Because of the Father’s name—because of who the Father is and what the Father has given in love to the Son—we are set apart for truth; the words of God are truth.

Since we belong to God and bear the name of Christ, we don’t belong to the world’s systems of guilt, shame, injustice, and evil. And yet, we are separated from the world for precisely the reason of immersing ourselves in the world. In other words, Christianity is meant for the life of the world, and not as a religion that’s only concerned for itself.

To reach the world, we must be different from it. To reach the world, we need to have boots-on-the-ground in it. To reach the world, Christians are to be both far from the world, and near to the world.

As the Father sent the Son, so the Son sends us into the world – not to be like the world, but to embody the words and ways of Jesus to and for the world.

Just as the world rejected Jesus in his suffering and death, so the world, too, will reject his followers. Which means we will need to pray, a lot! And there is no better scriptural prayer to emulate than the very words of the Lord Jesus, who loved us and gave himself for us.

Holy Father, guard our hearts and minds in Jesus, as we pursue this Christian life which you gave as a gift through Christ, so that we can be united, just as the Father and the Son are one. Although we long for heaven, don’t take us out of the world until we have fulfilled our sacred mission to carry the words and ways of our Lord to the world. Make us holy, and give us everything we need for life in this present evil age; through Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit are one God, now and forever. Amen.

Being Both Near and Far (John 16:4-11)

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The Upper Room, by Gail Meyer

I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them. I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you, but now I am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things. But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away.

Unless I go away, the Advocate will -not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. (New International Version)

Jesus was in the Upper Room with his disciples, sharing their final meal together. The disciples did not understand everything their Lord was communicating to them. Yet, they picked up that Jesus was going away, and this was a source of grief to them.

It must be this way. But Jesus will always be with them, although not being with them. It sounds contradictory, but nonetheless true.

God is as intimately near to us a parent to a child. God is also higher than we can imagine and very far away. The theological terms about this are that God is both immanent and transcendent, that is, both near and far. God is indeed “Our Father in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9)

For the disciples, it was good having Jesus on earth, near to them, ministering to people up close and personal. They would soon learn that it will be even better with Jesus far away sitting at the right hand of God in heaven.

For us, this is all good. That’s because we have been given the Spirit, who is the continuing presence of Jesus on this earth. So, Jesus is actually here, but not really here. He’s both – by means of God’s Holy Spirit.

The Spirit is described by Jesus as the Advocate – the one who comes alongside us and is so close that it’s like having Jesus inside us, and not just around us. The Advocate does the important work of helping us to be like Christ, enabling us to follow the words and ways of Jesus.

Although none of us are like God, being both immanent and transcendent, and able to be in two places and everyplace at the same time, we nonetheless are created in the image of God. And a good use of leadership, especially in the church, is to understand that leaders need the tension of being both close and distant.

By Petrina Kent

A leader who is everyone’s buddy and always close is missing half of their leadership. And a leader who is aloof and hard to get to know is only half there. Leaders must embrace the delicate and difficult balance of being both near and far, close to the parishioners, yet also able to keep a distinct big picture perspective through a far off view.

Leaders have a very hard time talking of sin and righteousness and judgment if they only have half their leadership working. Yet, it isn’t only about leaders. Everyone can take a lesson from learning how to embrace the paradox of being both near and far.

No matter who you are – whether a pastor, an elder or deacon, a member, and/or a regular attender or friend of the church – other people are making an example of you. Yes, people are watching; they see what you do, what you say, how you act, and your attitude toward most things. 

Church leaders, especially, are to be good examples to the Body of Christ (1 Peter 5:3). Maybe you don’t think of yourself as an example to others, or believe that more ordinary parishioners have that kind of influence. However, leadership isn’t really about having a position or possessing power; it’s about the actions and/or inactions you take.

No matter your position in the church or any organization, you must take responsibility for the quality of your Christian life. If you are in any kind of leadership role, you have to decide how good a leader you want to be. Are you willing to develop a full-orbed leadership by being both up close and personal and objectively distant?

I used to get discouraged about the reality that I wasn’t a born leader. But then I came to my senses and remembered that I was born. I’m here, so my mother must have given birth to me. In fact, everyone has been born. It’s a matter of what we do with what we have before we die that makes all the difference. 

Holding the Flame of Fire, by Jyoti Sahi, 2005

There is no evidence that people are predisposed with a leadership gene imprinted on their DNA. Yes, in the church there are gifts of leadership given by the Holy Spirit. Yet, that doesn’t get any of us off the hook of leadership any more than not having a gift of teaching means we don’t have to instruct our own kids.

Leadership, being an example, and becoming both close and distant can be learned. It’s a skill and an ability, just like most anything in life. It must be developed and honed, even if one seems prone to be a leader. That means good leadership means being a good learner; and putting in the hard work of practice.

It’s been estimated that about 10,000 hours of deliberate practice over a period of 10 years is what it takes to achieve the highest level of proficiency. Maybe I’ve now lost you. But this is the price of leadership. It doesn’t just happen. People don’t just get zapped by the Holy Spirit like some divine magic trick and automatically become great leaders and persons. 

God calls, molds, develops, and shapes individuals of all kinds for spiritual purposes. That’s why there are so many exhortations in Scripture to be examples, follow godly examples, and mimic sound doctrine. Making disciples isn’t like making microwave popcorn.  It’s much more like the outdoor smoker; go low and slow and let the meat cook just right.

Since the Christian life and Christian leadership is a learned art, then failure is inevitable. We practice to get better at it. We do it, blow it, learn from our mistakes then try it again – over and over and over again. Yet, the Holy Spirit, our Advocate, is there (and here!) giving grace and teaching us.

And that’s all possible because the Christian’s Lord Jesus Christ left the faraway heaven and came among us and was close – then turned around and went back to heaven in his ascension and glorification. Without these redemptive events, there is no union and intimacy with God.

Intelligence is helpful; talking a good line never hurts; confidence is beneficial; but taking the time to practice the skills of leadership with dedicated work and focused motivation is the one thing that anyone can do. 

Be encouraged to know that Christian sanctification is a process; church leadership can be developed and learned. If you desire to be a better example, work at it with all your heart. And have some faith.

Gracious God, in the resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ you have given us eternal life and glorified your name in all the world. Refresh our souls with the living streams of your truth, so that in our unity, your joy may be complete, by means of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Who Is In Control? (Psalm 47)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
Ascension, by Angela Taylor Perry

Clap your hands, all you peoples;
    shout to God with loud songs of joy.
For the Lord, the Most High, is awesome,
    a great king over all the earth.
He subdued peoples under us
    and nations under our feet.
He chose our heritage for us,
    the pride of Jacob whom he loves.

God has gone up with a shout,
    the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.
Sing praises to God, sing praises;
    sing praises to our King, sing praises.
For God is the king of all the earth;
    sing praises with a psalm.

God is king over the nations;
    God sits on his holy throne.
The princes of the peoples gather
    as the people of the God of Abraham.
For the shields of the earth belong to God;
    he is highly exalted. (New Revised Standard Version)

Who is in control? This is really a big question. We humans seem almost obsessed with the issue of control.

Some people want to be in charge of regulating everything. Others want to exert force over nothing at all. And there are those who continually want to know the clear lines of authority and who is in control, at all times.

Control, in and of itself, is not a bad thing. In fact, it’s a good thing. Taking charge of a situation – and especially of oneself – is often needed. Leadership that is informed, decisive, humble, true, and right, is a must.

The problem comes whenever we try to exert domination over another person, or attempt to command an organization when it isn’t our responsibility to do so.

Ultimate control of all things belongs to God, and not to you or me. The psalmist is insistent that God is the Ruler of the universe; and that all things belong to the Lord. God’s commands are good.

The Lord’s dominion is known as the kingdom of God. Whenever people are in sync with this reality, then they are able to be joyful and celebrate the good, right, and just Being who is in control.

Yet, if people have problems trusting another; desire to always call the shots on everything; and command everyone; there you will find a host of miserable people – with the one trying to exert control as the most miserable of all.

People, instead, are called to self-control. We are to have charge over our own thoughts and actions. It’s important to have sobriety in our lives in which we can use proper restraint, as well as needed initiative.

Be alert and be of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8, NIV)

In order to get our lines of authority in the proper places, and to participate in the established rhythms of control in the universe, we are commanded to clap, shout, and sing. Because God has ultimate control, divine initiatives are grounded in goodness, justice, righteousness, and deliverance from evil. The Lord has mercifully acted on behalf of people.

The Lord only asks of us to do things that he himself has done. The psalm states that “God has gone up with a shout.” We shout because God shouts. God rules over the nations, and was not simply some local deity that the ancient Israelites served and worshiped. The divine presence is with those who acknowledge God; they will hear the Lord’s shout.

“No misfortune is seen in Jacob,
    no misery observed in Israel.
The Lord their God is with them;
    the shout of the King is among them.
God brought them out of Egypt;
    they have the strength of a wild ox.” (Numbers 23:20-22, NIV)

We are also told to sing. The reason we do so is because the Lord is high above all people, and is king over the nations. This is something we need to say out loud and to sing, and to not only read silently in our heads. Our ears need to listen to the psalm, to hear the praises of God reverberating on our ear drums.

My people, hear my teaching;
    listen to the words of my mouth. (Psalm 78:1, NIV)

It is perfectly appropriate for Christians to use today’s psalm in reflection upon Ascension Day. Jesus has been lifted up into the sky; God has gone up with a shout. The Lord has equipped us for citizenship in the kingdom of God. We have solid grounds for celebration, shouting, and singing. Jesus is our King.

God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church. (Ephesians 1:20-22, NRSV)

Because of Christ’s ascension, believers in Jesus have the memory of the past, the experience of the present, and a hope for the future. With Jesus in control, there is no need for fear, or for trying to gain control for oneself.

Grant, we pray, Almighty God, that as we believe your only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into heaven, so we may also in heart and mind there ascend, and with him continually dwell; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.