January 5, 2011 - Kathryn

Today's reading from the Chronological OT/NT Reading Plan is Genesis 13-15, Matthew 5: 1-26 

Genesis is chocked full of great stories of normal people like you and me, who gave themselves over to God, but still struggled with their sinful nature. Abram is no different. He may have been the father of a nation, but he was still human at heart. Genesis 15:1 holds great promise to Abram. It states, After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” Now God had just delivered Lot, through Abrams hand, from a handful of warring kings. These kings come to Abram asking for their people back. Kings come to a single man, to beg for their people. Abram must've been a powerful, imposing force that those kings did not want to deal with. Yet, in light of that, in the very next scripture God comes to Abram in a vision to reassure him of His promises. He reminds Abram that God alone is protector, God alone is the great reward, God alone is provider. And Abram, like we do, sees through human eyes and throws God's promise back in His face. “Where is this child you said I'd have? Where is the fulfillment of your promise?” So many times I have the promises of scripture, but my human heart fails me. I question His promises, even though they are so fresh and ready in His word. But God is understanding. He not only reassures him that yes, he will have a child from his own body, in vs. 4, but he also seals the deal through an amazing act that Abram will not soon forget or question.

It is extremely difficult to cut animals in half. It is also an extremely bloody, smelly mess. He had to do this three times to animals that were about half his size. It was a job. One I'm sure he knew how to do. It was disgusting by our standards today and I'm sure it wasn't a pleasant job back then either. Everytime anyone in the old testament sacrificed and animal, they had to deal with mess and smell. It was a constant reminder of how our sin is in God's eyes. When we are in sin, whether we are wallowing in it, or it is unknown to us, we are a stinky, disgusting mess. It is not a pleasant job cleaning us up. We have lost the image of sin being ugly, as my mother would say. The people of the old testament knew it well. Our sin is disgusting and it also costs us. Abram either had to buy these animals, take them from his own stock, or find them. Sin costs us. We cannot just freely sin and then take for granted what we have done when we ask for forgiveness. That sin cost someone something and it made a mess for someone to clean up. Something I need to think about when I sin. Who does this cost? What kind of a mess did I make? It's worth asking. Because forgiveness is necessary when we sin, yes, but what kind of clean up work can we do? How can we make things right between a brother or a sister when we sin?

Matthew 5:1-26 begins the sermon on the mount. The Beatitudes are a famous portion of scripture that many know about. But I'm not sure they are very popular. I mean being poor in spirit? Being persecuted? Being meek? Our culture today is not a very meek culture, nor do we promote people who are meek! We look up to those who are bold and outspoken. Well what does meek mean? According to Merriam-Webster it means :enduring injury with patience and without resentment, deficient in spirit and courage, not violent or strong. Hmm, who wants to be know as weak? Not me, but I do believe that all of these descriptions of a follower of Christ connect to the next verses about being the salt and light. The beatitudes fly in the face of all culture. You could say, they are counter-cultural. You could say they are new, different, healing, refreshing. When people see these different behaviors, it is a light to a different way of living. People will wonder why you are different. They will ask. I believe when we are different and unique as Christ calls us to be, we are then the light and salt that the world needs. It is an open door to leading others to Christ. But how easy is it to do these behaviors? Oh it's hard. It is a lifelong walk and there is grace. There is also the promise of vs 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled”. What promise we have that He will fulfill our desires. So pray, desire righteousness and He will fill you.

Blessings today as you search out His word and His will for your life.  

Tomorrow's passage:  Genesis 16-17, Matthew 5:27-48