Skip to main content

Holy Week - Holy Life

John 6:66-69 (ESV)
66  After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.
67  So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?”
68  Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,
69  and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” 

Romans 12:1 (ESV)
1  I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Ephesians 1:4 (ESV)
4  even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 

I don't think we a great capacity for living with the idea of being "holy".  I've tended to hear the term in relation to people, only in negative ways..."such and such thinks they are holier than thou", or, "they think they're so holy."  It's used to describe a person who is self-righteous, not a person who is striving to live in communion with God.

Today, officially in the church calendar, begins "holy week".  A commemoration of the last week of Jesus' life, and the beginning of the end of Lent.
Today is Palm Sunday because it was Sunday that Jesus road into Jerusalem on the donkey in triumphal procession as the people cried out Hosanna, and they laid the palm branches on the road - an act of honor for Kings and Military heroes who visited a city.  
Needless to say, it was the highlight of the week for Jesus' popularity, and it would be short lived, as the leaders of the Jews sought ways to accuse him and discredit him in front of the people - eventually leading to his arrest, trials, crucifixion.

So, how does it all fit...holy week...called to be holy...offering ourselves as living sacrifices that are holy and acceptable to God.

We probably all have some idea of what "holy" might look like, and perhaps have even formed the opinion that "it's impossible, so forget it".
To be holy...well, that is someone who is so weird, separated from the world's reality, disciplined, elite, probably severe in turning away from everything....everything good too?  Is that what we think?

Think about this:  In order for a Holy God to make us in His image He had to impart his Holy character to us.  We are Holy to Him.  
Think about it this way:  To be Holy, is to be Wholly His...i.e., you cannot be a Whole person without being Holy.
From  the beginning God has sought to shape human life along a certain line.  The intended shape is best seen in Jesus - the human person that is God's son.  The work of God is to restore us to that image that we were intended to be created for.  

Towards the end of the New Testament, the writer of Hebrews sums up the process for us:  
Hebrews 12:7-15 (ESV)
7  It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
8  If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
9  Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?
10  For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.
11  For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
12  Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,
13  and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.
14  Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
15  See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;  

Follow it closely....God is at work in us, working with us and through us, to share in His holy character (whatever that might look like); therefore we can and must choose, so that the broken things might be healed (vs 12-13).  Discipline isn't the purpose, it's the means...the Purpose is Restoration!

Holy week?  Sure
Holy Life.... Priceless

Peace

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hands Full of Parcels

"A Man whose hands are full of parcels can't receive a gift."   - C. S. Lewis Romans 4:13-16 (ESV) 13  For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14  For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15  For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. 16  That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all... The last four days have been best described by the word "fatigue".  It's not an uncommon word in our vocabulary.  Listless, tired, sore.  1300 miles of car travel, being sick, not sleeping well, and eating poorly all add up to the word - fatigue.   Someone onc...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Tabernacle

The readings today are Exodus 36, 37, 38 I wanted to post some pictures of what these various parts of the Tabernacle looked like. It's not the easiest read in the world, but if you persevere through it, you can get a picture of all the different pieces that made up the tabernacle. It is a replica of the various parts of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness: First thing in the chapter listed is the outside of the tabernacle which consisted of curtains tied together and put on cross bars through loops. Next at the beginning of 37 is the table and lampstand: Also, the altar of incense: And, the altar for the burnt offering which was in the courtyard: Finally, the courtyard which made it all come together: Hope that helps with what it might have all looked like. Most importantly, this was their "place" of worship they were building. I hope you have a great day of worship. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
1 comment
Read more

The difference between defending and explaining

The news of recent has focused the suffering of Christians in the middle east who have been martyred for their faith in Christ at the hands of Islamic Terrorists. Through the centuries many Christians have lost their lives as a result of their faith. For us, who live in America, there is little chance that we would have this happen here - but it's entirely possibly that terrorism will strike out at Christians sometime.  But, for many Christians in the western world - especially here in the U.S. - being a Christians who believes God's word there is a form of persecution that is defined by words like "ostracized", "passed over", "ridiculed", and more. What do we do in the face of opposition to faith? When the Apostle Peter writes to the early believers who are undergoing great pressure, even persecution for their faith in Jesus, he gives them this charge. 1 Peter 3:8-18 8  Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly lov...
1 comment
Read more