February 13- Divine Design

February 13, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Exodus 35:10-36:38; Matthew 27:32-66;
Psalm 34:1-10; Proverbs 9:7-8

We are each but a quarter note in a grand symphony. 
~Guy Laliberte

Exodus 35:10-36:38

I told you about the mice that got into the house that my husband and I built, but I haven't told you some other details about the experience of building the house.  In case you have not picked up on it, I am a person who pays attention to details.  As we were building our home, I wanted to make sure that one detail that we did not miss was the design of our fireplace. I love a really good fireplace. In order to take care of this detail, I went into different model homes and noted which fireplace I liked. Some fireplaces warmed my heart and some left me cold! There was one design I really loved, so we found the name of the craftsman who built those fireplaces.  Wanting only the best for our new place, we made sure that our builder hired this talented brick layer. To me, this detail of artisanship really mattered.

Today God chooses only the best craftsmen to create the Tabernacle.  As a picture of Christ, God pays special attention to every detail of the Tabernacle's design and construction.  After plundering Egypt, God has Moses take a free will offering from the nation of Israel in order to gather the materials for constructing  the Tabernacle and all of the items that represented Christ, including the Ark of the Covenant, the mercy seat, the inner curtain, the table, the lampstand, the incense altar, the altar of burnt offering, the washbasin (laver), the curtains of the courtyard, the priestly garments and all of the poles, tent pegs, and accessories.

Exodus indicates that there was a community of artisans who came together to worship God by using their gifts and talents.  These were both men and women. We see that some people were wealthy and contributed their possessions.  Some people could sew, some were weavers, some worked with metals, others were talented in construction. There were jewelers, designers, and embroiderers.  An orchestra of willing artists created a symphony of beauty to God.  The Tabernacle was a jewel in the desert.   This is a picture of the body of Christ today.  His Church is built by the gifts and talents of those who are indebted to him for their very lives.  Our sacrificial gift to God of our abilities glorifies God on earth and creates the symphony of Truth about God as a witness to all of the universe.

Lesson: Your life is part of a tapestry that God is creating.  Your gifts and talents create Christ's body, the Church, on earth.

How have you used your gifts on earth?  Do you realize that your gifts and talents glorify your Creator?  Do you worship God by using your gifts to benefit others?

Matthew 27:32-66

Yesterday we saw that Barabbas was freed, while Jesus was condemned to death and tortured.  The Roman soldiers did such a good job of torturing him that an African named Simon had to carry the cross for Jesus as he limped towards Calvary.

The scorn and derision predicted in Psalm 22 came to pass as soldiers gambled for Jesus' garments, as he hung on a cross naked between two criminals and as the crowd, the criminals, and Jewish religious leaders taunted Jesus to save himself if he really was the Son of God. 

At what appears to be the low point of God's story, we think back and realize that this is actually the climax of His Story (history).  Jesus is fulfilling his purpose on earth.  The Redeemer Child (Genesis 3:15) has come into the world and at this very moment he is beginning to crush the head of the Serpent.

The earth becomes dark from noon until three in the afternoon.  At this time, Christ cries out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"  Do you know the answer to this question? 

There are not many things in life that we have to face alone, but death is one of those things that we each do by ourselves.  One advantage we have as believers is that upon our death we are met by Christ.  We are ushered into his presence.  This is not what happens to Christ at his death on the cross.  Christ, bearing the sins of the world, is forced to face what most of us fear upon death...darkness and separation.  Christ experiences the nightmare of complete separation from God the Father. 

Tears come to my eyes as I consider the utter anguish of Jesus' suffering and complete desolation. The penalty for my sin and yours was paid for through his anguish and death.  The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, was led to slaughter.  This final Passover allows you and me to rest under the blood- covered doorposts of forgiveness.

God forsook Christ on the cross as planned before the foundations of the world.  Our Redeemer paid the ransom for the sin which began in the Garden. The power of that sin ended on a hill called Calvary.  As Verse 50 tells us, "Jesus shouted again, and he gave up his spirit."  No one took his spirit.  He willingly gave it up.

The veil in the Temple, which separated the Holy of Holies where God dwelt from the the other parts of the Temple, was torn in two from top to bottom at the very moment that Christ died.  The veil was a picture of Christ, who stands between God the Father and mankind.  His broken body on the cross gives access to God to all who believe in Jesus.  Matthew also records that an earthquake caused many dead men and women to raise up from the grave and appear to many people in Jerusalem.  This would be a picture of resurrection for all people to witness.  The reality that every person on earth will resurrect to salvation or damnation is a sobering thought.

Finally, a rich man named Joseph provides the borrowed tomb for Christ's burial.  We see that while the disciples scattered, some faithful women do not flee, but follow Christ from suffering to death and finally to burial.

Have you ever accepted the death of Christ on the cross as a payment for the death you deserve for your sins?  Have you thought about the utter darkness Christ experienced?

Prayer:  Thank you, Jesus, for what you did for me.  Forgive my flippant life and my careless sins.  May I live each day in humble obedience and thankfulness for your work on the cross.

Psalm 34:1-10

Vs. 6 "I cried out to the Lord in my suffering, and he heard me. He set me free from all my fears."

Proverbs 9:7-8

"So don't bother rebuking mockers; they will only hate you."  Jesus must have memorized this proverb.

What did you learn today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton