Today´s reading:
OT: Leviticus 25:47-55, Leviticus 26, Leviticus 27:1-13
NT: Mark 10:32-52
Ps: Psalm 45
Pr: Proverbs 10:22
Today´s notable verse:
10 Listen, O daughter, consider and give ear:
Forget your people and your father's house.
11 The king is enthralled by your beauty;
honor him, for he is your lord.Psalm 45:10-11 (NIV)
To be honest, I'm not sure I've ever read this Psalm before. But in doing so, I can't help but note that this "wedding song" is prophetically allegorical to Christ as the bridegroom, and the church as His bride. Two things: one, that just like Rebekah made the choice to forsake her family and her country for the sake of God's call to marry Isaac (Genesis 24), so the church - and we who comprise the church - are called to forsake all for God's call; and two, I am struck by the thought of our Lord being "enthralled by [our] beauty". Enthralled is a powerful word, meaning to be "spellbound" or "captivated". God, captivated and spellbound by anything about me - I struggle to grasp understanding of that idea. And that God chooses to see our beauty, rather than the ugliness of our inherently sinful nature - I am awed and humbled.
The One Year Bible Blog asks:
Comments from You & Question of the Day - I know that many folks participate in the season of Lent, which began yesterday - and I know that many folks don't. 🙂 If you are participating in Lent, what are you giving up or taking up? (if you're comfortable sharing) If you don't participate in Lent, what do you do prior to Easter to meditate upon Jesus' passion, death and resurrection? Do you attend Passion Plays, do Passover meals, etc.? I'm just curious to hear about any spiritual practices or traditions folks participate in prior to Easter?
I've really never "observed" the season of Lent, or done anything special leading up the Easter. While not always foremost in my mind, every day I make decisions in which I either identify myself with the death and resurrection of Christ or else exemplify the need for His death in the first place. I thank God for His power at work in me on the days in which I "die to myself" with the decisions I make and the actions I take, and for His grace on the days that I choose not to.
I would, however, like to learn more about the Jewish Passover traditions and celebrations, so that I can better understand how they symbolized Christ, and how Christ fulfilled them.
Chip,
You have to get yourself invited to a traditional Jewish Passover it is just awesome. Some people I know who have been to them, and who were Christians, cried their eyes out all through the meal.
Maybe if you visit a local synagogue and ask if you can kind of put your name in for an invite. A lot of Jewish people invite “gentiles” to this celebration. Be forewarned, wine (strange tasting sweet wine) flows freely. Or you can check out the Jews for Jesus web sites or find a group in your neighborhood and go to one of theirs. Of course theirs are Christ Centered!!
Ramona
I could possibly have the opportunity for both. Directly across the street from me, a new Jewish tabernacle is nearing completion. I’ve been looking forward to stopping in, even if just to say “hi”.
And, someone at my church does the Jews-for-Jesus version Passover meal, pointing out all the references to Christ, and things relevant to Christians, etc.
Tabernacle? Temple? Synagogue?
I think it’s synagogue… oops.
Rose by any other name is still …
Go for it. Even if you go “traditional” Jewish and not Jews for Jesus, your familiarity with the Bible would clue you in on ALL THE THINGS that point to Jesus Christ.