Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Invitation to Christ's Hospitality

 

Exodus 24:1-11

“Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words”. vs 8

 

The chapter teaches us of God’s relationship with the people of Israel and the confirmation of God’s covenant with the people of Israel. The events in this chapter can be separated into three parts. It begins with God extending an invitation to Moses, Aaron, Nadah, and Abihu and the seventy elders of Israel to a fellowship with God, and it ends with a fellowship with God where they dine and drink together. 

In between these two episodes is the establishment of the covenant between God and the people of Israel, through burnt offerings and sacrifice of young bulls, which is a prerequisite for the fellowship. Blood represents life, of one life being given for another. It is the foundation of our relationship and fellowship with our Lord. In other words, by establishing the covenant, God enters into a relationship with His people. Have we ever taken a moment to ponder the fact that an invitation to a fellowship and to dine and drink together is always the result of a relationship built over time? Establishing relationships is an intentional act that naturally requires commitment of resources — our time, money, space, and emotions. 

The covenant that God established with Moses is further ratified by the nation. Their relationship meant they see God, even thou it is only his feet, and yet they lived, when it was generally understood then that God never showed his glory in this manner but for the purpose of manifesting his justice.

No doubt, in the Old testament God’s relationship with the people of Israel is hierarchical, where Moses alone is invited to come closer to God, followed by the leaders of Israel-representatives on behalf of the nation-who had to keep their distance, and the nation as a whole had to remain further removed. Apparently, the relationship between God and the people are not equal; there is not only a distinction drawn between Israelites and God, but also a distinction between Israelites. All of this can be considered as a likely attribute of the depth and strength of one’s relationships.  But in Jesus Christ, an everlasting relationship is established between God and believers typifying the covenant of grace. 

Our communion with God co-exists only when we have relationships with the people in our lives. They are directly proportional. When a pandemic confined us to our homes and forced us to stay connected through various forms of technology, they likely not only further distanced us from one another, but perhaps also created a sense of uneasiness to reconnect with people. Given the effort, sacrifice, and grace it takes to establish and maintain relationships, often our relationships can be transactional. In that moment, the easiest solution might be to escape relationships. 

PRAYER

Father, give us the humility of heart, grace, and discernment in our relationships with You and one another. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

If you want to walk fast, walk alone. If you want to walk far, walk together." -African proverb. 

Dr. Dennis Cherian

MTC Greater Washington

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