Reflections

  Priests called to be imitators of Christ Leviticus 8:1-15 Leviticus 8:6 Then Moses brought Aaron and his sons forward and washed them with water. (NIV) Summary of the book of Leviticus chapter 8 is based on the ceremony for ordaining or consecrating priests of the LORD. The prophet was told to gather Aaron and his sons before the entire camp of the children of Israel. God was about to magnify Aaron and his sons before the eyes of the entire camp of the congregation. The chapter began with an actual purification ceremony as God commanded Moses. Priest: Washed by the work of God’s word (V: 8:1-6) Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed them with water.  All priestly ministries began with cleansing, and a cleansing that was received. Aaron and his sons did not wash themselves; they received a washing. Like these priests, every Christian is washed by the work of God’s word (Ephesians 5:26), by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5). This cleansing work was acco...

  Priests called to be imitators of Christ 2 Timothy 2:1-13 “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel.” V.8 In today’s scripture portion Apostle Paul begins by encouraging young Timothy to focus on the gospel, a message which concerns the Lord Jesus Christ, raised from the dead. The expression "raised from the dead" is the central truth of the gospel. Jesus Christ who rose from the dead is the unblemished, sacrificial victim and sinless high priest and brought us salvation. Christ himself is the cornerstone. Jesus’ life, death and resurrection are the foundation of a new community of which God is the author and perfector. Christ has broken the bonds of death and is alive, and because he lives we may live also. In addition, St. Paul encourages Timothy to stand firm for Christ in his Christian ministry and his calling. God is calling people of God to proclaim the good news concerning Jesus Christ. God calls people in every age to ...

  Priests called to be imitators of Christ Malachi 1: 6 – 14 The book of Malachi is the last page of inspired Hebrew prophecy. Malachi charged the people with profanity, sacrilege, greed, indifference; he charged them with perversion of the moral order, calling good evil and evil good; he charged them with robbing God in that they did not bring the whole tithe to His altars; he charged them also with blasphemy, in that they said, "There is no value in serving God". These charges reveal in every case the consciousness of love in the presence of sin. It is love that is wounded. The book, therefore, is a revelation of the constancy of love, the consciousness of love, and the courage of love. To be the imitators of Christ is a calling upon all believers to be obeyed with love and commitment. It is not to be forced or coerced but rather as a expression of our gratitude and love. G Campbell Morgan says “It is possible ...

  Priests called to be imitators of Christ Psalms 101 I will look with favor on the faithful in the land, so that they may live with me; whoever walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me.  Psalms 101:6 (NRSV) In the Old Testament, the people of Israel are told by God that they are to be a “priestly kingdom and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6).   In this Psalms we see David trying to fulfill that role.  David knew that his position as King was a gift from God, and he had a responsibility to use that position, not for his own benefit, but to spread the mercy and justice of God to other people.        David studied the word of the Lord (Psalms 101:2), he practiced the justice that God wanted him to have in his professional life as king and also in his personal life at home (101:2). But David was not content that he had a personal relationship with God (I will sing of loyalty and of justice; to you, O Lord, I will sing. – Psalms 101:1). Davi...

  Priests called to be imitators of Christ 1 Corinthians 9:23- 27. We have the twistable word 'imitators' in our topic. Even though the word grants its sense of reflection, it has further intense meaning when it is pointed towards the life of Christ and the life we have to deal with. Martin Luther once said,  "It is not imitation that makes sons, it is sonship that makes imitators." The very word imitation causes a threat of false sense of acting, but here in this portion we can sum up Paul's message as to live the life of Christ than mere acting. The Old Testament shows us many priests of God, but in the New Testament Jesus is the high priest (Hebrew 4 & 5). The life that Jesus had was a life of compassion, obedience through suffering, boldness against false teachings. Whatever he has done and preached, he exhibited the meaning of what real humanity is and the expectations God has towards the people. Apostle Paul once the persecutor of the church later became...

  Freedom in Christ (Independence Day) Luke 6: 20-25 When we think about the history of the world and the wars that have been fought in the name of freedom, we can recognize why freedom is certainly worth the fight. To be free is a universal right, granted to every person regardless of color, creed, or class. Spiritual freedom, however, takes on a whole other dimension.  Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.                                      - 2 Corinthians 3:17 2 Corinthians 3:17 is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. Its message is quite simple: spiritual freedom is found where the Spirit of the Lord is. When we are spiritually free, we can approach the throne of God without shame. Unworthy as we are, we can be self-aware of our sin, but still give all the praise and glory to the Lord b...

  Christian Stewardship - Tithe offering St. Luke 19:11-26 Separating tithes and offering them to God was one of the responsibilities of the covenant life of Israel. The Levites, the strangers, the poor, and the widows shall rejoice in its sharing. The Christian church also acknowledges and encourages tithing as a symbol of gratitude, knowing that all that is received is a gift from God. Believers have the responsibility with stewardship to the resources given to them. In the Bible, the word steward means a person who oversees the master's food, finances, slaves, children, livestock, and agriculture. He must have the willingness to give time, skills, and life for his master. This parable speaks of the nature of the kingdom of God and the coming of the Lord and His judgement . The stewardship is an important teaching of Jesus. Responsibility, transparency and accountability of God-given resources are very important in stewardship. He calls us to contend with the possibilities God ha...