For a full description of the (Y4) reading plan, see the “About” page.
Ex. 38
Once again I took notice of the odd little detail about the women’s mirrors becoming the bronze laver. Except this time a thought popped into my head when I read it. I thought about the purpose of mirrors. They allow us to see ourselves, either for improvement or for vanity. Either way, these innocent little objects put our focus on self. Thus, I see a message in this odd detail of using mirrors to make the wash basin that represents the One who cleanses our souls. When we see the truth about who we are and, as a result, offer ourselves to Jesus, He cleanses and also changes us. What once focused on self now helps up focus on God and reflect His image to others instead of our own.
John 17
We are often afraid of witnessing; of telling people about Jesus. We shouldn’t be. If we are, and I have to claim ‘guilty’ on that plea, it is because we misunderstand a couple of things, or at least fail to take what we know to heart. The first is that our job isn’t to save people. It’s to witness. We are to shine our light on God and reflect His nature so that the world can see and can find the Way to Him. In the farming analogy, we sow seeds and gather in the harvest – those who are ready to receive God.
The other thing we misunderstand is that we truthfully cannot fail in our mission except by failing to show up for it. As I just noted, the hard part is God’s. More than that, though, we can’t fail because Jesus prayed, not only for us as witnesses, but also for those who receive our testimony. “Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am” (Jn. 17:24a). Jesus knows everyone who belongs to Him, and we can bet our life God won’t lose a single one.
Prov. 14
“A truthful witness saves lives” (Pr. 14:25a). As I just mentioned, let’s live our lives in truth, without fear, as faithful witnesses of the God who saves.