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Ex. 25
God commanded Moses, “Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them.” (Ex 25:8). We know that this sanctuary and all that was in it is a shadow of Christ. As amazing as that is, I see that there is actually more to it than just that. The entire sanctuary system represents both the person and the work of Jesus. We see all that He gives and does for us in it. He gives us life, cleansing, sacrifice, atonement, fellowship with God, light and understanding, and so much more. However, the really cool extra layer of depth in it all is that God had the people build it.
Thus, at the same time God shows us what Christ does for us, He shows us that our efforts to do those same things come up way too short. The sanctuary system itself – the building and everything associated with it – not only failed to save anybody, but ultimately faced the same destruction as the hands that built it all. That’s because everything about the sanctuary system was based on man’s efforts. Could there be any clearer message that Jesus is the only way?
John 4
I have a few observations this morning about Jesus’ interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well.
- Jesus said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” (Jn. 4:10). If you knew, you would have. Jesus knew this woman’s heart because, sadly, that statement would not have been true of everybody. There were many who knew, or should have known, who Jesus was, yet still they rejected Him. The same is true today.
- The woman accepted what Jesus knew of her. She did not get defiant or offended at the truth about herself. She knew exactly what she was, which is why I believe she was open to what Jesus offered.
- When she said to Jesus, “I know that Messiah is coming” (from Jn. 4:25), her words held a genuinely expectant hope. I believe that’s why Jesus plainly revealed Himself to her. She sought, and so she found.
- “So the woman left her waterpot, and went into the city…” (Jn. 4:28a). The event preceding that “so” is the disciples’ arrival. None of them commented regarding her, and that was the point when she went to the city to testify. It reads as though their unexpected acceptance of her interaction with Jesus is the immediate cause of her sudden boldness. Perhaps their behavior served as the final straw of evidence that Jesus was who He said He was. Clearly He had a life-changing impact on these Jewish men who should have immediately rejected her. So if Jesus could change their lives, why not hers? And why not the people of the city who also rejected her? It makes me wonder if my life ever serves as that final straw to someone seeking to believe.
Prov. 1
The collection of wise sayings known as the book of Proverbs starts with a short section on their purpose. This section starts and ends with a comment concerning wisdom and instruction. “To know wisdom and instruction” (Pr. 1:2a) is the opening line of the purpose statement. A breakdown of what that means and who benefits from it follows. The entire statement then ends with the comment, “Fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Pr. 1:7b). Immediately prior to that final comment is the foundation for the entire purpose statement. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge” (Pr. 1:7a). Want to benefit from wisdom and instruction? Fear the LORD. There can be no wisdom apart from God, so to despise one is to despise the other, which is foolishness.