For a full description of the (Y4) reading plan, see the “About” page.
Ex. 29
This whole consecration process was no small thing! As I read through the very extensive, detailed, repetitive process, I got to thinking about having to do all of this stuff day after day, multiple times a year for years on end. All so that God could dwell among them. As I pondered the weight of it all, I really began to get the sense of what Jesus meant when He said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30).
John 8
People like the ‘softer’ side of God. They are quick to use statements like, “Come as you are.” And they stress truths such as Jesus’ acceptance of even the lowest of sinners, God’s desire that nobody should perish, and the fact that Jesus’ death paid the price for every sin that ever was or will be. While all of these things are true, they are clearly only part of the story.
Jesus did indeed have compassion on the adulterous woman at the start of this chapter. Instead of condemnation, which she deserved, He offered her grace. As He did so, however, He told her, “Go. From now on sin no more.” (Jn. 8:11b). Yes, He received and accepted her as she was. And yes, He willingly forgave her sin. But the other, equally relevant half of, “Come as you are” is, “Leave changed.” We see it again in what He said to those who believed in Him. “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine” (Jn. 9:31b).
The other aspect of all of this that people choose to ignore is that, “Come as you are” requires you to come. You have to turn to Jesus, which means you have to turn away from self. God’s compassion, forgiveness, mercy, grace, and salvation are indeed available to everyone. However, as Jesus made perfectly clear throughout this chapter, not everyone receives them. As He said, “for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” (Jn. 8:24b).
God is perfect, both in mercy and in judgment; in grace and condemnation. We can’t take one without the other. And we need to understand that His true gift to us isn’t a clean slate. A few dead animals could take care of that. Rather, His true gift to us is a changed life and a new heart. He gives us the means to throw away that slate and not have to keep score any more.
Prov. 5
“She does not ponder the path of life” (Pr. 5:6a). The thought that popped into my head when I read that this morning is, “Well, if she doesn’t, then I should!” Which is exactly why I do what I do here. Pondering the path of life, abiding in Christ, setting my mind on things above…these are all the same thing. It is about being intentional with the life I live and the choices I make. It has to do with living out that changed life with the new heart that I just mentioned. I daily ponder the path of life so that I can continue in Christ’s word as His true disciple and know the God who desired to dwell with me.