Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - Kansas City, Missouri, United States - "Beautiful Brokenness" Tuesday, 27 January 2015 - Scripture: Hebrews 9: Christ’s Great Sacrifice23 These things are only copies of what is in heaven, and so they had to be made holy by these ceremonies. But the real things in heaven must be made holy by something better. 24 This is why Christ did not go into a tent that had been made by humans and was only a copy of the real one. Instead, he went into heaven and is now there with God to help us.
25 Christ did not have to offer himself many times. He wasn’t like a high priest who goes into the most holy place each year to offer the blood of an animal. 26 If he had offered himself every year, he would have suffered many times since the creation of the world. But instead, near the end of time he offered himself once and for all, so that he could be a sacrifice that does away with sin.
27 We die only once, and then we are judged.
"Beautiful Brokenness" by Judyann Grant
A visit to the zoo always includes a stop at the gift shop. With a few dollars to spend, our children zigzag through the aisles, darting from one display to another. Soft stuffed bears, otters, and moose catch their attention, as do rubber snakes and bobble headed mice. I am drawn to the gemstone display. There I find blue agate, gleaming jasper, rich shades of amethyst, opalescent moonstone and silky smooth rose quartz. What captures my interest, though, is a dusty, nondescript geode.
As we depart the grandchildren show me their purchases. When I share mine, they are shocked: “That’s what you bought?” The rock looks unappealing on the outside, but I know the real treasure lay inside.
At home I took a hammer to the geode. After a few blows, the rock splits; revealing a shimmering vein of crystal quartz. Only by breaking the geode can its true beauty be seen.
Only in the Cross can we begin to comprehend the true beauty of Christ’s sacrifice. The beauty of His brokenness serves to make us whole.
Hymn for Today: "When I survey the wondrous cross" by Isaac Watts (1707)
1. When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.
2. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them through his blood.
3. See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?
4. Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.
___________________________
WordAction Publishing Company
Beacon Hill Press
Nazarene Publishing Company
2500 Troost Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64108 United States[Embrace holy living…visit reflectinggod.com.]
____________________________
No comments:
Post a Comment