This week's theme is a variation of the old proverb: 'you can take a horse to water but you can't make it drink!' The Israelites are free from Pharaoh's tyranny but they still act like slaves. Exodus 13.17-18 are interesting verses for understanding the Exodus. God took the Hebrew people a circuitous route to the promised land: the direct route would have taken them through Philistine territory. At the first sight of opposition, they would have wanted to return to Egypt. Slavery had more appeal than an uncertain future. They had become institutionalised - and the institution was slavery. For us, it is more likely that the way of faith will challenge us than offer us an easy road.
I preached at Kings (New Frontiers/ChristCentral) Church here in Cockermouth this morning. They have been working through Romans of late, so I made a connection with chapter 8 with Paul's emphasis on the freedom to be found in Christ, as adopted sons and daughters of the living God. No longer slaves to fear. It's as if we become institutionalised within our humanity and turn back from the 'adventure of obedience' to Christ.
God gave the Ten Commandments to enable the Hebrews to break free from slavery: a new way of living, along with the various festivals and observances which would give them a new rhythm of life. For Christians, we live by grace rather than by law: the grace which places us within a new relationship with the living God. Why not begin each day with a simple act of prayer: 'Father God, I stand before you today as your beloved child. Help me to live this day as one who stands to inherit all that you have promised your children in Christ.' Against all odds, walking by faith, we will survive - and more: we will learn what it means to be alive. (p53)
No comments:
Post a Comment