FOURTH WEEK OF LENT ......... FRIDAY 08.04.11
JOHN 7:1-2. 10. 25-30 THEY WOULD HAVE ARRESTED HIM, BUT HIS TIME HAD NOT YET COME.
The Jews celebrated the Feast of the Tabernacles for 7 days to commemorate the wilderness sojourn of their ancestors in the Sinai desert. In those days Moses was their leader and God miraculously provided for his people their everyday needs and sustenance. The people moved across the desert for 40 years living in Tents ( Tabernacles ). But the people rebelled because of their unbelief in God's Promise and as God's punishment none of them entered the Promised Land except Joshua and Caleb who were found faithful.
Jesus is greater than Moses and he is God's Messiah. The Jews refused to believe in him even after hearing John's witness and seeing Jesus' many miracles which demonstrate that He has been 'sent' by God. Jesus like Moses came to liberate us from the bondage of Sin and Satan. But the Jews later had him crucified due to unbelief. As God's punishment and as foretold, the Jewish Nation was completely destroyed in 70 AD and the people were scattered to the four corners of the world. This Lenten season reminds us of our own personal struggles in this wilderness of life where we are on a journey to the Eternal City of God. God has been mercifully taking care of us, even though many a time we have fallen in sin, grumbled, stubborn, rebelled and backtracked. God's patience is infinite but his severe retribution is also certain to come. But then, God in the person of Jesus is full of compassion and is gently reminding us to look to him for spiritual strength and encouragement in Mathew 11:28-30...
"Are you tired ? Worn out ? Burned out on religion ? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me ---- watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
(As paraphrased in The Message Bible)
We shall walk this wilderness by His grace and power.
God Bless
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