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Bread and Oil

Scripture Focus: Exodus 25.23, 30
23 “Make a table of acacia wood—two cubits long, a cubit wide and a cubit and a half high. 24 Overlay it with pure gold and make a gold molding around it…30 Put the bread of the Presence on this table to be before me at all times. 

Exodus 27.20-21
20 “Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning. 21 In the tent of meeting, outside the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law, Aaron and his sons are to keep the lamps burning before the Lord from evening till morning. This is to be a lasting ordinance among the Israelites for the generations to come.

Reflection: Bread and Oil
By John Tillman

Every ordinance and ornamentation in the Tabernacle, and in the Temples that followed it, were weighty not just with gold but with symbolism.

We will focus on two—oil and bread. The oil and the bread are both, in their own way, symbols of God’s presence.

The lampstands and the oil were instrumental in shining out the light of God’s presence into the courtyard. Isaiah and John both tell us that, eventually in Heaven, the Lord will be our “everlasting light” and no lamps will be needed for there will be no more night. (Isaiah 60.19-20; Revelation 22.5) 

Like Israel, we aren’t there yet. We live in the shadowy now, where night is always coming and shadows grow long. We live in a world that needs light.

The bread is symbolic of God as the source of life. Jesus was likely thinking of this bread when he said that he was the bread of life, the true manna from heaven. (John 6.57-58) Many disciples left Jesus because of this difficult teaching, but Peter recognized and explained that it was Jesus’ teachings, the words that he gave them, that were life.

For the priests and the people, bread represented that God’s words were the sustenance of life that the community needed. As Jesus would say to Satan in the desert, we live by words from the mouth of God. The lamps, faithfully tended and lit each evening, represented that God’s light was with them in the darkness. 

In the Tabernacle and the Temples, only priests could eat the bread or tend the lamps. But Jesus tore down the curtains and barriers. We are each a temple of the Holy Spirit. We are all priests serving under Jesus, our high priest. 

The bread and the oil remind us that we have a responsibility to to partake of the wisdom of God so we may shine in the darkness. 

We are both eligible to stand in the light and responsible to shine it.
We are eligible to partake in the bread and to waft its fragrance to others and invite them in.

We must keep our lamps lit, faithfully bringing the oil.
We must partake in the bread that is true life, the word of God.

We need to make Jesus’ words our food. He is the true bread of life. 

“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6.68)

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence
May God be merciful to us and bless us, show us the light of his countenance and come to us. — Psalm 67.1

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

Today’s Reading
Exodus 25 (Listen 4:20)
Luke 7 (Listen 7:14)

Read more about Manna or the Man?
What are our motives for pursuing Jesus? Do we want the man or just the manna?

Manna or the Man?

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Blessing and Woes — A Guided Prayer

Scripture Focus: Luke 6.24-26
24 “But woe to you who are rich, 
for you have already received your comfort. 
25 Woe to you who are well fed now, 
for you will go hungry. 
Woe to you who laugh now, 
for you will mourn and weep. 
26 Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, 
for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.

Reflection: Blessing and Woes — A Guided Prayer
By John Tillman

Luke’s Beatitudes strike a sharper tone than Matthew’s because Luke pairs them with a mirrored set of woes. Where Matthew mentions that we are like the prophets of old when we are treated poorly, Luke adds the woeful warning that when we are treated well, we are like the false prophets of old.

Pray Luke’s Beatitudes through the rest of this week. Hear God speaking to you in both parts of the prayer.

A Prayer of Blessings and Woes
Lord help us press onward through the blessing of being poor, of being hungry, of weeping, of being hated, excluded, insulted, and rejected. There is blessing in the pain of the journey and surpassing joy on the other side.

Blessed are you who are poor,
    for yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who hunger now,
    for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
    for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when people hate you,
    when they exclude you and insult you
    and reject your name as evil,
        because of the Son of Man.

Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.

May we take heed of the woes we are subject to. May we not deny that we are rich, that we are comfortable, that we are well-fed, that we laugh, and are spoken well of. There is comfort now in acclaim and acceptance, but there is woe and destruction if we turn away from the path of Christ.

But woe to you who are rich,
    for you have already received your comfort.
Woe to you who are well fed now,
    for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
    for you will mourn and weep.
Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you,
    for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons
“Because the needy are oppressed, and the poor cry out in misery, I will rise up,” says the Lord, “And give them the help they long for.” — Psalm 12.5

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

Today’s Reading
Exodus 24 (Listen 2:48)
Luke 6 (Listen 6:46)

Read more about Seeing God in the Wilderness
Christ extends his hand, inviting us to a joy-filled city, in which the God of creation waits to dine with us.

Seeing God in the Wilderness :: A Guided Prayer

Read more about Woken by Woe
Amos, Jesus, and other prophets employ the ominous tone of, “woe” to get the attention of their audiences.

Woken by Woe

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A Rebellion of Repentance

Scripture Focus: Luke 3.10-14
10 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked.
11 John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”
13 “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.
14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”
He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.” 

Reflection: A Rebellion of Repentance
By John Tillman

John the Baptizer was considered a prophet by the people, even though he did no “signs.” The only signs anyone ever got from John were the tongue-lashing of his teaching, his testimony about Jesus, and his sacramental baptism of repentance.

John was so outside the norms of his society that enemies said he “had a demon.” (Matthew 11.18) He rejected the cushy religious establishment and embraced radical asceticism, rejecting the typical comforts people associated with being blessed. He even rejected the comfortable teaching that, as children of Abraham, the Jews could smugly rely on God’s continued blessing.

If John’s person and message were so discomforting, how was he so popular? Why did the sinful, like Herod, like to listen to him? Of course, he had enemies, but even after his death, the religious leaders didn’t dare to slight him. (Mark 11.31-33)

John’s teaching had barbs of uncomfortable truth but also had hope. John acknowledged that the world was full of snakes but the snake-crusher was coming. (Genesis 3.15) The orchard was stricken with blight, but the axe was about to swing and the fruitless would be cut down.

People wanted to be on the side of the snake-crusher, not the snakes. They wanted the axe-swinger to notice their fruit and spare them. “What should we do?” they asked.

We might expect this crazed, desert preacher to recommend they quit their jobs, flee the city, and live in the desert eating bugs and honey. We expect him to tell the tax collectors, “Your job supports a corrupt empire’s financial system! Quit!” We expect the soldiers to hear, “Stop enforcing the evil laws of the empire!” We expect the downtrodden crowd to hear, “Rebel against the government! Join the uprising!” Instead, all John’s commands are financial in nature and they all involve staying IN the world.

“Don’t cheat. Keep working, even as part of the empire, but with integrity. Don’t steal. Keep bringing order to chaos through the law, but without abuse of power. Be foolishly generous. Be near the impoverished and help them.”

The repentance John describes is a rebellion more radical than violent insurrection. Rebellion out of hate only destroys. John’s rebellion of repentance is motivated by love that longs to restore what is right. The snake-crushing, axe-wielding one is coming. Allies of the snake-crusher will show fruitful repentance that brings justice, fairness, and abundance to the needy.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Morning Psalm
Turn from evil, and do good; and dwell in the land forever.
For the Lord loves justice; he does not forsake his faithful ones.
They shall be kept safe forever, but the offspring of the wicked shall be destroyed.
The righteous shall possess the land and dwell in it forever.
The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and their tongue speaks what is right.
The law of their God is in their heart, and their footsteps shall not falter. — Psalm 37.28-33

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

Today’s Reading
Exodus 21 (Listen 4:44)
Luke 3 (Listen 5:24)

This Weekend’s Reading
Exodus 22 (Listen 4:44) Luke 4 (Listen 5:27)
Exodus 23 (Listen 4:44) Luke 5 (Listen 5:04)

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Our culture is radically expansionist…we are pressured to justify our existence. “You aren’t enough the way you are now. Become more.”

Become More by Becoming Less

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King on the Mountain, King on the Cross

Scripture Focus: Exodus 20.18-23
18 When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance 19 and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.” 
20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” 
21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. 

22 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites this: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven: 23 Do not make any gods to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold. 

Luke 23.38-43
38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews. 
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 
40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 
42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 
43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” 

Reflection: King on the Mountain, King on the Cross
By John Tillman

God presents himself to the former slaves as a glorious heavenly king.

There are many linguistic similarities between ancient vassal treaties between kings and subjects and the covenant language given to Moses. God tends to speak to us using language we are familiar with. 

Moses calls this a test. Will the people be faithful to this king? Will they trust God? Will they become God’s “firstborn son” that he calls them to become? (Exodus 4.22) The desert experience and hundreds of years of judges and kings would prove that Israel would fail to live up to the covenant until God sent the true “firstborn son” to fulfill the covenant. 

Israel fell into sin in the desert. Jesus would resist sin in the desert. Everything that Israel had lost or failed to do, Jesus would accomplish, including being a light to the Gentile nations.

When Jesus was on the cross, Pilate wrote “King of the Jews” and placed the sign over Christ’s head. The religious leaders objected to this. They did not want this naked, abused, bleeding man to be called their king. They wanted the intimidating king from the mountain, not the homeless carpenter from Nazareth.

If only their eyes could be opened and ours as well. The king on the mountain and king on the cross are the same king. 

The king from the exalted mountain, was exalted on the cross.
The king on the mountain demanded righteousness. The king on the cross provided it.
The king on the mountain made it a holy place by his presence. The king on the cross made it a holy altar by his blood.

Our God is a king, unlike other kings. 
Israel expected a king fitted for war. He came fitted to serve. 
They expected a king observing their laws. He came pointing out their sins.
They expected a king to cast out the Romans. He cast out the moneychangers.
They expected a king to banish the cursed outcasts and sinners. He brought them in and blessed them.
This is the kind of kingdom God is building because it is the only kind of kingdom we could be allowed into, sinners that we are.

The days of peering at God on a distant mountain top are over. Now, Jesus calls us close to his cross that he may save us and take us into his kingdom. (Hebrews 12.18-24)

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence
O god of hosts, show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. — Psalm 80.7

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

Today’s Reading
Exodus 20 (Listen 3:21)
Luke 2(Listen 6:11)

Read more about Unveiled
Seeing the glory of God can be discomforting. But Moses and Israel hadn’t seen anything yet…

Unveiled — Readers’ Choice

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A Hedge of Protection?

Scripture Focus: Exodus 19:10-12
10 And the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes 11 and be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death.

Reflection: A Hedge of Protection?
By Erin Newton

We tend to think of rules as a means to kill joy. Limitations on our freedom are viewed negatively. So what does it mean when God puts a boundary around himself?

For three months, the Hebrews followed the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. God guided them, protected them.

At Sinai, the mountain was covered by the cloud. To prepare to meet God, the people consecrated themselves and a boundary was set. Their approach to God was limited, like God placing boundaries on the sea, “This far you may come and no farther” (Job 38.11).

Since the Fall of creation, the relationship between God and humanity has been fettered by restrictions. Every encounter required shielding and protection. Was this boundary and the command to kill anyone who crossed the line a reflection of an angry God? Was God trying to avoid contact with people he found so repulsive?

No, we find quite the opposite in the boundaries set by God. It is not from annoyance or repulsion or anger that God separated himself from them. It was out of love.

God asked Moses to create a boundary so no one would get too close to his presence. He threatened severe punishment to help them take this request seriously.

He yearns to be near them, so much so he will build a traveling abode for his presence. But when the people are going to be close to Him, precautions must be taken. He is holy and they are not. He is unblemished and they are covered in guilt. He is perfect and they are imperfect. The two entities cannot coexist. Out of love, God set boundaries to his presence.

I’m always awe-struck when I read about the presence of God in the Old Testament. The patience and diligence required to approach God is enough to frustrate our instant gratification. Through love, they approached God as he commanded—for their own sake.

With Jesus, everything changed. People could look into his face. Touch his robe. Feel his pierced hands. Lay their heads upon his chest. Listen to his voice. Watch him cry.
With Christ, there are no longer any limitations.

Today, we prepare our hearts and consecrate our lives as we approach God in prayer and worship. But we do not fear his wrath. Our access to God is without boundaries and without fear. Praise be to God!

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence
Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.
Indeed, our heart rejoices in him, for in his holy Name we put our trust.
Let your loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, as we have put our trust in you. — Psalm 33.20-22

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

Today’s Reading
Exodus 19 (Listen 4:04)
Luke 1.39-80 (Listen 9:26)

Read more about Prepared to Meet God
The ominous phrase, “Prepare to meet your God,” is meant to strike fear. Yet, this changed with the incarnation of Jesus.

Prepared to Meet God

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