Like many, I'd rather move along past the grimness of good Friday, and jump forward to the joyous celebration on Sunday. But really, there would be no reason to rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus if we didn't first have to witness His death…
The beautiful parallel between God's one time rescuing of His people during Passover and His ultimate rescue of His people through death on the cross brings me to a place of awe every time I consider it.
Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it [the lamb] at twilight. And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it.
…For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgement: I am the Lord. Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you…
Exodus 12:6-7,12-13
For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight.
Colossians 1:19-22
"When I see the blood, I will pass over you."
The blood of a lamb saved a nation.
"He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight."
…knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last timesfor you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory,so that your faith and hope are in God.
I posted this video on my Facebook wall a few months ago. I loved it.And I still do. I love this simple explanation of how we can enjoy the gifts of God.
When we are pursuing God, all of the gifts in our lives can be just that. Gifts. Blessings. Its a very simple truth.
The problem comes when we detour from pursuing God to pursuing the gift. Whatever it may be…it can be a good thing. But when we put it in the place of God it's no longer good.
Lately I've been struggling. Restless. Feeling the need for change. The need for purpose in my days and intention in what I do. At the same time, lazy and unmotivated to really do anything.
A frustrating place to be.
But in little bits, I think what's needed is becoming clear.
Saturday night, browsing through blogs, a little motivational piece of art caught my eye. These were the words that drew my attention:
Facebook does not love you. It's great to connect there.
But you will leave it feeling more empty.
Address what it is that you're numbing.
I was stirred by these words, but it was late and I didn't think too long and hard about it. Just kind of mentally tucked it away to consider later.
Yesterday, as we listened to a Bible study, the pastor was speaking of Jesus coming to deliver us from this present evil age. (Galatians1)
His example of the evil age: an age in which we are drawn to loving creation more than our Creator.
He said when we do this, we are never satisfied, so we are led to self-medicate in all sorts of ways.
(Like numbing ourselves with Facebook?)
He went on to make the point that Jesus came to free us from worshiping something that never satisfies us and always leaves us looking for more.
And not only that, Jesus came to free us to worship Him; to be free to seek and find the satisfaction we so desperately long for.
So what does this have to do with idols?
Back to the video with Noel Piper… she says when we go after the things in creation instead of going after God, then that becomes idolatry.
Would I consider myself an idolater? No.
But, if an idol is something you worship in place of God, then am I an idolater? Yes.
What are the idols that draw my worship?
A clean house. A healthy, homemade meal. An accomplished day. A task list with all of the tasks crossed off. A family that loves and enjoys one another. A faithful and loving marriage.
Being patient and kind. Being a supportive and gracious wife. Being a fun and inspiring mother. Being a faithful friend. Being a follower of Jesus.
Idols do not always look like wicked little gremlin creatures that make you feel like they might be out to torture your soul.
Idols can be good, beautiful things. Wonderful things. Noble things. God-honoring things.
But the moment I shift from pursing Jesus with all of my heart to pursuing one of these good things, I have erected an idol that I will bow down before. I will seek satisfaction in something other than Jesus.
And I will never be satisfied.
I haven't turned down some dark treacherous path in my life lately. I'm not making foolish, destructive decisions that will destroy my life and leave me empty. No shocking secrets here.
But, whether it be blamed on laziness, distraction or just simple unawareness, I have been chasing idols.
Even though I haven't thought of it in those terms until now, I have known what I was doing. As I've chased after one thing or another, I've known from the start of pursuit that it was not going to end with joy.
Still I chase. Why?
Only Jesus satisfies. I know this. Absolutely know.
Yet I trick myself into believing that good things are worth my pursuit. Worth giving my heart to. As long as I pursue those things I'm never satisfied. Never.