So I heard a Bible story the other day I have heard my entire life. The thing was that I had missed some very significant symbolism. I couldn't believe that I had never heard this mentioned before, or that I had never thought of it myself.
The story is the story of Abraham being asked by God to sacrifice his son. I had always looked at it as a story of faith and God's intervention. But this day, I heard it as a story reflecting Christ. Here's how it went:
Sin must be paid for-in blood. God said that Issac would need to be sacrificed, and so the plan went ahead like that...but only God knew what He had planned. Just as it looked desperate and hopeless, God sent this sort of message from Heaven; "WAIT! You don't have to sacrifice Issac. Look, I have provided the sacrifice; Issac may go free." Wow. I had never thought of that; never dug into that and taken the time to see what else the story reflects about God's love and His character. I wonder how many more examples lie within scripture that highlight things beyond the obvious...that whisper of God's grace, love, and mercy...I intend to spend the rest of my days finding out, one at a time. :)
One other story I'm familiar with, as well as most, but I just thought of a different aspect the other day. Well, maybe not even that...I spent time basking in a particular thought. It is the story of the Prodigal Son. I heard another sermon that mentioned the father running to the boy, and then I let my thoughts wander on God, my Heavenly Father. I thought of all the sin my life has accumulated to this point; thought of how dirty, nasty, and ugly it makes me, and then pictured myself running from Him who can wash it all clean. Why do we do that anyway? Our first instinct is to run and hide when we sin. I know it is how it all started in the garden; and what a trick of the enemy indeed! Run from the one thing we need; the one thing that can fix us eternally.
I pictured running until I had exhausted every vile thing I thought would fill my life and then realizing, as Solomon did, it was all for nothing; worthless. A "chasing after the wind." I thought about what the walk back to God would be like. How humbling, right? "Hey...I went and did what you didn't want me to and lost everything. Take me back?" I mean, seriously, what would that have been like?
Oh, but then...then I pictured Him running out to meet me...so full of joy that I turned to Him for love...so full of joy at my recognition and submission to the fact that I NEED Him. He runs to me-the spotless lamb RUNS to my filthy self. And why? To embrace me. To love me. To forgive me. He just wants me. And then what? Oh then comes a celebration. Not a guilt trip, not a "pay back for your wrong", not a lecture...love and celebration. Is there a time for the other? Sure. But I think we forget this part more often. He runs to me, wraps His arms around me and welcomes me back with a celebration party.
That is a love I NEVER want to forget or take for granted. It is one I want to learn how to mimic and share...one I want to grow inside of me, and one I want to embrace every day.
The story is the story of Abraham being asked by God to sacrifice his son. I had always looked at it as a story of faith and God's intervention. But this day, I heard it as a story reflecting Christ. Here's how it went:
Sin must be paid for-in blood. God said that Issac would need to be sacrificed, and so the plan went ahead like that...but only God knew what He had planned. Just as it looked desperate and hopeless, God sent this sort of message from Heaven; "WAIT! You don't have to sacrifice Issac. Look, I have provided the sacrifice; Issac may go free." Wow. I had never thought of that; never dug into that and taken the time to see what else the story reflects about God's love and His character. I wonder how many more examples lie within scripture that highlight things beyond the obvious...that whisper of God's grace, love, and mercy...I intend to spend the rest of my days finding out, one at a time. :)
One other story I'm familiar with, as well as most, but I just thought of a different aspect the other day. Well, maybe not even that...I spent time basking in a particular thought. It is the story of the Prodigal Son. I heard another sermon that mentioned the father running to the boy, and then I let my thoughts wander on God, my Heavenly Father. I thought of all the sin my life has accumulated to this point; thought of how dirty, nasty, and ugly it makes me, and then pictured myself running from Him who can wash it all clean. Why do we do that anyway? Our first instinct is to run and hide when we sin. I know it is how it all started in the garden; and what a trick of the enemy indeed! Run from the one thing we need; the one thing that can fix us eternally.
I pictured running until I had exhausted every vile thing I thought would fill my life and then realizing, as Solomon did, it was all for nothing; worthless. A "chasing after the wind." I thought about what the walk back to God would be like. How humbling, right? "Hey...I went and did what you didn't want me to and lost everything. Take me back?" I mean, seriously, what would that have been like?
Oh, but then...then I pictured Him running out to meet me...so full of joy that I turned to Him for love...so full of joy at my recognition and submission to the fact that I NEED Him. He runs to me-the spotless lamb RUNS to my filthy self. And why? To embrace me. To love me. To forgive me. He just wants me. And then what? Oh then comes a celebration. Not a guilt trip, not a "pay back for your wrong", not a lecture...love and celebration. Is there a time for the other? Sure. But I think we forget this part more often. He runs to me, wraps His arms around me and welcomes me back with a celebration party.
That is a love I NEVER want to forget or take for granted. It is one I want to learn how to mimic and share...one I want to grow inside of me, and one I want to embrace every day.
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