Hebrews 8 "2

" Here is the main point: We have a High Priest who sat down in the place of honour beside the throne of the majestic God in heaven. 2 There He ministers in the heavenly Tabernacle, the true place of worship that was built by the Lord and not by human hands.

‘There He ministers in the Sacred Tent, the true place of worship that was built by The LORD and not by human hands’

 THE TRUE PLACE OF WORSHIP.

This isolated part of Hebrews 8”2 says so much about our walk with Christ. It implies that there is a fake place of worship that exists. In essence: if there are true places of worship, then there are fake places of worship; and here we have it; The True place of worship is found only in the Sacred Tent of The Most High GOD. Where Jesus is. – When we worship in fake-ness, we are not ministering in the Sacred Temple, we’re not actually ministering at all! We are simply leading on our soul and physical emotions into a state of serene fake-ness. Believing that we are worshiping God when we are not.

Okay I just said a lot there, so let’s break down those statements in order to make it more clear.

Okay, to the word ‘Ministering’ in the original Greek that Hebrews was written in (don’t get confused) is διακονέω or diakoneó: to serve, minister.

In looking at this verse through this light we see that Jesus, even after His Glorification is still serving, this just throws Hebrews13”8 at me which says: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever’. The qualities of compassion that He showed here on earth can never change because He holds His word above His name (~Psalm 138”2). Meaning that His character hasn’t changed as a result of Him being glorified and anointed above all things (~Hebrews1”8, 9). The compassionate and loving Jesus who asked a Samaritan woman for water JOHN4”7 is the same Jesus who sits at the right hand of God this moment as we speak (or read/type… etc.)HEBREWS1”13. And if we are to be like Jesus (which is the whole point of living) we are also called to minister unto God.  1SAMUEL12”24 says:

But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.

And this verse was taken from the Old Testament t, before the CROSS. – hello!? How much more now are we to serve God and keep His law of love in our hearts?

So … you ask, how we minister to Him.

By entering into His Sacred Tent. The Sacred Tent concept originates from the Laws of Moses, and how they would build a Temples of God wherever they went to symbolise His presence there with them.

This is all explained in Hebrews 8, but in essence: there was an Outer Court, and Inner Court and the Holy of Holies- the place where God resided. That was the place that only one high priest could enter into once a year to offer God sacrifices on behalf of the people.

Obviously, this is no longer how things operate – thank God for His inclusiveness and mercy so that anyone, anywhere can enter unto this Sacred place in a heart of sincere faith and belief in Him as God and personal Saviour .

What does this mean in terms of worship  ( and this is what it all comes down to) :

 JOHN4”23,24: "But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24"God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." 

(This verse was actually taken from when He was talking to thee Samaritan Woman!)

God wants people whose heart is to please Him.

Now I don’t get this right, sometimes I’, say: at church in praise and worship, and I know myself that I only worship Him in Spirit and in Truth for about 2mins out of the whole 30. Because you just know when you reach that place: the world falls away, and your mind is completely connected to God – you’re thinking of nothing and no one else!

But it doesn’t have to be in Church, and that leads on to the next part of the verse:

‘…that was built by The LORD and not by human hands’

This place can be accessed anywhere, it is not a geographical location, more like a Spiritual destination, a true place of perfect peace, where your mind is stayed on Him.

It doesn’t have to be loud, most of the time (for me, at least) I am completely silent. Eyes closed. And I just feel my inner self – My Spirit radiating within me, and taking over myself – it’s hard to describe.

But I want to experience more of this.

Let our prayers be to focus on Him more than ever before, so that we may be led, by His Spirit into the place of perfect peace, and into His Sacred Tent

IMTAPA
(In my thoughts and prayaers always)

Luke Chap. 2.

Okay, so we are officially on chapter 2 of Luke, and we’ve just so happened to come across the Christmas story JUST as we are entering into the Christmas season. No this was not planned, however it’s definitely timely.

Chapter 2 really sets the scene of the time, by making reference to the Roman Empire: ~LUKE2”1 ‘At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman empire.’ The lesson  learnt from this was:

When it’s the will of God, and you have a heart for God, things will fall in place.

Augustus had no idea that he was part of the Orchestration of Gods plan to see His Son down to earth. He was actually quite-the arrogant man, like most of the Roman Emperors, he allowed himself to be worshiped as a God. And he did not fear the true Living God.

In other words … he’s not on our team.

But that did not stop God using him to perfect His plans and purposes.  The prophet Micah wrote about the geographical location where The Messiah would be placed on earth :

‘But you O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village in Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant path.’  ~MICAH5”2

The little town of Bethlehem was chosen to be the center of the World for one night and  eternity.

Why?

Because ‘… God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who THINK they are wise …so that no one can ever boast in His presence’ 1COR1”27+29.

-          We think we are wise , and we think we know it all , when the truth is … humans don’t even know everything about the human body, the entire concept of science is trying to get our heads around these things, we don’t know a 1/10th of our galaxy . - What makes us humans think we can try to understand The One – Our God who created it all?

I’ve seen this a lot in the Bible, the stories that I have heard from childhood, and the personalities behind many of the characters, all carry similar themes.

 God uses the small, the weak, the outcast and the unexpected to change the world. I have previously spoken about the disciples, they were just ordinary people (look here for more on them). David was thrown out onto the fields every day, Ruth was a widow, Esther an orphan, and these are just some of the people God loves to use.

Now if you consider yourself privileged, don't think your out of the equation.

 God looks at the heart, and I guess its just that people who have experienced broken moments in their life realise their incapability, weaknesses, and their need for God more than many others.

~ Its the spirit that God looks for , and that is one of humility.

"A meek and a contrite [humble] heart, O God, You will not refuse"

-PSALMS51"17

 We must strive and earnestly have faith to be the sort of people who will never claim glory for themselves, but will always...and I mean ALWAYS direct it back to God because Jesus is the reason for all good things.

-          And don’t you forget it.

 This is also emphasised by the next section in the chapter which focuses on the Shepherds – the first group of people to come and see Baby Jesus! – Now. If fishermen were at-all looked down on in 5BC (or thereabouts...) then Shepherds were really looked down on. They were minding their own and working in the night when suddenly a breakthrough from heaven to earth appears outta-nowhere!

 ~ LUKE2”9 ‘… They were terribly frightened’ (you betcha). But here we see the amazing hand of God, reaching out to the (probably) socially rejected men who were just doing their job. And God is in that business. He loves surprising those who feel like their lives are plain and mundane. He loves humility and the humble hearts of shepherd men were perfect.

 They came to see Baby Jesus and told Mary and Joseph about what they had seen … the next verse, is one that I love: ‘but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often.’ (“19) What an amazing girl! She was incredibly sensitive to the Spirit of God and remembered all that she had been told over the past year or so. I really think we should take this on, when small but significant things happen in our lives, we must not forget God, His promises, and His word. They are life and are important for our lives!

As you know the Jewish nation is one that firmly holds on to their traditions and customs, and it started way-back. On the 8th day after Jesus was born, it was time for the purification offering (“21) and so Jesus’ parents, Mary and Joseph went to present Him to The LORD at the temple.

This next section shows so wonderfully how faithful God is in His word. LUKE 2”25: ‘At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

29“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,
As you have promised..PSAMLS33”4 says: For the word of the LORD is right and true; He is faithful in all he does. (NIV) – And it’s because He is! In verse 26, we see how the Holy Spirit had promised Simeon that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. And for sure, God did not let his time come until he held Jesus. It’s impossible for God to lie, and this is clear evidence that His words are true. NUMBERS23”19 

Now the last two sections are so amazing to read, they are the last couple of verse we know that look into the life of Jesus growing up as a child. I wish we knew more – but the Bible gives us all that we need to know for salvation. 40 'There The Child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favour was on Him.'

     Jesus was not an ordinary Child – far from it. Here we see that God blessed Him growing up and He was :

-         * Healthy

-         * Strong

-         * Full of wisdom

-          *(and) Special Favour

*** These qualities are prayers that we can all pray for ourselves and the people around us growing-up. That they will have health, be strong and have wisdom and favour of God Almighty.

Now … for the big moment.

The first words Jesus says (that are written down for us ;)  -  ( when basically Jesus stays on in Jerusalem after a feast talking to the Teachers in the Temple and His Parents are looking for Him)

‘But why did you need to search?’

Why DO YOU need to search?

Jesus is right here, calling for those from every corner of the earth to join Him in His Kingdom that has no end.

That’s right. No end. Ever.

(“49) “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50But they didn’t understand what he meant.

51Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.

52Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favour with God and all the people.

“49 – God’s presence is where we need to be, and by this I don’t mean going to Church every Sunday (though sadly, that is the only place many of those who are saved ever receive the filling of God’s presence) It can be anywhere, when you open up your heart to Him, and ask Him to get rid of the distractions, sin and clutter; and make space for Him to reside. His presence will be with you forever:

“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” MATT28”29

“51 – Obey those God has put around you - ie : your guardians and parents “This is the first of the Ten Commandments that ends with a promise”EPHESIANS6”1-3.

I am in awe, Of Jesus’ ability to obey and surrender to the authority of two people that He made.

 – This fact really helped me through my 'teen-why-is-my-mum-so-strict' phase. If Jesus, The Creator of the universe can obey His mum (who was not divine, so was imperfect). Then so could I.

And for the second time in this chapter, we see the wonderful nature of Mary, the mother of Jesus keep in her heart everything that is taking place in her Child's life.

In a similar way. Take to heart what I have shared with you today. And I hope it will be an addition to the growing insight into God’s word that we all want to know and discover.

IMTAPA Xx

In my thoughts and prayers always xxx

(PS: It is also my prayer that you grow in wisdom, stature and in favour with God and all people.)