the two questions of Pentecost

Posted on October 29, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0202Acts 2

When Jesus poured out his Holy Spirit on the believers at Pentecost, a special miracle happened.  Jews who were drawn to the commotion heard the gospel being proclaimed in their vernacular heart-languages.  They were amazed and perplexed, and asked …

“What does this mean?”

Peter answered that in these last days God is going to pour out his Holy Spirit – not on a precious few prophets – but on all flesh.  All of God’s people are going to know and have opportunity to testify about what he wants.  The message of the gospel of Christ, raised and reigning, is the meaning of Pentecost.

“What shall we do?”

Peter challenged all who were gripped with the reality of the crucified and risen Christ to repent and be baptized.  The church is the only answer for a sinful world who recognizes the authority of a risen Savior.  A church who devotes herself to teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread and the prayers – this is the church who has found the answer to the question “what shall we do?”

LORD, may we live out the answers to the two questions of Pentecost.

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fleeing the land of the north

Posted on October 29, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1945bZechariah 1:18-2:13

Those who scattered Judah will themselves be shaken, and the people will return to a city protected by the LORD himself.  Those who have been living in Babylon are told to flee from that land of the north, and escape to Zion.

Where are you living today?  Are you at home in the LORD’s land, or do you live in the land of Babylon?  You cannot stay on that foreign soil.  The LORD is about to judge it.  Escape to the LORD’s protected city.

LORD, we have been living in Babylon too long.  Give us the courage to escape it, before it is too late.

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horse patrol

Posted on October 28, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1921Zechariah 1:1-17

The four horses of Zechariah may represent the races of the nations surrounding Jerusalem and Judah.  Their riders go out in each direction, spying out the lands.  They see that the Gentile nations are at rest.  They report this back to the man riding the first red horse, who may be the angel representing Judah itself.  There are actually only three different colors, and these might represent the various descendants of the three sons of Noah.  The point is that the surrounding nations are at rest, and Judah is not.  God is going to change that.

LORD, we are grateful that you see our predicament.  We trust you to change what needs to change.

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watch this

Posted on October 27, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1918Haggai 2

Haggai’s instruction was for the people to mark this day on the calendar, and watch what God was going to do.  He was going to reverse the curse, and shake the nations until riches and blessing fell upon Israel.  He was going to do the impossible and make Holy that which had been defiled.  The work on the new temple had already been begun in obedience to the LORD’s words through Haggai.  Now, the LORD says, move over, and watch this. 

LORD, give us the wisdom to follow your word, and the insight to know when it is you who are working by grace.

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revival sparked by rebuke

Posted on October 26, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1917Haggai 1

This revival of interest in the things of God happened because Haggai, the messenger (Mal’ak) dared to confront a complacent people with God’s message (mal’akut), and the people came and worked (mela’kah) on rebuilding the temple.  God’s Spirit moved and brought about revival, but it began with a prophet who dared to say what needed to be said.

LORD, give us more Haggais.  Forgive us for wanting to say what pleases the crowd, instead of what they need to hear.

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the city with twelve gates

Posted on October 25, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1915Ezekiel 47:13-48:35

The vision and book concludes with a detailed description of the whole land, with its territories equally divided among the tribes of Israel, and with Gentile sojourners as incorporated within the nation.  Only one city is seen: the holy city with its new name.  “The LORD is There” is a fitting name because the city itself, not just the temple, represents the presence of God.  It has twelve gates, each named after a tribe.  All of God’s people have equal access to his presence. 

LORD, thank you for the hope of a new earth, and a new Jerusalem.  Until the world sees it, may we live it, so that they see it in us.

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water flowing to the sea

Posted on October 24, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1896Ezekiel 47:1-12

Water trickles out of the temple, but as it flows, it gets deeper.  That water brings life and health to all it touches, salts the earth, produces many fish, and abundant fruit.  Every image of this vision is used by New Testament authors to describe the destiny that awaits the righteous.  The fact that the water comes from the temple implies that all of these new earth realities flow from the presence of God.  The sea represents the nations, the target of the flow. Jesus said that that water will flow from the heart of believers (John 7:38).  The life, abundance and healing begins today.  Its full realization will be at the coming of Christ.

LORD, may your life, love and healing flow through us, to the nations.

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crowd control

Posted on October 23, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1891Ezekiel 46

The ESV Study Bible says that the regulation concerning entrance and exit of the temple courts may be merely for crowd control, but suggests that it probably has some deeper significance.  My guess is that the LORD is telling us that once we have approached his presence in worship, we should not turn back to the way things were.  His presence and grace should change us.

The only exception to this rule is the prince. If he represents the Messiah, it makes sense that he is an exception.  Worship changes us, but not the Lord.

LORD, forgive us for coming to you in worship, then constantly going back to our normal lives.  Change us, and make us exit your presence a different way.

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a people of purpose

Posted on October 22, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1891Ezekiel 45

The vision involves incredible detail because Ezekiel’s task is to reorient the people toward thinking of themselves as God’s representatives.  The new temple will matter; the princes of Israel will be significant; the Passover celebration will be important.  From a people in shambles, Israel is to emerge a people of purpose, and that purpose is the LORD.

LORD, make us a people of purpose,

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holiness and loyalty

Posted on October 21, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1887Ezekiel 44

The Zadokite priests had to remain holy, and were not allowed “normal” jobs and activities.  The LORD himself was their inheritance.  Their lives revolved around temple worship.  They were to be a sign to the people of the difference between the holy and the common.  Christianity has no Zadokite priests, but we are all expected to serve as priests.  That means being so unique among the people of the land that we draw attention to the LORD’s uniqueness – his holiness.

LORD, give us the commitment of the Zadokite priesthood – holiness and loyalty to you.

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