Ok, so I really would like to get better at this whole "blogging" thing, but the idea is relatively new to me. I've enjoyed reading other people's stuff but it's been a while since I've actually posted. Bear with me...
If there's anything that I've learned by taking all of my French classes this semester, reading tons of literature, and writing who knows how many essays, it would be the power of reading things in a new perspective, even the Bible. The more I learned about great literary works, the more the Bible as a beautiful work of art has fascinated me. I keep seeing all these amazing parallels in things that I would have overlooked in the past. Especially in "those sections" of the Bible, where I think I would be better off skipping, there are treasures hidden. For example: clothes. Have you ever thought twice about the role that they play in the Bible and the implications and significance it has for our daily walks with Christ? Well, if you haven't, let's take a little stroll through the scriptures, and I'll show you what the Holy Spirit Has shown me.
First, one's clothing can be a marker of identity and an expression of how a person is feeling. From the beginning, we have tried our best to cover our shame, but God must provide a way to really hide our nakedness and shame (Genesis 3:21). This time it was an innocent animal. The next [and ultimate] time, it was God Himself. When later instructed to get rid of foreign gods and purify themselves, God told them to "change your clothes" [Gen 35:2].
The "holy garments," according to the Old Testament, were used for anointing, ordaining, and setting apart priests with dignity and honor for service to the Lord (Exodus 29:29, 31:10, 39:1, 28:3, 40:13; Leviticus 16:32). They were a marker of God's glory and beauty (Exodus 28:2), a reminder of one's commitment to God (Ex. 28:29-30; Numbers 15:38-40), and even a kind of protection from being killed when approaching the Lord(Exodus 28:43).
For us, the appropriate clothes of purification can only be purchased from and by Jesus [Revelation 3:18][Matthew 22:11-14]. In His true form, Jesus has new, dazzling clothes that are incomparable to what the world could offer [Mark 9:2-3]. He describes us as people who are clothed in splendor [Ps. 45:3, 104:11]
Knowing these things, I pray that righteousness really would be my clothing [Job 28:14]. Just like Lazareth, I really long to take off these stained grave garments and go freely [John 11:44]. Daily, I must remember to put on Christ [Rom 13:14], compassion [Colossians 3:12], humility [1 Peter 5:5], and His power [Luke 24:49]. Lord, may I only search to cover myself with the identity of who You say I am and who You have made me to be!
If there's anything that I've learned by taking all of my French classes this semester, reading tons of literature, and writing who knows how many essays, it would be the power of reading things in a new perspective, even the Bible. The more I learned about great literary works, the more the Bible as a beautiful work of art has fascinated me. I keep seeing all these amazing parallels in things that I would have overlooked in the past. Especially in "those sections" of the Bible, where I think I would be better off skipping, there are treasures hidden. For example: clothes. Have you ever thought twice about the role that they play in the Bible and the implications and significance it has for our daily walks with Christ? Well, if you haven't, let's take a little stroll through the scriptures, and I'll show you what the Holy Spirit Has shown me.
First, one's clothing can be a marker of identity and an expression of how a person is feeling. From the beginning, we have tried our best to cover our shame, but God must provide a way to really hide our nakedness and shame (Genesis 3:21). This time it was an innocent animal. The next [and ultimate] time, it was God Himself. When later instructed to get rid of foreign gods and purify themselves, God told them to "change your clothes" [Gen 35:2].
The "holy garments," according to the Old Testament, were used for anointing, ordaining, and setting apart priests with dignity and honor for service to the Lord (Exodus 29:29, 31:10, 39:1, 28:3, 40:13; Leviticus 16:32). They were a marker of God's glory and beauty (Exodus 28:2), a reminder of one's commitment to God (Ex. 28:29-30; Numbers 15:38-40), and even a kind of protection from being killed when approaching the Lord(Exodus 28:43).
For us, the appropriate clothes of purification can only be purchased from and by Jesus [Revelation 3:18][Matthew 22:11-14]. In His true form, Jesus has new, dazzling clothes that are incomparable to what the world could offer [Mark 9:2-3]. He describes us as people who are clothed in splendor [Ps. 45:3, 104:11]
Knowing these things, I pray that righteousness really would be my clothing [Job 28:14]. Just like Lazareth, I really long to take off these stained grave garments and go freely [John 11:44]. Daily, I must remember to put on Christ [Rom 13:14], compassion [Colossians 3:12], humility [1 Peter 5:5], and His power [Luke 24:49]. Lord, may I only search to cover myself with the identity of who You say I am and who You have made me to be!
