christian

On Materialism – Wage the War

bible, christian, spiritual formation

Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” – Mark 10:21

There I was, leaving another store with more unnecessary purchases. As I was walking to my car, struggling to get my keys while holding this big shopping bag, a man walked up to me.

“Excuse me, do you have any spare change?” he asked.

As I looked up at him, my mouth said what it had learned to do over the years when strangers would come near. I immediately blurted out, “I’m sorry, I don’t.”

As I looked him in his light blue eyes, with a face revealing slight discouragement, he said, “That’s okay ma’am. I am sorry to have bothered you.” Then he walked away.

I got in my car and just sat there for a moment then realized I had $5 cash in my wallet. But when I looked back to find him, he was gone.

That was the day after Black Friday. A day where thousands across the country, including myself, woke up at ungodly hours to bombard stores for their “irresistible” deals on items we, or the people we are buying them for, will probably forget about in 6 months to a year.

On a daily basis, we see deals, advertisements, promo videos, and influencers tell us about all of the things we “need”. That, until we buy them, we won’t be happy or on trend. These voices we feed ourselves with overtime create a hunger for more. For more material things that we think will bring feelings they cannot actually sustain. Feelings like joy, purpose, belonging, or contentment.

Now, those types of feelings that our hearts long for are good. For those are what we are designed to experience. But the material-based propaganda we see all over social media, websites, commercials, and on billboards are not the means to fulfillment in those desires.

Within the last two weeks, the story of the rich man in Mark 10 has been one I heard in a book, at church, and on a podcast. I am in no way close to rich, but I must admit this story has repetitively convicted me over the recent days.

In Mark 10:17, we see a man run up the Jesus, falling at his feet and begging for the answer to a question I feel we all ask at some point in our lives, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Jesus could have answered in so many different ways knowing the sinful nature this man had. But out of intention and love (v. 21) He told him he lacks just one thing. His tight grip on his possessions and his dependency on them for his identity, security, and purpose were barriers between him and Christ that only he could make the decision to move.

“Go”, Jesus said, “sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (v. 21).

Was Jesus claiming wealth is bad? Certainly not. But having it as an idol is.

I want to dive into this response more deeply. We see that the man’s heart was troubled at the thought of giving up all he had. Before we judge him, having that be the first interaction with the One everyone in town was calling a “Savior” would have left me baffled as well. Honestly, I still would be shaken at the thought of having to give up everything I own now.

But instead of questions, this man just left sad and with a fallen face. The outcome of his decision wasn’t stated, but surely it is clear that selling all his things and following Jesus was too much to commit to at the moment.

That brings us to the second portion of the statement. So the purpose of Christ’s call to leave behind the idol of wealth was because the throne of our life cannot be filled with two things. Jesus will not share the title of “Lord” in your heart. And rightly so.

But I want to highlight that the selling of possessions was not the path to eternal life. How do we know? Because Jesus didn’t end on that note. That was simply to clear the priority position in his life, that he may now focus completely on the true God, the path to what his heart so desperately sought out.

“Then come, follow me.” (v.21)

So very simple in words, yet incredibly difficult and serious in action.

There is reason for that.

We were created for a life in unity with a loving, perfect God. With that comes a hearts longing for things like hope, purpose, sense of belonging, joy, and fulfillment. Yet because we live in a world that rejects God, we grow up believing we must strive to reproduce what we think will satisfy our desires. But none of it can.

The rich man asked Jesus one question and Jesus responded clearly and straightforward. Selling his possessions and giving to those God loves (all people), is what Jesus promised produces treasure in Heaven…but not life. Following Christ is the only path to inherit eternal life.

I believe John Mark Comer explained this concept very well as he states in one of his books:

“If you’re not on board with Jesus’ view of money, it could be that you, like many Christians in the West (myself included until quite recently and with frequent relapses), don’t actually believe the gospel of the kingdom – the good news that the life you’ve always wanted is fully available to you right where you are through Jesus. Through Him you have access to the Father’s loving presence. Nothing – not your income level or stage of life or health or relational status – nothing is standing between you and the ‘life that is truly life’.”

Was I wrong to immediately say no to that man asking me for money? Some may say no, for safety reasons, but I would argue I was.

I allowed this self-centered way of thinking to become so rooted in my heart and brain that I did not even hesitate to check my wallet at his request. Who cares what he will use it for? Should one impostor homeless person who uses the money for bad things ruin the giving Spirit in the rest of humanity? If so, we are a lost cause. For all churches should shut down considering the number of hypocrites (including myself at times) that sit in the pews each weekend taking advantage of the benefits the church offers.

Since when did giving become such a particular thing? Who are we to determine who does and does not deserve our pennies? In fact, they’re not even ours. We are but stewards of the finances God blesses us with, despite how much or little that may be.

My heart still aches as I wish I acted differently.

The man left after saying, “I am sorry to have bothered you.”

I am unsure of how much he meant that, but those words wrecked me. Why do humans think asking for help from another is a bother? I considered how much I say that when I seek assistance from others and nearly every time, I receive a, “don’t worry at all” or “it’s not a problem”. Yet somehow I still feel bad to have people help me with anything.

I fear people in his position, receive a lot of no’s. And what I pray is that he doesn’t let that word, “bother”, be how he sees himself.

Giving is not a practice that is done between the “have’s” and “have-nots”. We are not on two sides where only one gives and the other takes. That man is fully capable of knowing Jesus and following Him. Eternal life is available to him as much as it was to the rich man. Yet the point I wish to identify, is that my struggle with materialism prevented a potentially fruitful conversation.

Fixing our focus on things that will not last or matter in 5, 10, or 50 years get in the way of God-honoring experiences countless times on a daily basis as we remain complacent in our bondage to the material world.

David Platt clarifies the severity of this problem in our society as he says, “The lesson I learned is that the war against materialism in our hearts is exactly that: a war. It is a constant battle to resist the temptation to have more luxuries to acquire more stuff, and to live more comfortably. It requires strong and steady resolve to live out the gospel in the middle of an American dream that identifies success as moving up the ladder, getting the bigger house, purchasing the nicer car, buying the better clothes, eating the finer food and acquiring more things.”

My dear friend, it was not the items I purchased that day that stopped me from helping the man. It was the idea of giving him something that I could use to get more things with. Some needs, some unnecessary. But regardless, my reaction revealed the reality of my skewed priorities as my own security and longing for more was what first came to mind instead of how I ought to love the people God made so intricately, reflecting His own image.

Materials are not the problem. The war is far beyond flesh. But it is a war we cannot ignore, as it could be the very thing blocking us from what our souls and the souls around us need so badly; eternal life, or in more clear words, Jesus, our only Savior.

Thoughts To Consider:

Do material things or ideas have a hold on you in any area of your life?

How can you practically remind yourself of the things that really matter? The things you were created for?

Let go of the striving to produce what only God can give. What are some of the root reasons you may struggle with that?

Consider the impact you could be a part of and experience as you begin living, loving, and giving the way Jesus did, regardless of your fears of insecurity or having enough.

Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” – Mark 10:21

On Leviticus: Why Peace Seems To Escape Us

bible, christian, spiritual formation

“You must keep the Israelites separate from things that make them unclean, so they will not die in their uncleanliness for defiling my dwelling place, which is among them.” – Leviticus 15:31

For the last 3 and a half years, I could not understand why my most viewed blog was one that was so specific to a current event in 2022.

When I wrote “Elohim Shomri – God As Our Protector In The Wake Of War“, the conflict between Ukraine and Russia had somewhat just begun. This was written with a reference to the story of Joshua and the battle of Jericho. I honestly did not think much would come from it, I mean, after 3.5 years, it has 0 likes and 0 comments…but over 1,000 views. And 681 of those are from this year alone.

I normally do not look that deeply into the stats and I don’t want to make this about numbers, but I could not help but notice that if my blog was viewed at all in a day, that post was typically the reason why.

It intrigued a while back but I couldn’t pinpoint what made it so popular. Then today, while I reading and thinking about what I wish more people realized mattered, it hit me.

Peace.

That blog was about Peace. And I don’t mean just the feeling. I am talk about the One who is the embodiment of it.

It could have been very easy to pick a side and believe that’s what peace would be like. But that’s not Biblical. True peace is not found in a motivational speech, a political statement, or even by overloading ourselves with self-help material. Though sometimes you may get inspiration from those, what humans long for is what we cannot create by our own works.

We have a hole in our hearts and souls that sense the world we live in is broken and needs healing, but no matter how hard we try, nothing lasts. That’s not because peace is impossible. Rather, it’s because we are seeking a thing (or feeling) over a person.

I have been to many churches and I love what a lot of them are doing. But I also grow angry towards some as I recognize a major problem that seems to be so consistent among congregations, yet so ignored.

Perhaps it is ignorance or direct denial, but whatever it is, it is building a barrier between what we as Christian’s are supposed to be focused on. Discipleship is the process of following Christ. But if you were to take a poll in many churches today, unfortunately, we would probably find the majority not serving, not in a small group, inconsistent in their personal quiet time, or having a lack of accountability in their spiritual walk.

I say this not to degrade churches. For I have worked at one and served at 3 others that I would consider a second home. But I cannot deny that there were times I was angry as I served and watched the same people walk in and walk out each Sunday, never seeing them hold a Bible, join a group/service team, or show any outward hunger for God.

As someone who struggled with religiousness when I first became a Christ follower, I don’t want anyone to take what I am saying as “works are what saves you”. For that is not true. But they are evidence of your love for God. And they are the routes we take to make room for God to speak and move in our lives on a daily basis.

Reread that last sentence.

We cannot forget our purpose. Yes, it is to share the Gospel. But first and foremost it is to love our God. And if desire to use the name of Jesus to encourage anyone, we cannot neglect the process of learning His ways. For the Lord’s ways are not the same as ours. We have a sin nature. And what sin is, is anything that goes against God. So if disobedience is in our hearts naturally since the Fall of man, we cannot dare to think we can share God’s love without prioritizing being near to Him in our personal life.

Leviticus, I won’t lie, has been a difficult book to get through. But I found a common theme as I read the end of chapter 15. It says in verse 31, “You must keep the Israelites separate from things that make them unclean, so they will not die in their uncleanliness for defiling my dwelling place, which is among them.“

Now surely, death for uncleanliness may sound a bit harsh. And I always heard that word used to describe God in the Old Testament. But after reading all about these sacrifices and temple regulations, I could not help but see a God so desperate to build a bridge between a sinful, broken people and His Holy, perfect self. He did not do it because He had to, or even because He needed our praise. He made a way in the Old and New Testament because of His love for us.

Yet I look at this modern culture, including myself, and think, “we’d never last in a time like that”. We hunger for immediate satisfaction, a comfortable Sunday service experience, and a convenient personal routine with God. The idea of self-denial, control, and discipline are more reserved for those ambitious for stronger bodies, healthier diets, or a greater financial position. Though those are all good goals, why are Christ followers not the first and most dedicated group of self-discipline people in the world? What better is there to sacrifice for than our Savior?

People long to be better. Most would include “bettering themselves” as a part of their idea of success. But what we often forget is that it takes discipline. And specifically to be like Christ, it takes discipleship.

I cannot count the times I have cried out to God for peace, while neglecting the need to draw near to Him. Leviticus and many other surrounding books are very focused on the law and how to approach God through the temple. His peace and presence are then promised on the other side of the Israelites obedience. And that, I believe, is the part I forget so often.

Yes, Christ made a way for us to connect with the Lord, not needing a temple like the Israelites in Leviticus. But the sacrifice of Jesus did not negate the Holiness of God. For our Lord is still the Lord Most High, the One so perfect and pure. And I fear in an attempt to modernize the Word of God, many today encourage salvation as though it is a “one and done” agreement.

Yet if we read verses 31 again, we might realize His dwelling place was moved from tents to our hearts. So there is no need to “modernize” or “contextualize” the Word of God here as it says His followers ought to remain, “separate from things that make them unclean, so they will not die in their uncleanliness for defiling my dwelling place, which is among them.”

Perhaps if we realized one of the greatest gifts from God is His presence with us now rather than just a heaven waiting for us when we die, we would begin to understand the gravity of discipleship and our need for it. As it is the means to our biggest need: a restored relationship and consistent communion with God.

We could argue all day long, trying to pick sides in this world. But that is not what our souls are desperate for. Being right only fills your pride. It’s being with Peace that restores our broken hopes, wounds, anxieties, and gives us a purpose no one can take away. Not even our own failures.

My dear friend, wholeness is what God longs for you to realize is only found in Him. Our pursuit of peace and contentment can only reach so far in a world so broken. But God’s heart for our redemption could not be more evident in the Old Testament as He placed Himself among us and made a way for our total redemption. We are set apart because of our first love. Not because we are any better than our neighbor. But only because we have come to realize how necessary Jesus is for our every breath. May we stop chasing the idea of peace while ignoring the One it flows out of.

Thoughts To Consider:

Where have you been chasing the feeling of peace instead of seeking the God of peace?

What habits, mindsets, or comforts are you clinging to that keep you from deeper discipleship and true wholeness in Christ?

Do your rhythms in life reflect someone who treasures His presence, or someone surviving on their own?

Consider how your life may change as you acknowledge peace is not discovered, but received in His nearness.

“You must keep the Israelites separate from things that make them unclean, so they will not die in their uncleanliness for defiling my dwelling place, which is among them.” – Leviticus 15:31

Ever Dependent – A Short Word on Relying on God

bible, christian, encouragement

Leviticus 13

It’s a terrible feeling to be clueless. I don’t have a problem admitting I don’t know something, as long as the knowledge is attainable in a somewhat immediate way. But recently there has been a pile of moments growing where I feel helpless. Or plainly put, dumb.

This morning was one of those moments, but as I write this evening, I am grateful for what God is revealing.

I read Leviticus 13 today…

If you know what that’s about, it’s not the most exciting portion of scripture. And this morning, I struggled when I finished. I normally make a final quick prayer of gratitude for God’s Word made available to me and for whatever it was that He taught me. But today, I couldn’t think of a single thing I learned besides to beware of “defiling skin diseases”(v. 2).

I gave thanks, but then I sat there for a minute. A while back, I vowed to get through the whole Bible without commentaries since it’s my first time and because of my past problem with idolizing knowledge over the Word and presence of God Himself. So that was not the option I wanted to resort to. But then, in just a moment, I said something along the lines of, “Holy Spirit, please open my eyes, because I don’t know what you’re trying to say through that. But I believe all your Word is relevant and used for teaching us.”

Honestly, it shocked me that I thought of that. Perhaps that was your first thought to my dilemma, but it surely wasn’t mine. So as the day progressed, and I reflected on a few topics God has placed on my mind lately regarding our dedication to Him, I realized how much I needed that prayer this morning.

This culture is so very individualistic. Now, as an introvert, I don’t mind doing everything myself (my pride thinks I’ll do it better alone anyways). But that is not how we ought to be. That is not how God created us.

We are made for community. And I don’t just mean with other humans, but deep community with God as well.

Spending time with Him is my favorite thing each morning. Somehow, I have managed to do it without coffee now, and I still find it to be my favorite time. But when I skip days, as I unfortunately did the recent weekend, I feel the heaviness of dependency. I feel the weight of not giving my first fruits to God.

I immediately felt great anxiety and hopelessness again and the terrible feeling of being rushed for no reason. Let me be clear, I still struggle with all of those feelings on a weekly basis, but normally the feeling of God’s presences overcomes it all, giving me hope and truth to speak over it. God is still good if the healing isn’t total, for one day it will be.

But today it was different. I felt better, but still confused on His teaching and a few other things I’ve been thinking about. Yet I was at peace. Not because I discovered what was so significant about the skin diseased people in Leviticus 13, but because I realized I was dependent again on God. Not completely, but surely it is my priority again.

I have set boundaries with myself to seek His unexplainable joy and patience at my job, His truth and hope over my mental battles, and His strength and faith in my uncertainties.

My dear friend, dependency on Jesus means so much more than trusting Him in big trials that you can’t control anyways. It is more than giving up your Sunday mornings for church. And it is even more than devoting the first portion of your day to Him. It is all those and then some. We must not let the individualism or complacency of this culture to let us believe we can live a single breath without God. That “self-sufficient” life is not what we were made for and it is only by Him alone we can be made new and better.

So when you consider who He is, as our worthy Lord, and who we are, a helpless sinner, may we grow hungry after a dependent life on Him. For who else defeated our destined condemnation and freed us from chains we sold ourselves to? No one, but Jesus. May He be your everything in every area of your life.

The Presence Our Soul Calls Home

bible, christian, prayer

“Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” – Exodus 14:13-14

Many say, “Home is where the heart is.” And all my life, I agreed. But recently I had been thinking and I would say, home is not just where our heart is. It is where the Father is.

I have been living on my own now for nearly two months. And just last week, I left work early on Friday so that I could fly…home.

Not where my mailing address is or the place I pay rent for. But where I found Jesus and where all those who pushed me to Him, are still living. It’s the place my parents are. My grandma is. And the place I attended every Sunday when I lived in the area. Home. At least for me, is not just a person. Or a building. It’s not even the town, for that has changed so much in just the last 2 months. Home is where God built relationships that His glory is evidently moving through.

Yes, my hometown will always be a little city in Florida. But my home is far greater than the streets you can drive on. It is the people who make up the body of Christ that have pushed me to know Him myself.

There is a difference between the places we spend time in and the people who truly point us to Christ.

For instance, I have driven by my high school many times since graduating. Even though I know the campus like the back of my hand, it no longer feels like home. But when I reach out to the teachers who invested in me, it is as if I never aged. I can still tell them every ounce of drama in my life and feel confident they will respond with love, support, and wisdom.

Considering that, one of the things I reflected on before moving was that perhaps I was searching for the wrong thing. I thought if I drove on new roads and had different places to call “the local spots”, that I would be happy.

Yet here I am. Driving on these magical new roads (that have far too many potholes) and slowly collecting the names of coffee shops and book stores to become a regular at. But I still cannot truly say those are the reasons this place is “home” to me. Not I am not claiming it is not. Rather, I am suggesting this place I just moved to, though on a much smaller scale, feels at home too.

And it’s because the Lord is here. He is in the new place I frequent for Sunday sermons, Bible study, and serving at youth. He is in the friendships I am making at work that reflect His love for us. And He is very much in the apartment that has been anointed in prayer and worship by my mother and I.

Home has become so much more than a building. Or a room. It has been beyond a blessing to realize that my home is in so many places as my Heavenly Father has lead me to great relationships and places where His name is praised in song and service.

In Exodus 14, the Israelites face a terrifying sight. After decades of slavery, they had finally been free. Or at least it seemed so. Starting in verse 10, we see the Egyptians hunting the Israelites down. And as they looked at this rough army and turned to see they were but pressed against water, they cried out to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!“

They were scared. They were not sure what God’s plan was, and so they began regretting where they came and who they followed.

But praise God as His heart is expressed through Moses as he replies, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.“

Moses wanted to desperately for the Israelites to see the security they had in God. That the houses they lived in, the places they ate, and the streets they walked on were not their “home” just because they slept and worked there. They had a place designed for them beyond their comprehension. But they refused to trust the giver of that home. So they scrambled and pleaded for what they felt comfortable in. Not because it was good for them, but because it was all they had known.

How often do we flee from things because they are not easy? Or maybe we just don’t like change. I believe some, if you are like myself, want so desperately to hold onto things we were not even designed to prioritize.

The Israelites, fresh out of slavery, in the face of a new form of adversity, were willing to forgive and forget what they endured so that they wouldn’t walk into the “unknown” with God.

Shortly after their panic, God did one of the most incredible and popular events recorded in Scripture; He split the Red Sea. He made a way when there was none. But in doing so, He led them to the wilderness.

The wilderness is the place the Israelites resided for 40 or so years following that. All in route to the “Promised Land”. The place in which the Lord said they would populate and call their own.

I fear too often we see this as just a great representation of a “waiting season”. But may we recognize the revelation and nearness the Lord brought to His people during this time. His Angel was before them and He spoke so passionately to them that they might have come to understand the most valuable thing they could attain was not getting out Egypt, Manna, witnessing miracles, or even reaching the Promised Land. No, the most incredible thing they received was the opportunity to connect with God. The God who saw their flaws and rebellion and still chose to love. The God who stood between them and their enemies when they had no faith in Him. So much happened in those 40 years, but if we don’t recognize that the biggest blessing wasn’t the ending, but the belonging that God gave them the ability to sense even in the wilderness, we will live our lives with the belief that Home has more to do with land, buildings, or specific people rather than Jesus Himself.

My dear friend, your home is not this earth. As one who loves to travel, but suffers from homesickness within 3 or so days, I find that even in the room I spent my teenage years decorating in the most comforting way, a lot of times, I grieved for what I could not see. I longed for God and when I could not seem to understand what He was doing, I felt more homesick than ever.

I am astonished daily at the fact that I am not booking a flight to Florida every weekend. But after much thought, it is so clear that despite leaving everything and everyone that meant the most to me, I am okay still because the One who is greater than all is the One who is walking with me here, now.

May you have peace and a sense of belonging in the family of Christ whether you feel like the Israelites in Egypt, at the shore of the Red Sea, in the wilderness with decades to go, or are rejoicing in the Promise Land God led you to. Your home is more than where your heart is. Because unfortunately, sometimes God doesn’t have the throne of our hearts. But that does not change the deep desire your soul has for His communion.

Home is where the Father is, and may we rejoice in that grace.

Thoughts to Consider:

Where have you been tempted to find “home” apart from God’s presence?

What might change in your perspective if you saw your home not as a destination, but as communion with the Father?

How has Jesus met you in unexpected places and made them feel like home?

Consider the difference in your outlook on life and your current season if you lived out the belonging God wants you to find in Him.

“Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” – Exodus 14:13-14

When Fear Meets the Table of Grace

bible, christian, prayer

“Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep.” – Genesis 43:30

Every time I read the story of Joseph, God amazes me. But it was not until a few days ago that I saw the significance of this table scene.

If you haven’t read his story, I highly recommend doing that now or directly after reading this. It begins in chapter 37 and runs until chapter 45.

In Genesis 43, Joseph – who had been sold as a slave by his brothers 20 years prior, but is now 2nd in command of Egypt – has yet to reveal himself to his own family.

After coming to Egypt a second time for food, his brothers stood before him, offering gifts and the best products of their land out of fear. They thought their offerings would be enough to please him and forgive them for taking the money they should’ve paid in return for food (however, it was Joseph who ordered the money be given back to them).

They brought their best before Joseph and bowed in fear. But not a single one of them noticed who he was.

I would say that is crazy to not be able to recognize someone like your own brother, as mine looks pretty similar to how he did nearly 20 years ago. But then I think of how often that happens with us and God.

When We Fail to Recognize Him

How often we commit to Christ, claiming we are fascinated by His heart and character. Yet just days, weeks, or months later, we ignore His voice, choose distractions over time with Him, or watch Him do a miracle just to bury its beauty beneath an “I deserved that” mentality.

Since when does God owe us anything? And why is it that we believe we can maintain a “Christ-like lifestyle” without knowing Him?

Their perspective of Joseph was a man who had the power to kill them or put them in jail, and potentially would. Yet in verse 30 of chapter 43, we see him in a different way as it says, “Deeply moved at the sight of His brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went to his private room and wept there.”

The sight of them near him alone brought him to tears. Surely it was no light cry if he had to run away. Here was a man in one of the most successful countries during a famine, with riches and all. But that’s not what he wanted. He wanted his family. He wanted those who should have known him, despite their betrayal decades ago.

Sometimes, I find myself still counting my works in hopes that the Lord will show me favor in my prayers and dreams. Yet if I truly recognized who Christ was and remembered His heart, I would see that none of what I offer is what brings Him to tears. As He invites me to commune with Him, to have a seat of belonging at His table, He shows so clearly that He just wants us. His family. We, humans, who betray Him daily. We are who He died for.

This is such a moving scene because at first, the brothers came carrying fear yet were met with nothing but love. They were invited to feast with Joseph and even still, he was only a stranger to them.

Though Joseph could have revealed himself then, or punished them for their ignorance, he did not. Instead, they enjoyed the feast together.

Let’s pause and unpack that moment for a second. Just after Joseph walks back into the room and says, “Serve the food.”

“They served him by himself, the brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because Egyptians could not eat with Hebrews, for that is detestable to Egyptians. 33 The men had been seated before him in the order of their ages, from the firstborn to the youngest; and they looked at each other in astonishment. 34 When portions were served to them from Joseph’s table, Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as anyone else’s. So they feasted and drank freely with him.” – Gen. 43:32-34

They began with a divide. Though not of just Egyptians and Hebrews, but one where Joseph was set apart from both crowds. This, however, did not mean that the food was different. But instead, the brothers were fed from Joseph’s table. What he offered them was an abundance despite there being 11 of them. They then enjoyed the meal together…freely.

Invited to Sit Freely With Christ

I could not help but see the resemblance to moments we have with Jesus. The only One worthy of everything and everyone, calls us to His table. And from there, though He is set apart from us because of His Holiness, He made a way for us to commune with Him. He fed us His portion and to this day, we have not seen it run out. Because of the sacrifice Christ made for us, we can eat together with Him freely.

Not because we deserve it. Not because redemption is easy. And definitely not because we were good enough. It was only by His love and grace.

My dear friend, Christ paid everything for your freedom. And despite the fear and doubt you may approach Him with, He is the embodiment of peace, forgiveness, and love. You can cease the striving of trying to offer “enough” to Him. For that is not what He desires. Our Lord stands before us, inviting us to be with Him. Even when we don’t realize who He is or the significance of what He has done. He wants our heart, for He already poured out His over us.

Thoughts to Consider:

What characteristic of God are you struggling to believe?

How can you practically abide in Christ so that you would not encounter Him and feel as though you are but strangers?

What would it change in your life today if you truly believed that Jesus just wants you at His table?

Meditate on this scripture. Consider the depth of Jesus’ love for you as you read of Joseph’s for his brothers.

“Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep.” – Genesis 43:30