Monday, January 30, 2017

Today’s Scripture Reading  |  Hebrews 10:19–31
Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. For if we willfully persist in sin after having received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful prospect of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has violated the law of Moses dies without mercy “on the testimony of two or three witnesses.” How much worse punishment do you think will be deserved by those who have spurned the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant by which they were sanctified, and outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know the one who said, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (NRSV)

Reflection
I am a big Disney fan. One of my favorite Disney movies is Aladdin. Even as a small child there were certain aspects I was attracted to: the idea that there is a big world out there to explore, the idea that people who society says are “nobodies” can be the hero, and, of course, the soundtrack is fun. Jasmine grew up behind the safe walls of her palace, but she longs to see the world beyond. Then she gets introduced to Aladdin, and he takes her on a magical journey to see and experience new things.

There are times where I can imagine Christ coming and telling the people, “I am here to show you ‘A Whole New World.’ These rules you have lived by are no longer necessary; I have come and am going to open this curtain and show everything to you.”

The challenge we are left with is to keep the curtain lifted. Once gaining the knowledge of this new world we have two options: we can live fully into it or we can retreat into what is safe and known. The choice is ours, but God tells us what is in store for us depending on the choice we make.

Prayer
God, you made the ultimate sacrifice and opened a whole new world for us. Help me to live fully into that world. Thank you for the community of people who help to support me in this journey and to live fully into your calling for me. Amen.

Written by Katie Patterson, Youth Mission Coordinator

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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