Skip to main content

The Feast of History

 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.  Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. (I Peter 1:20-21)

          Have you ever watched someone who really knows what they’re doing cook a big meal? They may start by putting an egg and butter out on the counter, before putting garlic and onions into a pan on the stove. They walk away and put flour, sugar, salt, and spices into a bowl. They leave the bowl a pull out other ingredients, working on many different dishes all at once. What’s more, by the time you see them preparing the meal, they may have already other dishes. If you’re lucky, they may have a list to show you some of what they’re doing. Somehow, it all comes together, and an amazing dinner is served.

          Today’s passage hints at this idea. From before the creation of the world, God planned out what He would do. Various ingredients were added as they were needed, “cooked” or “chilled” so they were ready to be used. At just the right time, God pulled out His “secret ingredient,” His something special that would change the food of history from every day to magnificent.

          When you eat a great meal, you are interacting with the person who cooked it. Few people would claim that a feast just happened. And if a cook has a signature dish or a signature ingredient, its inclusion is reason to think the cook had something to do with the meal, especially if the cook in question had been promising it.

          The Old Testament refers to a coming Messiah from Genesis 3 on. He isn’t something that could have just happened. The fact that He came when, where, and how He did, and that He did what He did is evidence that God, and that He will continue to do what He has promised. Your faith in Him is not blind, and your hope is not vain. They are reasoned and rational, based on historical evidence.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more