October 7 | Hebrews 8:5; Colossians 2:16-3:4

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DAILY READING

Hebrews 8:5

Colossians 2:16-23

Colossians 3:1-4

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REFLECTION

Plan for Remodeling

By Pam Mann

As we read through the book of Hebrews, its writer stresses again and again how Jesus is greater than what God’s people have known in the past. Jesus is greater than angels; he is greater than Moses or Joshua; he is greater than the earthly priesthood. The angels, Moses, Joshua, and the Aaronic priesthood have all been great. They have been used by God. We value them and thank God for them. But Jesus is greater.

In Hebrews 8:5, the point is made that the priests serve in a temple whose pattern Moses received from God on Mount Sinai. “They serve a copy and shadow of what is in heaven.” If you’ve ever pondered the structure of a snowflake or the arrangement of sunflower seeds at the flower’s center, you’ve witnessed the love our Creator has for patterns. The patterns we see in nature reflect the beauty and power of our God. The pattern for approaching God in the tabernacle, which God’s people have known for millennia, sets the stage beautifully and powerfully for the arrival of the Promised One.

Likewise, Paul writes in Colossians 2:17, urging us to regard the details of worship traditions as mere details, compared to the all-invasive reality of Christ. Jesus is not only the big picture. He’s also the reason for any and every detail. Paul is challenging us to re-evaluate the details in our life patterns. Do our daily routines point us to Christ? If not, we may likely want to reconsider what place they have in our life, which we have given to Jesus.

For sure, renovating current life patterns is uncomfortable work. Imagine what a makeover was necessary for first-century God-fearers. The match-up of old covenant to new covenant in Christ is

like remodeling an old, cramped dwelling into a comfortable new home that allows in light, opens up space for hospitality, and provides what the occupants need. The architect complements the lines of the original floor plan as the new structure is built on. Isn’t this what happened when Christ came into the world, fulfilling all the ancient prophecies spoken to Israel while opening his arms to all nations? Isn’t this what happens to us each time Jesus takes us from where we’ve got ourselves stuck in sin? We can come honestly to Jesus in confession and experience his forgiveness. Why wait when we can have a new depth of fellowship with him?

PRAYER

We praise you, Jesus, as the perfect high priest. We praise you as the spotless Lamb of God, the sacrifice for our sin. We praise you as the Lover of our souls and invite you anew to fellowship with us.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PAM MANN

I first joined UALC when my husband (then my fiancé) and I were college students involved in youth ministry. God has used UALC to nurture our family’s faith, even in our years outside the U.S. I’ve participated in UALC ministries with kids, art, prayer, exercise, ESL, and Bible teaching. I do all the fun church things.