Scripture
And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through His own blood. Let us, then, go to Him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace He bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.
~Hebrews 13:12-14, NIV
Quote
If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.
~C.S. Lewis.
I stumbled by providential grace across this poem written by a twenty-two year old lady named Margaret Mauro. This could be a pen name because I can not find biographical info about her: the poem is unbelievable and she being a twenty-two old make it more incredible. As jack says, “It is a triple WOW!” Now, I know some of you will not read it all so I have highlighted what I want you to get
| The Young Christian |
|---|
| I cannot give it up, The little world I know— The innocent delights of youth, The things I cherish so! ‘Tis true, I love my Lord And long to do His will; But O, I may enjoy the world And be a Christian still!I love the hour of prayer, I love the hymns of praise, I love the blessed Word which tells Of God’s redeeming grace. But—I am human still! And while I dwell on earth, God surely will not grudge the hours I spend in harmless mirth!These things belong to youth, And are its natural right— My dress, my pastimes, and my friends, The merry and the bright. My Father’s heart is kind! He will not count it ill That my small corner of the world Should please and hold me still.And yet— “outside the camp“— ‘Twas there my Saviour died! It was the world that cast Him forth, And saw Him crucified. Can I take part with those Who nailed Him to the tree? And where His name is never praised, Is there the place for me? {Tears}Nay, world! I turn away, Though thou seem fair and good; That friendly outstretched hand of thine Is stained with Jesus’ blood. If in thy least device I stoop to take a part, All unaware, thine influence steals God’s presence from my heart.I miss my Saviour’s smile, Whene’er I walk thy ways; Thy laughter drowns the Spirit’s voice, And chokes the springs of praise. Whene’er I turn aside To join thee for an hour, The face of Christ grows blurred and dim, And prayer has lost its power! Farewell—Henceforth my place Shame on me that I sought Lord Jesus! let me dwell |
Outside the camp; what does this mean. Jesus suffered outside the camp. Calvary was not inside the walls of Jerusalem. What is the message? What does God want us to understand. First lets look at Mosaic Law concerning the camp.
- All the burnt offering for sin {Old Testament} were performed outside the Tabernacle, because SIN is unclean. [Ex.29:14]
- If you had a contagious disease, you had to live outside the camp because your were ceremonial unclean. [Lev. 13:46]
- A blasphemer was carried outside the camp and stoned [Num. 15:35, Lev. 24:13]
It is obvious that God intends to separate us from our sin. So the Mosaic picture is “Get sin out of the Camp.” Of course, Jesus because sin for us and it that sense, He was offered outside the camp, but there is more, much more. Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament including all the laws. He established a New Testament which changes everything. Now the camp symbolizes religion, the old system, legalism, hypocrisy, works and yes even the world who knows there is a God but they refuse to acknowledge Him or give Him thanks. This world is guided by the ever deceitful prince of darkness and it appears to be good, even charming but it is not. It crucified Jesus. Let us get out of the old city Jerusalem and stand with our Savior. Let us bear some of the reproach that he bore for us. Enough of this loving the world and the things in it.
You may want to go back and re-read the poem, all of it. If it doesn’t not stir you to repentance, you are definitely not outside the city.
Extra
I don’t know what happened yesterday, I guess I forgot to hit the publish button. Sorry about that: I had a blog ready but this one I wrote yesterday.
DBC is still working on my blog support: a lot of hoops to jump through. The computer world is anything but simple. You know it is funny in a way, all grand parents that I know have cell phones and they have to call their grandkids for help. Trust me, I am no exception. Chloe is 13 and she can dance circles around me. It will not be long until Jackson will be showing me things and he will be four in January.
Grace Point Holiday Calendar Revised
- November 26–No mid-week service
- December 5–49er Christmas Party at 11:30 Fried Chicken
- December 14–CHRISTMAS DINNER after morning worship
- December 17–CHRISTMAS PROGRAM @ 6:00 Sanctuary
- December 24–Christmas Eve Communion @5:00 Sanctuary
- December 31–No mid-week service
Extra/Extra
{not recommended reading for women}
By the way, if it was up to me, I would not have an Apple Phone or anything with the apple on it. If you will notice, the apple has been bitten. Goes back to the garden and Eve’s rebellion. Why do I have one. I didn’t buy it. I have one because my kids want speak to me unless I try to please their mother who wants me to have one like theirs. She buys them, not me! I want a flip phone like Sammy’s. Hey, I am not picking on Eve who was curious and wanted to know everything: If she had stayed home where she belongs instead of shopping for something new, we wouldn’t be in this fix. Adam was a big wuss. He didn’t help matters. Yeah, if he were living today, Adam would have had an apple phone just to please her, just like me, right? It is what it is!