Readings: Exodus 12:1-14; 1 Corinthians 11:20-32; John 6:28-37
Every time we roll the calendar around to a new year, we feel revitalized and full of hope--this time we'll be a success and follow through on ambitions that have, up to this point, eluded us. We'll learn a new craft, learn a new language, learn a new way to cook. We'll practice a strong sense of discipline in order to achieve these goals...we can do it!
Then reality hits--these new adventures, as wondrous as they sound, are actually very pragmatic in nature. In a nutshell...we will have to follow a set of directions. Yep, those directions that make every shiny new adventure seem somehow tarnished with the drudgery of shuffling through a list of directions. The idea of discipline weakens a bit.
In Exodus 12, the first Passover is about to take place. God has commanded that this time be recognized as the beginning of the year for his chosen people. Even though it is spring, it is seen anew. A new year, a new sense of discipline. And with that comes directions...very specific directions. Directions that will determine life or death. If the blood of the designated sacrificial animal is not smeared in the doorway of the home, there will be no passover of that home and death will result. In addition, directions to be dressed and ready to leave quickly were given. This was a very dire time in Jewish history...only the love and power of God would prevail. Discipline was of the essence and following directions was literally a matter of life and death. These directions were certainly needed yet unloved...no other choice was offered.
In 1Corinthians Paul scolds the early Christians for their lack of following directions and, in turn, losing their sense of self-discipline regarding the agape meal shared before the Lord's Supper. Christ gave us all a set of directions during the sharing of the first Supper; once again, directions that will save our lives--for eternity. He told us to eat the bread that was now his body, given for us. Just as manna during Moses' time kept them alive during the trek from Egypt, now Christ becomes our manna, in giving his life for our continued eternal existence. He also told us to drink the wine--now his blood shed for us. Christ gave his life for us so we may live--and what have we done in return? We many times fail to follow the directions because we lack self-discipline. And the agape meal? We're not doing very well with its representation, either. We are to gather together to share our food for nourishment, yet millions starve every day while unruly sets of rules and regulations prevent tons of grains and other foods getting to them; many of these items are left rotting on docks all over the world. We need to go back to our original set of directions...perfection in their simplicity...Christ is in the details.
Even the disciples in the book of John, when sharing the Lord's Supper with Jesus, kept asking for more directions in the form of the "miraculous sign" (v.30) so they would better understand what Christ said when he told them, "For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world" (6:33). There he was, actually with them, giving them all the answers to the questions they sought, yet their own lack of understanding lead them to question repeatedly. Too caught up in the day-to-day, too worried with the day-to-day to truly hear the simple directives.
And where are we? We're bombarded with "how-tos", how to do things better, infomericals, direction pamphlets, books, and tutorials on practically everything, yet are we any better off?
We have a new year and a fresh start any time we make our peace with God through Christ. We don't need to wait for a specific calendar to roll around to a specific time. We also don't need any other book of directions other than the one that was given to us long ago and continues to be as useful today as it was on day one--our beloved Bible. The best directions are those that are simple, direct, and meant for our well-being in this life as well as the next.
Now those are some directions we both need and can love.
Peace be with you.
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