7-7-20 THOUGHTS

I’m on the edge of a sermon this morning.  I’ve been deep in thought for some time, and here’s a thought that emerged.  It’s kind of silly, but I hope you can identify.

I have watched and participated in many Lord’s Supper’s over my years.  Each time it is sobering and important to the souls of the Church who participate.   But right now, I remember a young boy/man waiting on the table for his first time.  Nervous/ Scared to death?  Fearful he would do something wrong or forget what to say!  I’ve sympathized with many men over the years who were new to the process, not used to being in front of groupes of people.  Years ago one presiding began to offer prayer for the fruit of the vine before the bread.  It was merely nerves!  

Then I’m reading of the High Priest Aaron in Leviticus 16 on the Day of Atonement.   Wow!
The very first verse of Lev 16 says “Now the LORD spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they had approached the presence of the LORD and died.”  Go back to
Lev 10:1-2  where  Nadab and Abihu, offered strange fire before the Lord and died!
Lev 16:29-30   "This shall be a permanent statute for you: in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall humble your souls and not do any work, whether the native, or the alien who sojourns among you; 30  for it is on this day that atonement shall be made for you to cleanse you; you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD.
Read all of  Lev 16:2-21  
A short section says...      “11  "Then Aaron shall offer the bull of the sin offering which is for himself and make atonement for himself and for his household, and he shall slaughter the bull of the sin offering which is for himself. 12  "He shall take a firepan full of coals of fire from upon the altar before the LORD and two handfuls of finely ground sweet incense, and bring it inside the veil. 13  "He shall put the incense on the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of incense may cover the mercy seat that is on the ark of the testimony, otherwise he will die.”
The mind of the man reading about the High Priest Aaron and the mind of the young boy waiting on the Lord’s Table for the first time come together for a second...   If I was in Aaron’s place... I WOULD BE SCARED TO DEATH!  

You and I come before God as sinners in need of grace.  The “PROCESS FEAR” of the boy gives way to an understanding a GRACIOUS GOD WHO GAVE HIS SON!  The man now sees THE PLAN  of “God’s good pleasure.”   

 “For God so loved the world..”
1John 2:28    And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

My Prayer:
Oh Awesome God of heaven and earth, we give honor and praise to your name.  From your might and power, teach us of your tender mercies.  Help us to learn grace that we can cease from trembling at our poor behavior.  We sin and beg forgiveness.  Help us to see your mercy in all.  Thank you Oh God for being the God you have revealed yourself to be!  Accept our love.
In Jesus name                   Amen