Life's Inanities and Ironies

 Today, I want to invite you on a profound spiritual journey—a journey that takes us back thousands of years, into the very heart of ancient Israelite worship, and then catapults us forward to the eternal truth of our salvation in Jesus Christ. We’re going to explore Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, and discover how this solemn observance illuminates the glorious work of our Savior. Now, as Christians, we live under grace, not under the Law. This is a foundational truth of our faith, and it’s a truth that sets us free! Yet, to dismiss the Old Testament, to ignore the rich tapestry of God’s dealings with Israel, would be to miss the very blueprint for understanding our redemption. As the writer of Hebrews reminds us, the Law, its rituals, and its sacrifices were but a "shadow of the good things to come, and not the true form of these realities" (Hebrews 10:1). The shadows always point to a substance, and for us, that substance is Christ. Yom Kippur: A Day of Holy Awe Y...

Today, I want us to journey into a part of our spiritual heritage that, while distinct, offers profound insights into the very heart of our Christian faith. We’re going to explore the Jewish High Holy Days, particularly what are known as the “Days of Awe.” Now, some of you might be thinking, "Why are we looking at Jewish traditions? We are followers of Jesus, the Messiah!" And that's a vital question. Indeed, we are Christians, believing that Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets. However, as Paul so eloquently reminds us in Romans 11, we are "wild olive shoots grafted into the cultivated olive tree" of Israel. Our faith doesn't exist in a vacuum; it has deep, rich roots in God's ancient covenant with His people. By understanding these roots, we gain a fuller, more vibrant appreciation for the salvation we have in Christ. Rosh Hashanah: The Day of Judgment and Remembrance The Days of Awe, or Yamim Nora'im in Hebrew, are a ten-day period that begin...