This week we are looking at precious materials and relating them to aspects of our daily life as disciples, starting with the precious metal, Gold. When Jesus was visited by the Magi from the East, the first gift given was gold, chosen to mark out the infant Jesus as Divine (coming from God). Jesus was born to be King, with royal parentage. What royal crown has ever been made without gold and precious gems?
Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem was constructed using a large amount of gold, perhaps more than 21 tonnes of it was donated in one year. Gold was, and still is, a valuable material, and whenever there is uncertainty about global currencies, the price of gold soars – and many national banks keep reserves in gold as a security which will hold a value more tangible than the global currencies which can be very volatile.
Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in the Lord’s temple: the golden altar; the golden table on which was the bread of the Presence; the lampstands of pure gold (five on the right and five on the left, in front of the inner sanctuary); the gold floral work and lamps and tongs; the pure gold basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, dishes and censers; and the gold sockets for the doors of the innermost room, the Most Holy Place, and also for the doors of the main hall of the temple.
1 Kings 7: 48-50 [NIV]
Gold is refined (made more pure) by melting which causes the less dense impurities to float to the surface where they can be easily removed. In the same way, disciples are refined by spending time in the “furnace” of persecution, suffering or life-troubles.
Is the heat of the furnace affecting you currently? Be sure that all times of refining will result in an increase in purity.
Lord, help me to be understand the precious nature of the way you created me. Thank you for adopting me into your royal family. Purify my heart in the refining fire of your crucible. In Jesus name, Amen.
Dave MacLellan
No comments:
Post a Comment