There was a popular bumper sticker that used to read "surf naked". It spawned a whole litany of "naked" sayings; ski naked, party naked and the like. Folks didn't actually follow what they preached (thankfully). If they had, well, I just don't want to go there.
But today, Paul is saying that followers of Jesus are to run naked. And he means it, and he did it.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus , the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1,2
Nakedness is what brought us shame and death before God (Genesis 3) and yet we read here that it is our willingness to become naked before God that saves us. David understood this when he was caught up in the Spirit of God when the Ark was brought back to Jerusalem (2 Sam 6). His passion for God superseded his self-consciousness.
This brought two reactions from two people;
Michal, daughter of Saul ridiculed him for his actions. His reply to her? "I will become every more undignified that this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes" (2 Sam 6:22). She grew old and died childless.
God, however, responded to David's dance differently. "This is what the Lord says...now I will make your name great...and I will provide my a place for my people Israel" (2 Sam 7:8ff).
When we see God's glory and greatness, when we run with all our passion and might to enter the Gate, we are caught up in the presence of God. We are called to shed our grave clothes that encumber our stride just as Lazarus had! When we shed all that holds us down we look very odd to the world, naked to he honest. We have nothing to fight back with, talk back with, lash out with, defend ourselves with, or save ourselves with.
If we could shed everything that holds us down, we would look like Christ, right before he breathed his last.....
The last two things Jesus shed? blame for those who killed him...and himself to death
are you running naked?
This brought two reactions from two people;
Michal, daughter of Saul ridiculed him for his actions. His reply to her? "I will become every more undignified that this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes" (2 Sam 6:22). She grew old and died childless.
God, however, responded to David's dance differently. "This is what the Lord says...now I will make your name great...and I will provide my a place for my people Israel" (2 Sam 7:8ff).
When we see God's glory and greatness, when we run with all our passion and might to enter the Gate, we are caught up in the presence of God. We are called to shed our grave clothes that encumber our stride just as Lazarus had! When we shed all that holds us down we look very odd to the world, naked to he honest. We have nothing to fight back with, talk back with, lash out with, defend ourselves with, or save ourselves with.
If we could shed everything that holds us down, we would look like Christ, right before he breathed his last.....
The last two things Jesus shed? blame for those who killed him...and himself to death
are you running naked?
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment