LOOKING BACK (Job 36:24–37:15)

Last Sunday, we reflected on the harmony between our faith and a proper application of scientific inquiry. A great scientist of the past, Johannes Kepler, said “Science is the process of thinking God’s thoughts after Him.” 

We saw in the case of electricity that it has been present in lightning storms since the world was created, but the investigation of how it works (motivated by fear of God) has, in the faithful love of God, led to all kinds of beneficial innovations that are powered by electricity. At one time, some thought that to try to mitigate the effects of lightning was, in effect, to attempt to subvert the sovereignty of God who unleashes the storm from which they come. However, God is still sovereign over the effects of every lightning bolt, even if we use our God-given talents to understand how His lightning works and then find ways to avert the disasters they otherwise may cause.

We applied this principle to all scientific inquiry, essentially seeing that Kepler was correct in his definition. We saw:

1. Every lightning bolt is shot from the hand of God, never misses its target, and never fails to accomplish its divine purpose. 
2. Lightning is mediated through atmospheric “channels” set in place by the Creator.
3. The normal habits of lightning, not understood, destroy. 
4. Lightning’s channels are eventually understood by humans, a discovery driven by fear of harm. 
5. Lightning, understood and redirected by human innovation, still obeys God’s will. 
6. Harnessed lightning becomes harnessed electricity.
7. Electricity, harnessed and employed by man’s innovation, showcases God’s love to us in his design of lightning.

We were encouraged to renew our awe in God, and to admire His faithful love in the blessings that are ours as we learn to think His thoughts after Him, to understand and to harness the power which courses through His creation in so many amazing ways.

LOOKING AHEAD (Hebrews 3:1-6)

We’re going to be back in Hebrews on Sunday, following the encouragement of the author to consider Jesus (meaning to give very careful thought to Him). His original readers were thinking a lot about returning to follow Moses, certainly the “celebrity” of the Old Covenant. This was appealing to them as a way to avoid some of the difficulties that following Christ had resulted in.

We, too, face lots of temptations to leave off from following Christ in favor of something we think is easier, better or “cooler” in the moment. But what do we see when we carefully consider Jesus in comparison with Moses?

Moses…	But Jesus…
Introduced the Passover – God ransomed Israel from their slavery to Egypt through the blood of the sacrificed lamb	Is Himself the Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7), Who ransoms His people from slavery to sin by His own sacrificial blood
As the people thought, gave the people manna to eat and water from the rock to drink (It actually came from god)	Is Himself the Bread of Life and the Living Water to His people – fulfilling the shadows that were ministered to the people through Moses
Mediated the Old Covenant, receiving the Law of God on Sinai (from angels, apparently) and sprinkling the people with the blood of the covenant (Exodus 24:6–8)	Mediated the New Covenant by fully satisfying the righteous demands of the law throughout His life and shedding His own blood at the cross (Mark 14:24)
Instituted the ceremonial law with its animal sacrifices system that cleansed the people outwardly so that God could dwell AMONG them	Instituted the law of love, offering Himself as a sacrifice that cleansed His people inwardly so that God could dwell WITHIN them
Exercised a ministry that was essentially a ministry of death (exposing and condemning sin) that has transient and fading glory	Exercised (and continues) a ministry of life (setting His people free from slavery to the fear of death) that has transcendent and eternal glory
As a prophet, foretold One “like Him” whom God would send, to whom the people should listen	Is Himself “The Prophet” Moses foretold – we should listen to Him!
Was a creature – brought into being by God	Is the Creator, through Whom all things were made that have been made
Is therefore a servant IN God’s house	Is a Son OVER God’s house – and we are that house if we hold fast to Him!

Therefore, Christ is in every way better even than the “celebrity” Moses, who really did great things in God’s house and yet whose glory was totally eclipsed by that of Jesus. 

Who or what would you think is worth deserting this Jesus to follow? Who is better than Him, or more worthy of your trust and your loyalty?