December 14: LAYING HOLD

Jesus said to [the Jews], “Before Abraham was, I AM.” John 8:58

It is comical to think of the Baby Jesus stating the above truth about Himself from the manger, yet it is no less true at that time than twelve or thirty or two thousand years later. The Creator had come into the created world as the Redeemer. The words I AM are clearly a quote from Exodus 3:14 when He spoke to Moses from the burning bush. Jesus chose those words purposefully.

We saw yesterday how the birds misunderstood the man who only wanted to show kindness to them by directing them to a place of safety. Being misunderstood by birds actually helped him gain understanding as to why Jesus came into the world. Suddenly, he realized that the Bible is a way to hear from Him who came as a Baby and grew up among His created ones. The response of the Jewish leaders to the statement of Jesus above is very telling:

Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them and so passed by. v.59

Beloved, do not allow any truths from the Lord to go through you and pass by! Being in possession of the Scriptures is not the same thing as laying hold* of them. Our Redeemer came into the world to “lay hold” of each of us by the power of His love. His first role, from our perspective, is Creator, for creating is an outflowing expression of His love! When He had finished creating the heavens and the earth, He created a “sanctuary of time”: the seventh day, and set it apart—sanctified it—as a meeting spot. In Genesis 2:2-3 seventh day is purposefully stated three times! His commandment to Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy is the longest in the decalogue, describing how and when to honor the Lord’s Day, exhibiting trust in what the Alpha and the Omega is doing, has done, and will do. Remembering the Sabbath is a uniquely gentle, yet powerful outreach to the weary world; extending His invitation for welcome rest to all, just as the LORD describes (see Exodus 20:8-11).

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 1:8

In its sacredness, the Sabbath is a promise of future provision as well as a reminder of past provisions. I must not allow the fallen world and the devil (who hates the Lord and His Sabbath) to use me as an instrument against it—or any—teaching in His word.  

*Thus says the LORD: “Keep justice and do righteousness, For My salvation is about to come, And My righteousness to be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this, And the son of man who lays hold on it; Who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.” Isaiah 56:1-2