Good Friday

I'm fascinated by God's score for our lives. Not "score" as in an accounting but "score" as in the orchestration of all of the various parts that individually make no sense but collectively come together in a way we could never plan or enact on our own.

I've fallen behind in my Bible In A Year reading, bogged down in Deuteronomy. Once I got past the laws covering everything natural (from nocturnal emissions to "waste management") and perverse (rape, cross-dressing) and mundane (don't wear clothes of wool/linen blend), I labored through the curses outlined for the disobedient and got past the horrifying statement that "Just as the LORD has found great pleasure in causing you to prosper and multiply, the LORD will find pleasure in destroying you (if you are disobedient)." Obey and God will bless you. Disobey and God will curse you. We're reminded that obedience is not unattainable, but it is a matter of discipline - "the message is close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart so that you can obey it."

However, our disobedience was inevitable. I began to understand the significance of John 3:16.

In reading about Moses's last days, I'm seeing parallels with New Testament scripture about Christ's last days. Moses summoned all the Israelites and said to them, "You have seen with your own eyes everything the LORD did in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to his whole country-all the great tests of strength, the miraculous signs, and the amazing wonders. But to this day the LORD has not given you minds that understand, nor eyes that see, nor ears that hear! ... You ate no bread and drank no wine... but he gave you food so you would know that he is the LORD your God."

In Christ's last days he performed many miracles and demonstrated the power of God. He told parables exemplifying righteousness, right living and right choices...but few people had eyes for seeing or ears for hearing. Christ became our God-given bread and wine.

"Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life."

It is the choice between life and death. It is a matter of love. Love God, give your heart to Him. He gave His son for you. There is no greater sacrifice.