July 3 SOAP Devotional

July 3, 2008
Read Exodus 24
To read this text go to: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ex%2024&version=51
Scripture- Exodus 24:11- And though these nobles of Israel gazed upon God, he did not destroy them. In fact, they ate a covenant meal, eating and drinking in his presence!

Observations- It was common practice during this time to share a covenantal meal as the final act of commemorating the covenant. God had just called Moses and the elders of Israel up to the mountain to confirm their intentions to enter into this covenant. Moses returned to the people and they again said that they would obey God and do everything that was being asked of them. As a symbol of this commitment, they built an altar as a memorial and sacrificed animals—also a common practice when making a covenant during this era. The blood was used here as a symbol of the life of the animal and was used to signify both God’s sovereignty over life as well as the sanctity of that God-given life. Once the elaborate ceremony was over, the elders, Moses and God shared a meal together to commemorate, celebrate and solidify the covenantal commitments that were just made.

Application- We have our own covenantal meal. When Jesus was celebrating the Last Supper with the disciples, he took what was present in their traditional celebration and gave it new meaning—the bread now commemorates the breaking of his body for our sin and the cup represents the pouring out of His, “blood of the new covenant, poured out for you, and for many, for the forgiveness of sins,” (Matt. 26:27-29). When we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, we are reaffirming our commitment to serve God and let Him lead our lives. The celebration of this meal is not about us, but about God and what God has done for us through Jesus Christ. The invitation is based on grace; our participation is based on grace, as our lives are lived by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. So, we can approach this meal with great joy because we have encountered the love of God through Jesus Christ our Lord! This is not to be a funeral procession, but a great celebration of thanksgiving for what God has already done for us. The church in Africa celebrates the Lord’s Supper by dancing and singing their way down to the table and then they take their celebration out in to the world. It is the last thing they do in their worship together. What a wonderful picture of the Good News!

Prayer- Gracious God, thank You so much for inviting me to come to Your table and feast on Your grace! I am so grateful for the Good News of who Jesus is and what He has done for us. Thank you for generously offering this wonderful gift to anyone who will come! Amen.

Dancing with Joy!
Pastor Matt