It’s not what you think . . .

Sometimes in life we think we’ve got it all worked out.

• I plant an apple seed, I get an apple tree.

• I go for a run, I start to sweat.

• I ask someone how they are, they reply saying that they’re good.

• I hit my finger with the hammer, it hurts.

But sometimes we get something different . . .

As a church we have been studying Joshua 14. In this passage, we read about Caleb and the Israelites coming to meet with their leader Joshua in a place called Gilgal. Whoop-dee you might say :p Well, let’s dive a little deeper. Thank You Holy Spirit for Your insight.

Gilgal was a place where the Israelites, after travelling 4o years in the wilderness, re-affirmed their covenant relationship with God and, at that time, all the males were circumcised. Needless to say, it was a place of significant decision-making, a point of no turning back, a place of ‘all in’, a place of change and total commitment - it’s not something you do halfhearted if you know what I mean. All in.

Pause.

New context . . .

In New Testament times, slavery within the Middle East was still very much commonplace. Slaves were bought, sold, traded, used, abused, released . . . the list goes on. Within Jewish culture, slaves were to be set free after serving for 6 years (Exodus 21). That is, at the start of their 7th year, the slave was free to go. Yet, there were some slaves who, despite having been given their freedom, chose to stay. What?! Yes! They would rather serve in that house than be anywhere else. To confirm and affirm that decision, a hammer-like tool would be taken and a hole put through that slave’s ear to mark their decision. They would then be termed a ‘bond servant’. That slave would then serve in that house for the rest of his or her days. Forever marked, tagged, wounded, and confirmed that they chose to serve their master all the days of their life. That’s commitment. All in.

Like circumcision, this piercing of the ear resulted in life-long physical changes that signified a decision, commitment, and change. Blood was shed, lives changed.

Now, imagine with me that same slave is me, or in your case, you. And we make that decision to fully, wholly commit to the Lord. Giving our hearts wholly to Him. Turning from our own ‘free’ ways and determining to serve Him all the rest of our days.

Imagine, taking the pain that came with that commitment, and then heading back into the house or yard to complete our duties only to hear the Master say, “It’s dinner time!”

Thinking that that is our cue to start serving Him and His family kai, we rush inside and start preparing the table . . . only to hear Him say our name, followed by, “. . . it’s dinner time son.” *

You look around for one of His sons, don’t see any others around, only to realise that He is standing there, hand out, talking directly to you. “It’s dinner time son,” He repeats.

You pause yet again, confused as ever, wondering if He had misspoken or made an error . . . but the look in His eyes tells you something different. He IS calling you His very own and He IS asking you to join Him at the table.

Your decision to serve Him all your life has not only resulted in stability, He has given you sonship.

As you tentatively move up to sit at the table, something you’ve never dared to do previously, you wonder how the Master’s other children will view you. Will they be annoyed that you’re suddenly elevated to such a high place? Will they treat you differently?

You carefully lift your eyes to connect with the others around the table and their eyes reflect the Master’s - love, kindness, peace, joy . . .

You’re relieved to say the least and squeeze out a smile, at which point one of them closest to you leans over, smiles and whispers in your ear, “Don’t worry, I felt the same when it happened for me too.”

You lean back slightly perplexed and then scan the entire lot sitting around the table and suddenly you see it - every single one of them, with a hole in their ear.

Throughout your entire life you thought that they were super special to have been born into His household as His very own. They were the special ones, the lucky ones - but now you see it. No, you were wrong. They were all people just like you and me who DECIDED to go ALL IN and serve Him all the days of their lives . . . and in return, He elevated them from slavery (sin) and into sonship (freedom, inheritance).

Now, that’s amazing grace. That’s love. That’s what His kingdom is all about. That’s our God.

Pause.

You look further. And you notice something you’ve never seen before. The Master . . . He too has holes . . .

His left hand. His right. You’re shocked. You’ve never noticed those before. You look under the table and are shocked to see that He also has holes in His feet. He sees you staring at him and smiles back. You remember the cross. You remember calvary. You see it now and everything becomes clear.

You made a decision to commit to serving Him just minutes ago and underwent pain with the piercing of one of your ears. But now you know without any shadow of a doubt that He did far more than that and that He committed to you and humanity for all of eternity, even to the point of death, even before you were born.

This is our King.

He gave it all, so that we could live.

How shall we respond?

Give your all to Him.

And amazingly, He will take you by the hand, lift you up from where you were, and seat you next to Him, covered in His righteousness.

If this impacting you right now, please pray with me:

“Father, thank You for Your amazing sacrifice. Thank You for taking me in and calling me Your very own. I repent of my sin and I commit my life to You today and forever more. Fill me Holy Spirit and lead me . . . and I will follow. I love You Lord and I receive You now. ”

My encouragement to you:

• Connect with a local church to receive encouragement, discipleship and equipping

• Read His Word daily - start with Psalms and Proverbs

• Talk to Him daily - it’s called prayer. Be real and authentic, cry aloud and He will answer

Looking forward to next week - bless you.

Jesus. Son of God. Righteous. Sinless. Perfect. Loving. Kind. King.

* Please do not be distracted by my use of the word “son” if you are female. Consider and receive it in context whanau :) The context of moving from slavery into being a true heir and child of the Most High, male or female.