July 15, 2009

Texts:
Leviticus 1-3
Romans 5

Leviticus:
Welcome to the priest's manual for how to conduct worship in early Judaism.
Why do you think the specificity of the directions was needed? Helpful?

Consider the word "offering" as it weaves its way through the text. Offerings are gifts. They aren't dues. They aren't bills to be paid. Offerings are gifts to the Lord.

What are you offering to God?

Romans:
The word that kept rising up as I read this chapter was "gift". As far as Paul is concerned, our life in Christ is a gift.
What is the appropriate response to a gift?
What did your mother teach you to do when you receive gifts?
I suspect your mother taught you to say thanks. To show your appreciation. To write a note. To live in gratitude for the gift.
I suspect your mother did NOT tell you to offer cash reimbursement to the person who gave you the gift. "Thank you so much for the new socks. Here's $10 to cover your costs." Or, in terms of our faith--"thank you, God, for the gift of life eternal. I'm now going to go and earn that gift on my own."

Consider your life in Christ as a gift. How can you say "thank you" to God for that gift?