PSC, Bible Study, 16 April 2019
(UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
... We take for granted SO MUCH, today, our Christian faith. We are spoilt by the enormous freedom and such an easy access to God we have, because of what Jesus did on the cross. I hope when one reads these passages, one is compelled to repent in anyways, one has been taking for granted ...
On a different note, I often feel that some ignore Christian faith, because it "looks" quite unsophisticated (often people from regions where Christianity has been quite well known for a long time - such as in America, today). They are more drawn to eastern religions, which are ridden with sophisticated rituals. Jesus "did-away" with the sophisticated rituals of the Old Testament era and offered rest (Matthew 11:28). But do many "restless-hearts" want to go back to "sophisticated rituals"?! Sigh, there is always tendency to take, so much, to take things for granted!
...
Potential Discussion Questions
- We see here a great emphasis on outer-beauty & wealth (i.e., gold, precious stones, etc). Why & how much do these matter today? (i.e., (1) Compare the outward appearances of Aaron & Jesus - the two high priests, (2) Should a pastor today dress lavishly or modestly?)
- Some reject Christianity saying God of Old Testament is cruel to animals. How do you respond?
First of all from rest of the Scriptures, it is clear that God cares about animals infinitely more than anyone else. Here, I believe one is to slaughter the animal for sacrifice with ut-most care, minimizing the suffering inflicted. But there will still be remnant suffering. And, that does not mean that God is not loving & caring. He is infinitely more loving & caring than anyone else. Whatever love & care one displays, is from God anyways. Now, coming back to the question - why does God allow suffering here on animals to be sacrificed - That is actually part of a broader well-known / very-familiar question, that people have been asking a lot for long long time:- "Why does God allow suffering?" (https://devos20xx.blogspot.com/2017/01/on-suffering.html ). We know He does (even God Jesus had to suffer immensely at the cross) - and again, that does not mean He is not loving & caring or He does not exist. Recall, that His ways are not our ways and we won't always understand why He is allowing suffering.
- Some say God of the Old Testament is very different from God of the New Testament. Why & how do you respond?
- What all comes to your mind when you read these passages? How can these passages change your life?
- Do you feel sorry / unfair that these people had to go through so much to have some access to God?
Well, they should have been super-excited at the prospect of having some access to God, no matter what they had to go through. As, getting access to GOD / "Lord of all" is a big big deal!! We may feel sorry for them, because we have such an easy access to God and we take it for granted.
- What can be possible cons of the fact that we have such an easy to God today?