WCF Blog
The Golden Altar
I’m pretty sure we would have figured it out anyway, but the writer to the Hebrews leaves us in no doubt whatever: the tabernacle and temple detailed in the Old Testament are symbolic. In Hebrews 9:8-9 the writer says, “By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing (which is symbolic for the present age).” The outer portion represents the current setup, the inner portion representing the presence of God Himself, which only the High Priest may enter. You might want to stop right here and reread all of chapter 9, particularly verses 23-24. And while you’re there, look at 6:19-20 and 10:19-22. Very clearly, it’s all symbolic.
Mindful
In the address we know as the “Sermon on the Mount”, Jesus counsels us to have no worries about what we will eat or wear, because “your heavenly Father knows that you need them all”. He knows it, He will take care of it. (Matthew 6:25-34) Jesus says this just moments after teaching us to pray, “Give us today our bread for tomorrow” (verse 11). God already knows we need it, promises He’s got it taken care of. So why are we to ask for it?
Name Change
Why did Saul of Tarsus change his name? We can’t know for sure of course, but here’s a thought.
Stories
Good stories tend to work like this: The hero(ine) is described, building sympathy for her/him. Trouble in some form enters, almost always in the person of a villain. The villain has greater power, and inflicts hardship or worse on the hero(ine) and his/her allies. By a combination of character, resourcefulness and maybe some luck, the hero(ine) is able to prevail.
Crucified
“I have been crucified with Christ,” Paul writes to the Galatians. He touches on the same idea in Romans 6, where he says of all who have been baptized into Christ, that “our old self was crucified with him.” Jesus himself originated the idea, telling us that anyone who would follow him must take up their own cross and follow him—clearly meaning to follow him to death, on that cross.
Cast Down
“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?” The writer of Psalms 42-43 (from among the sons of Korah) expresses something all of us have felt. He asks the question repeatedly—it’s really bothering him. This is what today we would call self-talk, something we know to be very powerful, affecting our attitudes, our decision making, and our behavior. The psalmist’s words resonate with us. There are certainly times in every believer’s life when we are down like he is.