Sabbath: Longing for More
Image © Pacific Press
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: 1 Corinthians 10:1-11, Leviticus 4:32-35, John 1:29, Hebrews 4:1-11, Psalm 95:8-11.
Memory Text: “Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did” (1 Corinthians 10:6).
The Queens Museum of Art in New York, United States, houses the world’s largest architectural model of a city, depicting all of the buildings of New York. On a scale of 1:1,200 (where 2.5 centimeters or 1 inch corresponds to 33 meters or 100 feet) it covers nearly 870 square meters (9,335 square feet). It was originally completed in 1964 by 100 craftsmen who had worked for more than three years to complete the project. It has been updated to the 1990s and does not reflect the 2021 cityscape. It is an amazingly intricate and detailed copy of the original.
In the end, though, it is still just that: a copy, a model, a representation of something grander, bigger, deeper, and much more intricate than the model itself.
That’s how all models are, actually. They are not the original but function only as symbols of the originals. A model helps us grasp the essence of the original, but it can never replace it. Rather, it is there to help people better understand what the original is all about.
Scripture itself is full of miniature models of activities and institutions that all point to larger, heavenly realities. Hebrews 4 helps us discover one of these realities as it relates to the biblical question of rest.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, September 11.
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There is an inherent perception that the model and reality are in different places or times. Perhaps a better way of reading this week's lesson is to change our language from "earthly" and "heavenly" with something that reflects growth in understanding.
I will try and illustrate. I could show you a flat stick with numbered equidistant marks on it and tell you that it should be called a "length measuring instrument". Then I could set you the task of finding more "length measuring instruments". If you only found more flat sticks with marks on them you would have satisfied the letter of my task, but you would have missed rangefinders, ultrasonic devices, telescopes, theodolites, microwave measurement instruments and so on. (I am in the process of making a little ultrasound distance measuring device for a project I have in mind. It uses a little device called an Arduino and a handful of other bits or electronics - but I digress)
The point is that if we stopped at the flat-stick model of measuring instruments, we would have missed a whole lot of others that are available right here and now.
And the spiritual application is ... Well, I'm not going to blow it all in one comment am I?
How do we come to 'see' and understand a reality that is so far above and beyond the one we are used to (Isaiah 55:8,9; 1 Corinthians 2:9; 13:12)? Short answer - not very well.
Yet God wants us to begin to understand/'know' His Kingdom - and to grow in that understanding and knowing across time. How is this going to be possible? Jesus often asked "to what shall I compare the Kingdom of God" (eg Luke 13:18,20) and then proceeded to illustrate aspects of that Kingdom via an ever expanding range of analogies - each analogy designed to add a little more awareness to the others. Daniel and Revelation - the most comprehensive portrayals of aspects of the unseen realities that lie behind that which is seen - are also filled with symbols that are trying to do the same thing.
As a consequence of the deterioration of humanity commencing at Genesis 3 and subsequently continuing over thousands of years, we are presently unable to comprehend the literal realities of the unseen realm. But as per Jesus teachings, we can begin to grasp awareness of aspects of the principles of those realities.
I would invite you to consider this concept as you explore this week's lesson. I would invite you to deliberately attempt to go beyond consideration of the literal form of things and instead intentionally begin to ponder the principle/s that the analogies and metaphors are attempting to open to our awareness. 'Concrete thinking' is the starting point that opens the door to 'abstract thinking' (as per Piaget's later 'stages' of cognitive development).
Let's see and share what we find as we do this...
I like the imagery that you are using here Maurice. You are overtly suggesting that the moment anyone comes in close proximity of an instrument that personified a measuring device one would acknowledge its usefulness and the things it's. The things that we see that (reminds) points us that Sabbath (relationship) is eminent is tha each of us cultivate the opportunities we have to share with those who is not as fortunate like we are. So for the coming days let's begin to look for ways to help.
What is the essential aspect/ingredient missing in man which is being restored to the Original? Reading the lesson's title immediately brought to mind that which I long for more/most - Love! I think that which is being restored in us is the full capacity to love our heavenly Father and to love our fellow man.
John6:31-32KJV -"Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then Jesus said unto them, 'Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world."
This passage is referenced when reading 1Cor.10:1-11KJV. Christ Jesus, the bread from heaven, contains all the nutrition the living soul needs to come alive and stay alive.
Manna, an imperfect model, as the symbol pointing to the Savior Christ Jesus and the Father's message as the original. They contain the complete, spiritual food the living soul needs to survive.
I am looking forward to enjoy our fellowship as we feast on the Bread of Life!
Scripture brings to the reader truth on many topics which center on the character, government, and purposes of God. Even the deepest understanding will only give the seeker a view through a "dark glass", a mere representation of what only those who gain entrance into the Kingdom of God will know of by experience.