The Covenant

Traditional Jewish Engagement/Wedding - (as it was described to me)

A man decides he wants to get married.   He then goes to the girl's father and they discuss the bride price.  After the price has been set they take a cup of wine, when it touches the lips the deal is sealed.   The groom agrees to the bride price and he drinks.   Then he turns to the girl and says "this is the cup of my covenant, will you agree to the deal."   

The cup touches her lips and the deal is sealed.  

She is promised to him.  

He is promised to her.

Then they part ways.  He goes to his fathers house to prepare a place for his bride.   The whole extended family would be living in the same courtyard.  Each son who marries adds a room to his father's house for his wife.   

Meanwhile the bride is in her own home preparing herself for her grooms arrival.   She stops all other plans and begins in earnest to prepare to be a wife.   She learns from her mother, her aunts, and the other married ladies the things that she needs to know for her future marriage.  She is busy preparing herself for that great day when the groom will come and get her. All the while she will be totally faithful to him.  

Into this culture - enter JESUS.   

Luke 22:20 - Jesus took the cup, saying "This cup is the new covenant" 
(remember, what this means in the Jewish culture?)

Luke 22:42 - Jesus prayed; "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will , but yours be done" (he had made a commitment, he would keep it)

John 14:1-3 - Jesus says; "Do not let your hearts be troubled.  You believe in God; believe also in me.  My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?   And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."  

(according to the Jewish customs this sounds a whole lot like a marriage proposal followed by the preparations that need to take place)  

And now...
While the groom has gone to his Father's house to make preparations for his bride, What is the bride doing? 

Stop Doing List

Here's a "Stop doing list" from Phil Cook

1. Stop avoiding responsibility     "Own It"
2. Stop multitasking                      "Focus"
3. Stop talking                              
4. Stop complaining                      (How much time do we spend complaining to people who can't fix the problem?)
5. Stop working randomly             (Find your most productive time and use it.)
6. Stop ignoring your story
• your past
• your family
• what makes you different? 
• what makes you stand out? 
• what makes you, you? 

If you can tap into who you are it will transform what you do!   

The WORD

 
On the book of John...

Why the use of the word "Word" to refer to Jesus Christ?

Here is a key Old Testament passage to understanding God's "Word".  

Isaiah 55:10-11
As the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, So is my word that goes out from my mouth:  it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.   
  
What does this tell us about The Word? 

1. It is sent from God
2. It will accomplish what it was sent for
3. It always returns with a message of accomplisment

In the Old Testament God sent his word to guide his people. 
In the New Testament Jesus came to us as God's word.