The highest level reached by a body of water, a river, is called the high-water mark. It is also used to mean the highest point of a person's career Their greatest achievement. The apex of their life. What is the high-water mark of your Christian experience?

We are approaching the time of the year set aside to commemorate the greatest achievement in the life of Jesus Christ. That goal toward which God had been struggling with us since the Garden episode. A relationship was broken then. Since, He has been working with us to mend the wound. It is His purpose for us. His desire. It is a relationship with the apex of His creation He seeks. We really need to keep that in mind as we evaluate the direction toward which we move in our lives. In a most dramatic way, God became flesh to demonstrate His profound desire for companionship with His creation. He died on the cross to reestablish the relationship we had before the fall; a Holy Communion.

Probably, if we asked what the high-water mark of our Savior's life was, most would say His crucifixion. Maybe. However, consider another. Is it possible that the highest point of His "career" was His ascension? It marked the end of His earthly "career." Was it the high-water mark as well? The crucifixion was, almost, obligatory. Necessary before we could begin, once again, to have a relationship with our Heavenly Father. It was the key that opened the door - rent the veil. The question is whether or not achieving our salvation is the apex of our individual Christian careers or just the beginning - the prerequisite?

In so many ways, Jesus seemed to be saying salvation was just the beginning. Accepting Him as our Lord and believing in Him as our Savior is a cleansing - a "bath for the soul." The Host washing His guest's feet. Preparation of the bride for her groom. Was the purpose of the visit to wash feet? Is the bride's preparation the goal, or is it the marriage?

If we could ever move beyond the rapture of His saving gift, we might be able to realize the relationship beyond. If we could ever overcome the fascination with the "Great-Band-aid in the Sky," solving all our problems and protecting us from all our difficulties, we might see the extended hand of Holy friendship. The profound significance of these things are never to be demeaned or taken for granted. But are they the prelude to something even greater? Of course we are saved. Of course He will look after our every need as the flowers of the field and the birds of the air.

He walked and talked with Adam and Eve in the Garden before they chose to ignore His wishes, would He walk with us and talk with us? Listen to this, "And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: ... And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?" Gen 3:8-9 (KJV) Wow, wouldn't that be a high-watermark in anyone's life! We are His children. Our sins have been forgiven. Is He not talking or are we not listening? †

Answer: "Because by faith I am a member of Christ and so I share in his anointing. I am anointed to confess his name, to present myself to him as a living sacrifice of thanks, to strive with a good conscience against sin and the devil in this life, and afterward to reign with Christ over all creation for all eternity." Compelling.

It is recorded in Acts 11:26, the word "Christian" was first used in Antioch as a derogatory term for Jesus' disciples. Many years, centuries perhaps, passed before His followers adopted the term for themselves. In that time, His followers were tearing themselves away from the synagogue and Judaism. They were becoming increasingly Gentile. And, about this time, claiming to be a Christian was a crime against the state. As such, it became a badge of honor and a mark of distinction.

Born in strife and turmoil, interestingly, it derivation suggest slaves belonging to a great household. How very appropriate. Peter wrote, However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 1 Peter 4:16 NIV Should we be ashamed, then, to proclaim ourselves Christians? For centuries, it has stood for the followers, if not the "slaves" of Christ. Should we not praise God that we bear His name?

By him therefore let us offer

The sacrifice of praise to God

Continually, that is , the fruit of our lips

Giving thanks to his name.

Hebrews 13:15 KJV

Can you imagine sitting on your patio and, on hearing someone approach, turn to find the Lord God Almighty approaching? They may not have had a patio, theologians incessantly debate whether He, His voice or an even more abstract visitation was actually there - doubting, we suspect, His ability to appear in whatever manner suited Him - but He was there, there in the garden of Adam and Eve. It is recorded,

And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

Genesis 3:8 (KJV)

Such an amazing possibility. The Creator, the Lord of the universe in our garden, stopping by for a visit. Aren't we glad we tidied up the house. Adam and Eve were a bit negligent on that score. Was it His intent, like a mother-in-law, to catch them with "dirty laundry?" Probably that is the most popular interpretation. But, it doesn't make too much sense for Him to behave in such a manner. Maybe He came into the garden that day wanting them to confess their transgressions. Is it possible God visited our ancestors before that rather unhappy occasion?

And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. Genesis 2:19 (KJV)

Why not?

Well, not unexpectedly, our first parents, took in the welcome mat. YHWH didn't, they did. He didn't interrupt the relationship; they did. He was seeking a relationship then, He has been attempting to reestablish it since. He will dwell among us. On His next attempt, He ordered an ark built and a tent, a tabernacle, in which to house it. One author described the tabernacle as a symbol of God's desire to have a relationship with human beings.

A courtyard surrounded the tent. Within the tent was a room and within the room another room. That dreadful day, back in the garden, still clouded the relationship. The people of Israel were only permitted into the courtyard. Just the priests could enter the tabernacle - the outer room. Once a year the High Priest was permitted to enter the other room - the Holy of Holies. Here resided the ark and upon the ark the very presence of the Lord God Almighty. When the tabernacle was completed, the Pillar of Cloud that had guided them on their journey to the Promised land, descended and took up residence. He dwelt among His people once more. Eventually the tabernacle and the ark were lost in history. Jerusalem and Solomon's Temple, their last presumed location, were destroyed. We pulled in the welcome mat again.

Centuries later, it is recorded in John (1:14) that He came to visit once more.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

As an aside, Strong's Greek/Hebrew Dictionary translates "dwelt" as -- 4637 (seknoo) to tent or encamp, 4633 (skene) a tent or cloth hut. God "tabernacled" among us once more. For a brief time He dwelt in our garden and walked among us. Now, He "tabernacles" within us.

Where once the sin of Adam separated us and skins and veils, priests and rituals, sacrifices and tributes nothing does today. Our High Priest entered the Holy of Holies for one last time, made one last blood sacrifice and threw the doors of the temple wide open for all to enter into an unrestricted relationship with Him.

Every time a vestment or miter, a narthex or chancel interfers, it is as though we are rejecting God's offer to dwell within us. Once, long ago, Adam chose his way. Once, long ago, the Chosen People rejected God's Kingship in favor of a king like other nations had. Why is it we keep repeating the mistakes of the past? †  

 Why are you a Christian? What purpose do you see for your life. What are you aiming for? What’s your life’s goal -- your target? How is your life different now than before you accepted Jesus Christ?

Critical questions. Christian and secular authorities and motivational speakers provide pretty convincing evidence that goals and purposes mold and shape our lives. However, we don’t need experts to persuade us what common sense already tells us. We know that, as Christians, our lives have been changed. We’ve turned around. Right. From what to what -- and why?

Can there be any other purpose, any other goal, any other driving force, any other focus than to glorify God? Not because you have to, but because you want to glorify Him. Isn’t the force driving your ambition -- gratitude? Isn’t the goal to glorify?

Wasn’t it the realization that the Lord God Almighty came to earth as a humble servant and died as a criminal for all of us? Isn’t that what happened to turn your life around? Why he did it isn’t as important as realizing the certainty that it happened.

If you haven’t come to this realization, when you do, it will change your life!

The Creator.. (Words fail to name Him. There is no word or phrase adequate to encapsulate, even for thought and communication the Sovereign, the Almighty -- God. Ancient Hebrews didn’t even try. They thought it blasphemous even to attempt to have such a word.)..this “ultimate” assumed human form to re-establish His relationship with us -- for a second

time.

Is it absurd to suggest that all else we might focus upon is a distraction; a sideshow? Answers to prayers, eternal life, heaven? These things aren’t our focus. They can be distractions, but they aren’t our life’s goals. Not for Christians. “Are you saved?” may be the wrong question. “Do you love God?”, is more to the point. †

The Biblical Nations of Israel and the Children of God

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There is a distinct difference between the nations of Israel found in the pages of the Old Testament, what exists today and what is to come. The first nation was to have been a theocracy with God as its divine ruler. It was to be His holy nation. And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel (Exodus 19:6). They, could have been an example of spirituality for the world to see.

It never happened. They refused to enter Canaan and as a consequence, But for you, your carcasses, they shall fall in this wilderness (Numbers 14:32). They did not capture all the land (ever) nor vanquish all the people as directed, And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger (v. 12).

The second nation began with judges ruling instead of God," Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them (Judges 2:16). Unfortunately, most of the judges were corrupt and ungodly. Things went from bad to worse. God and His judges were rejected, they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them (1 Samuel 8:7). Three earthly kings, Saul, David and Solomon put an end to any pretense of a united nation of Israel. The yearning for an earthly ruler over a powerful and mighty Israel flavors the Hebrew people’s notions of the Messiah. It even flavored the disciple’s thoughts, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom of Israel? (Acts 1:6).

The third Biblical nation was a time of civil war between two tribes called "Judah" and ten tribes called "Israel." In actuality, the nation did not exist. Solomon’s Temple was plundered and desecrated. Jeroboam, king of "Israel," established a second at Beth-el and Dan in violation of sacred law. In 586 BC, Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed by a Babylonian invasion. The ark was never to be heard of again. According to the Mishna (Talmud), the temple, rebuilt in 516 by the king of Persia lacked five things, the ark, the sacred fire, the shekhinah (a theophany, a manifestation or divine attribute of God), the Holy Spirit and the Urim and Thummim. Much like Israel, it was a spiritually empty shell. Herod was rebuilding this empty shell during the earthly ministry of Jesus. The story of the Children of Israel is interrupted to be finished somewhere in the future. Israel was not conceived by the human mind, it will not be restored by human hands.

Through all its turbulence, the nation of Israel fulfilled a unique part of God’s eternal plan. The "Children of Israel," (Jeremiah 50:4) nourished one who was a worshiping and serving Savior of the world. Yet, this people were the sons of Israel (Jeremiah 3:21) or the children of Jacob (2 Kings 17:34) thus connecting them with their mortal ancestor. They were called the Children of Abraham (Acts 13:26) because they counted themselves from the lineage of Abraham. Christians are the "Children of God." For we are also his offspring (Acts17:28) "Divine fatherhood," we are told, "attains its full spiritual and moral significance in the New Testament." to which we say Amen. As children, He constantly sustains us. Our continued existence depends upon Him. Like children, we are constantly dependent upon Him. We are members of His family with "full rights and privileges – and responsibilities. Because you are sons, Paul writes in Galatians 4:6, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." We have no need for priests. Jesus is our intercessor, our high priest. We are His heirs.

GOD’S
EXTERNAL MANIFESTATIONS And HIS INTIMATE SPIRIT

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There is an old saying "seeing is believing." Thomas, the disciple, seemed inclined that way. While given the opportunity, we might not ask to see and touch the sacred wounds as he (John 20:25) but for most of the history of the human race we have acted exactly that way. Perhaps that’s why, knowing our inclinations, God determined first we should see, and only after perceive.

Moses saw God’s spirit in the burning bush. First hand, the Pharaoh saw His mighty power. The people of Israel saw the Red Sea part and crossed on dry land. They watched the armies of Egypt swallowed up. Pillars of cloud and fire guided them and they were fed with heavenly food. There was a tabernacle and a temple in which to pay homage, an ark of His presence and a priesthood to perform sacred sacrificial rites. The Law was written on stone. The disciples saw Jesus, His ministry and miracles, His death, resurrection and ascension.

Under the Law, everything was manifested externally. Sacrifices were, the pillars of cloud and fire were, the Ark and the priesthood were. The angel of the LORD appeared to Moses, And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt (Exodus 3:2). That surely got his attention. These were "attention getters." The required separation of the ancient Nation of Israel, was an overt manifestation of God’s intent for us to have a singleness of purpose in our personal lives. God’s order for Israel to drive out the inhabitants of Canaan is a representation of His being a jealous God. Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God (Exodus 34:14).

The external, provisional, and temporary nature of the Old Testament Covenant was full of things outwardly visible sometimes fleeting, sometimes superficial. Unlike these ancient people, we didn’t see Jesus’ miracles. We didn’t see His healings, or His sacred ministry. We don’t live as a holy nation commissioned to destroy all non-believers within our borders – we are to love them. We don’t have to go to the Temple worship or make sacrifices. We don’t have to have a visible priesthood to intercede on our behalf. Yet we are as blessed – maybe more so. This He said to us, blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed (John 20:29). It is we who are to do a greater work than even He (John 14:12) because we worship a risen Savior who dwells within our hearts.

Today, Jesus presence is internal. He dwells within each of us unceasingly and perpetually – and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matthew 28:20). His law is written on our hearts, not on stone. That which is most fundamental to our Christian personality is Jesus. He is the innermost quality of our being, our compass and our guide. In Matthew 6:21, it is written that Jesus said, For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. He didn’t just mean financial assets however important they are, he meant our desires and affections. "What a man loves" wrote Martin Luther, "that is his God." And too, in Luke we read, A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh (Luke 6:45).

It was never meant to be that way. God never intended a superficial relationship with His most precious creation. Our ancient ancestors saw the outward beauty of that which was forbidden. They hid themselves from Him. The hearts of men turned away – early. Oh that there were such an heart in them, the Lord God lamented, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments (Deuteronomy 5:29). Wherefore the Lord said, this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, (Isaiah 29:13). Jesus spoke of insincere prayers, insincere sacrifices, insincere and insincere worship. He quoted the above passage in Matthew 15:8. Let us pray that we may hear His voice and open the door of our hearts to Him.

Search for the Ark of the Covenant
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And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat (Exodus 25:22)

A number of years ago, an exciting movie was made about a search for the "Holy Grail," the cup presumably used at the "Last Supper." Several of the crusades and numerous modern day expeditions also had intentions of finding and recovering this most blessed artifact.

What we don’t hear anything about is a search for the Ark containing the Ten Commandments God gave Moses, the golden pot of Manna and Aaron’s rod (Hebrews 9:3). Why not, why aren’t we searching for these most sacred relics? The ark itself wasn’t very big, 2 ½ x 1 ½ x 1 ½ cubits, that about four feet long and a little over two feet high and wide, but what a find it would be.

All the time Israel was on its trek through the wilderness, God’s physical presence was among them as a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night (Exodus 13:21). Once the Tabernacle was completed, Bezaleel made the ark out of acacia wood and they entered into the land of their inheritance, it became a replacement for the pillars of cloud and fire. God’s presence remained among the nation of Israel uninterrupted. Even though the Israelites treated it as an icon imbued with magical powers, despite losing it in battle to the Philistines His presence remained. Though they abandoned it at Kiriath-jearim where it remained for many years in Abinadab’s home (Is it possible that he might have used it as a coffee table?), He was with them.

When David set up operations at Mount Zion, he brought the ark there (2 Samuel 6:17). Then Solomon placed the ark in the Holy of Holies of the temple he constructed. Unfortunately, at that point, the "kettle of Manna" and Aaron’s staff were missing from the contents (1 Kings 8:9). There is no accounting how they wound up missing, they just were. The ark remained in the Temple until Nebuchadnezzar destroyed it. What happened to the ark? No one knows. It disappeared never to be seen or heard of again. It was not in the second temple. It was not in the third temple. Whatever substitutes were used on which to offer the blood of sacrifices, they were not the ark. It was gone.

The importance of the ark was not in its construction or its contents or even its location. Its importance was just like that of the pillars of cloud and fire. It was a symbol of Gods very presence among the Israelites. Volumes could be written on the significance of how casually they treated such a sacred symbol, the connection of God with His chosen people. Because of His presence, the ark was always carefully screened from the eyes of laymen, both in its journeying and in its resting-places. Those "unauthorized" who came in contact with the ark suffered dire consequences. That is why only a high priest could enter the Holy of Holies and he, very cautiously, once a year. Yet, it was lost and no history speaks of how or why. Isn’t that extraordinary?

The Old Testament is eloquent evidence that God departed from His people. The Nation tore itself apart in civil war and it was conquered. First Assyria carried many into exile (2 Kings 17:6). Babylon exiled many others (2 Kings 24:14). When Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and its grand Temple, God no longer dwelt among the nation of Israel. By 587 B. C., His presence was totally removed. It ceased to exist as a nation. The Greeks ruled Palestine from 332 to 167 B. C. followed by the Romans in 63 B.C. Herod, in the time of Christ, ruled as a king of the Roman Empire. A corrupt priesthood ministered their perverted, legalistic religion. Israel will return when the Word returns.

There is no parallel we can draw upon in our own experience because Christianity does not focus on the holiness of things, places or nations, but upon the holiness of persons. God no longer hides himself behind a shroud or a priest. He no longer demands the blood of sacrifice. Jesus is our pillar of cloud and fire. He is our Temple, our Ark of the Covenant, and our Holy of Holies. He is the blood sacrifice that allows us to enter into the very presence of God. He is our High Priest forever. Pray to God we are not as casual with the Holy Spirit in our personal lives as Israel was with the ark of His presence in its life.