Issue #1,136 – Of Relics (and other things) – April 21, 2023
The other evening, Kathy and I watched a documentary about one of the attempts to find the remains of Noah’s Ark on Mount Ararat in Türkiye. Only time will tell whether or not any part of the ark remains there or if it is even the proper mountain range.
It would be fascinating to see what the Bible describes. Still, all three monotheistic faiths would claim it validates their own position. The discovery of the Ark wouldn’t make my faith any stronger. The Ark fascinates people and speculates endless debate.
Similarly, the Shroud of Turin attracts and divides. I don’t know whether it is the shroud from Christ’s burial or not, and either way, if it is ever determined, it won’t matter to my faith. My faith isn’t contingent upon the historicity of a piece of ancient cloth.
The so-called Holy Grail has been the search of countless treasure hunts and the theme of numerous mystery and action novels and movies. It has been shown as a simple wooden or clay cup, a ceramic drinking glass or an elaborate jewel-encrusted goblet of gold. The legend says it has healing powers.
The church has chased and venerated many forms of religious relics over the centuries. In some cases, the goal was, at least to some degree, meant to cause people to look to Christ. Some have said there are more pieces of the cross than needed to make a dozen crosses. An overstatement, perhaps, but it does make a point. Often though, it was a means of fundraising to build a church or raise the prominence of a location.
Many of the churches of the East are filled with icons, images of various saints, biblical events, and Jesus and His mother. They were designed to depict biblical truth to illiterate people. Instead, they became religious tokens and the focus of worship.
Often the relic became the object of worship rather than pointing the congregation toward Christ.
It’s easy to look back at those “superstitious” people and think we are above that empty chasing of things rather than Christ.
Yet, people chase the gifts of the Holy Spirit with a passion that would make a grail hunter envious. Others dig into the Bible, worshipping every Word. Still, others emphasize the “love” of the Father to the point of denying the wrath that comes from His holiness.
We can all fall prey.
The gifts of the Spirit are worth pursuing, The Love of the Father is an incredible gift, and the Bible is wholly inspired by God. Yet, if they become our worship focus, they become idols.
The people of Israel fell to worshipping idols even within a short time of the parting of the Red Sea while Moses was still on the mountain with God.
When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, “Up, make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” So Aaron said to them, “Take off the rings of gold that are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” So all the people took off the rings of gold that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” Exodus 32:1-4
In many places, the Lord chastened them about the futility of idolatry and warned them to turn.
Those who worship worthless idols forfeit the mercy that could be theirs. Jonah 2:8
Chase the things of God with enthusiasm and gratitude. Don’t let the tools and gifts the Lord gives and uses become our idols.
May you worship the giver and not the gifts. In Him, we live and breathe and have our eternal future secured. Praise His Holy name.
Be Blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
__________________________________________
Please like and share this post with friends and your circle of influence. Also, feel free to comment.
Did you know that we have an email version? Same great content but in a different format. Subscribe today https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/ gleanings-1
_____________
We also have a website
https://gleaningsfromtheword.com
______________________________
All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2023 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
___________________________________________
#Gleanings #theWord #devotional #gospel #death #encouragement #Biblestudy #faith #dailyBible #verseoftheday #grace #KevinCorbin #god #life #GleaningsFromTheword #bible #Jesus #faith #christian #love #Christ #Father #Holyspirit #YHWH #yahweh #Jehovah #bibleverses #jesuschrist #bornAgain #church #relics #NoahsArk #ark #ShroudOfTurin #HolyGrail #icons #idols #worship #Jonah2 #Exodus32