Ephesians 1:4-10
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. – Ephesians 1:7
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Numbers chapters 7-8 record the final ceremony the Israelites observed before beginning their journey through the wilderness. This ceremony was the dedication offering. If we picture the Israelites encamped at the foot of Mount Sinai, we see clearly that the Tabernacle was at the centre. The Levite clans were positioned around it in the first layer, arranged according to their families in four directions. Beyond them, in the second layer, the twelve tribes camped surrounding the Tabernacle. Everything in the people’s worship and daily life revolved around the LORD.
Life in the wilderness was also God’s training ground for His people, and the Tabernacle was the place where He met with them. God chose Israel and taught them how to come before Him. As His covenant people, they were to willingly and wholeheartedly offer themselves to the Lord of the covenant.
However, sin brought division and fragmentation to humanity. People think only of themselves, desiring more and more, seeing everything as “mine,” without realising that all things come from God. Sin hinders unity and blocks God’s blessing. Yet God’s original intention has never changed. Through the redemption of Jesus Christ, He continues to pour out His abundant grace upon those He has chosen.
In today’s devotional passage, the Apostle Paul reminds us: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” (v.3)
Such blessing comes “even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.” (v.4)
Ephesians chapter 1 presents a beautiful picture of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit working together: – God’s choosing (v.3–6)
– Christ’s redemption (v.7–12)
– The Spirit’s seal and guarantee (v.13–14)
In Christ, the image of humanity that was broken by sin is restored. In Christ, we are chosen again and brought into unity. This choosing breaks through differences of race, culture, gender, and economic status. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we are helped and reminded to return to God and become His precious children. In Christ, God’s will is revealed. As Paul writes:
“…making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.” (v.9-10)
From beginning to end, His purpose is to unite the whole created order in Christ, so that all may worship and serve Him together with one heart and mind.
During this Lenten season, let us once again reflect on worshiping and serving together in unity. Today, do our lives, actions, and very existence revolve around Christ (cf. Acts 27:18)? Or have we forgotten the grace we have received? Christ has completed His work, the rest is our response.
Reflection:
In my spiritual journey, what can I willingly lay before the Lord? As a member of the body of Christ, do I recognise the value of others? In building up the church community, am I supporting and strengthening others so that the body of Christ may display God’s glory through mutual service?
Prayer:
Sovereign Lord, who has chosen us and established our lives, grant us willing hearts to offer our limited selves into Your hands. Transform what is small in us into blessings beyond measure. Teach us to grow together in Your love, strengthening and building one another up, so that Your name will be glorified. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
Click to read passage
Numbers chapters 7-8 record the final ceremony the Israelites observed before beginning their journey through the wilderness. This ceremony was the dedication offering. If we picture the Israelites encamped at the foot of Mount Sinai, we see clearly that the Tabernacle was at the centre. The Levite clans were positioned around it in the first layer, arranged according to their families in four directions. Beyond them, in the second layer, the twelve tribes camped surrounding the Tabernacle. Everything in the people’s worship and daily life revolved around the LORD.
Life in the wilderness was also God’s training ground for His people, and the Tabernacle was the place where He met with them. God chose Israel and taught them how to come before Him. As His covenant people, they were to willingly and wholeheartedly offer themselves to the Lord of the covenant.
However, sin brought division and fragmentation to humanity. People think only of themselves, desiring more and more, seeing everything as “mine,” without realising that all things come from God. Sin hinders unity and blocks God’s blessing. Yet God’s original intention has never changed. Through the redemption of Jesus Christ, He continues to pour out His abundant grace upon those He has chosen.
In today’s devotional passage, the Apostle Paul reminds us: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” (v.3)
Such blessing comes “even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.” (v.4)
Ephesians chapter 1 presents a beautiful picture of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit working together: – God’s choosing (v.3–6)
– Christ’s redemption (v.7–12)
– The Spirit’s seal and guarantee (v.13–14)
In Christ, the image of humanity that was broken by sin is restored. In Christ, we are chosen again and brought into unity. This choosing breaks through differences of race, culture, gender, and economic status. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we are helped and reminded to return to God and become His precious children. In Christ, God’s will is revealed. As Paul writes:
“…making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.” (v.9-10)
From beginning to end, His purpose is to unite the whole created order in Christ, so that all may worship and serve Him together with one heart and mind.
During this Lenten season, let us once again reflect on worshiping and serving together in unity. Today, do our lives, actions, and very existence revolve around Christ (cf. Acts 27:18)? Or have we forgotten the grace we have received? Christ has completed His work, the rest is our response.
Reflection:
In my spiritual journey, what can I willingly lay before the Lord? As a member of the body of Christ, do I recognise the value of others? In building up the church community, am I supporting and strengthening others so that the body of Christ may display God’s glory through mutual service?
Prayer:
Sovereign Lord, who has chosen us and established our lives, grant us willing hearts to offer our limited selves into Your hands. Transform what is small in us into blessings beyond measure. Teach us to grow together in Your love, strengthening and building one another up, so that Your name will be glorified. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.