Generational Tension, Timely Transfer and True Change

These three thoughts came to mind this morning as I continued my read in Leviticus. Paying particular attention to the sequence and trajectory these various sacrifices imply, from sin, to burnt, grain, guilt, then fellowship.

One can perceive movement, a progression necessary for relationship with God. First a recognition of error in our lives, a falling short of righteousness, the "sin" word! Then a surrendering of all that to God, acknowledging his provision for your life, yet taking responsibility for those shortcomings, only then arriving at some level of true fellowship with God and others. In the Old Testament, some seasonal if not daily repetition was thought necessary.

That seems the purpose behind even the Tabernacle's architecture, demonstrating a movement toward God and away from sin. Even a priest came into play, a holy representative, an intercessor until a "better Priesthood" could be provided.

However, the New Testament Book of Hebrews speaks to that!

All this primitive religious practice simply providing a "schoolmaster", the intent being that we humans might progress inwardly, eventually perhaps accept a remedy and forgiveness for our intentional short comings, as well as our blind spots. That's what true love and grace affords!

All the brutality once imposed upon lower creatures in order to demonstrate responsibility for our sins was never intended to be sustained long term as some necessary appeasement. That seems contrary with the God I know through the person of Jesus, whom I believe was God incarnate. Yet, apparently it got the job done back then, at least from a human point of view, until the prophets began to sense a better day coming.

Well, that day came, God took on flesh, became the lamb thought necessary for His appeasement, fully abolishing the need, and right before our eyes! Jesus' life was a demonstration who God truly is; even whom we could become by His grace.

Yet still we struggle and for most, a quite rigorous religion practice still thought necessary for any true transformation to occur. Religion over relationship seems a pattern. If any true benefit at all, religious practice is only a means for establishing community, even worship and praise more means for relationship than requirement for access to God.

Our deficit may be "get it factor" more so than any limited access to this Being, fully present among the galaxies!

There is a concept regarding lasting change, which is thought to require "seven generations for humanity to progress (or rather, to fully experience the consequences of actions and build sustainable futures). A core philosophy, particularly within indigenous cultures emphasizing long-term stewardship where decisions today might benefit descendants seven generations (about 150-175 years) in the future, focusing on environmental, social, and cultural continuity."

Yet, in Christ, true transformation (metanoia) can be found more immediately, through the full acceptance of the sacrifice fulfilled totally in Him! At least that was my experience, back in 1973!

Religion, perhaps an example of human resistance to change, one that tends only to lengthen the process of change.

Christianity has not come that far given our inward alignment more with the rituals of Moses, than a demonstration of the true transformation which scripture implies as possible.

No, we're not often as barbaric (note the word "often"), as it seems we know better than to be such.

I can only thank God for the role model provided, challenging such cruel religious practice when He became flesh, dwelt among us, knowing that radically religious men would soon sacrifice Him!

Yet, unknowingly, they once and for all provided remedy for any such brutality thought necessary for God's appeasement! The entirety of the Old Testament was to track us toward that day!

I wonder how long it will take for humanity to fully grasp God's love and grace, given that religion historically requires even more than seven generations for personal change!

History implies a 500 year reformation cycle. Based on the divisiveness now manifest in our nation, we are now long overdue!

Not sure that even our religious attempts at appropriating such Old Testament scripture, even out of reverence, doesn't hinder its very purposes? I'll end with that thought!