Here Enters The Microwave

I have vague recollections of the pre-microwave world

Numbers 8:1-26

Reference: v.7 To purify them, do this: Sprinkle the water of cleansing on them; then have them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes. And so they will purify themselves. (TNIV Bible)

Explore: I vaguely remember the day our whole family went to the shops to buy our very first microwave.  While I didn’t realize it at the time, I was about to enter into a world where you no longer had to wait for food to defrost on its own and you didn’t need to use the stove top to heat up milk.  I have vague recollections of the pre-microwave world however I did not have to cook and prepare meals in those days.  I’m sure my mum noticed a big difference in her cooking style when the microwave entered into our kitchen.  It’s only when I recall that distant memory that I become aware of the difference microwaves have made.  My daughter, on the other hand, has never known a world without microwaves.  Whether it’s reheating a meal or melting some chocolate, she will not think twice about how she would have done this without a microwave in the kitchen.  As the generations go on and as technology develops there will be even less awareness of a time before microwaves.

Application: The grace we receive through Jesus is like adding a microwave to a kitchen… ok, stay with me here!  When I read through Numbers I see what the people had to do, before Jesus, to make them pure before the Lord.  Then Jesus came along and took the weight of our sin upon him.  Now all we have to do is believe in Him and ask for forgiveness and we are washed clean again.  And yet, for those of us who never experienced the pre-Jesus rituals, we would not appreciate the difference this has made to our worship.  When I take the time to read about it I can see the change that Jesus made however I am like my daughter who has never experienced a life without microwaves, I have never experienced a life without Jesus-offered grace.  Therefore we must not take for granted the grace that Jesus offers us.  While it comes so easily to us, it was a huge sacrifice for Him.

Prayer: Lord, it’s hard for us to imagine a life without Your freely given grace.  May we never take Your sacrificial gift for granted but live in the fullness of the life You have given us.  Amen.

What can you do so that you don’t take Jesus’ grace for granted?

 

, ,

This article was written by Linda Bailey

Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.

2 comments:

Adrian ChivellMarch 22, 2011 at 6:39 AMReply

What is the last question at the bottom? It’s covered up by an a.

Thanks.

Ps. I too remember the days pre-microwaves. My Dad used to heat up his milk on the stove before pouring it on his cereal. I’ll never forget the smell of boiling milk…

Cameron BaileyMarch 23, 2011 at 7:45 AMReply

Thanks for letting me know. I think it’s fixed now.

And thanks for making the site better, really appreciate it Adrian

Menu