It will happen in a
moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown.
For when the
trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever.
And we who
are living will also be transformed. 1 Corinthians 15:52
I may not know when the Rapture will happen, but I know
the fall Jewish feasts are upon us and I look forward to them!
I like this time of year.
Two-thirds of summer is past and the next season brings cooler temps and
lower electric bills. Fall is a special
time for me spiritually. The month of
Elul began last week on the Jewish calendar.
Studying our Jewish Roots is interesting because it parallels Jesus’
return. Traditionally, the month of Elul
signifies deep searching of the heart and God’s forgiveness. We begin each morning with the blast of the shofar
remembering that Jesus, on the cross, bought back our authority and conquered
our enemies.
When you were dead
in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with
Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal
indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away,
nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he
made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Colossians 2:13-15
Personally, I’m glad we live way out in the country. I’m sure we would be thrown out if we lived
in an apartment with that loud blare every morning before our Bible study! But it is a good reminder to me and my family
that our enemies are conquered. Those
demons that love to destroy our homes, children and relationships are defeated.
Elul ends with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, a wonderful
celebration. I always ask the Lord for a
word for the coming year even though I follow a different calendar. He’s never failed to give me a special word
to reflect upon and to pray over my life and others. This past year was “favor.” You can imagine the party in His Word with
all the references to favor! My journal
is full!
My Jewish cookbooks come off the shelf at Rosh
Hashanah. There are so many good recipes
to use and we always mix up a fresh batch of Challah. My daughter tells of how her daughter likes
to dip cut up apples in honey at her house; it’s another tradition that’s fun and
delicious at this time. Most importantly, Christians ponder the scriptures that
refer to Jesus coming for us. We like to
think of it as a bridegroom coming for his bride. Our family planned a wedding this past year and
it truly is a joyous time of expectation.
That event was all we could think about for months!
For the Lord
himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the
archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise
first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up
together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be
with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians
4:16-17
My heart is open and I’m ready for my Bridegroom. Are you?
What a beautiful post, Mary! Thank you so much for sharing your Jewish roots with us and how they influence you at this time of year. You are a blessing, my friend!
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing to read of all the Jewish traditions which I am very interested in learning...I think your family's observance of these is wonderful and meaningful to everyone.....What a day when we will be caught up together.....
ReplyDeleteThank you for reminding us of what to look forward to. I liked the picture you included... I pray I'm always ready. Anytime... Anywhere...
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful celebration worth doing year after year. Challah... Yummmy... I was thinking "french toast"...
Have a great rest of the week sister.
This was so wonderful Mary. I am caught up right with you as you tell about your traditions, and especially because they celebrate what we all celebrate. I'd love to hear that horn every morning, and it's for sure I'd be in your kitchen loving every good recipe that comes from your roots. I always love hearing how you celebrate the Jewish traditions, it makes them all so personal, even though I wasn't raised with them. Sisters in Christ, what a sweet thought! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiring post! And yes, I AM READY!!
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking that I like the idea of sounding the shofar each morning. We live on the top of a mountain, and I think it would be very fun and exciting to SOUND the Lord's wake-up call up there!
GOD BLESS!
Such a heart warming post.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful day it will be when the Lord returns,,,,I feel it will be on one of the Jewish holidays.Thank you for sharing your tradition...
ReplyDelete