Foundations of Biblical Living: Offerings, Beatitudes, and the Search for Meaning
God is the Author of creation, and as such he has authority to define the meaning of our lives. The meaning of life is to know, glorify and enjoy God, through Jesus Christ, and to live for him by the power of the Holy Spirit. First, mankind shares its meaning with all creation, which exists to glorify our Creator. Beyond that, human beings are specially created to bear God’s image in the world, exercising dominion and creativity in like fashion to his own. As God’s image bearers, all human beings are responsible to worship God and obey his commands with reverence.
The Meaning of Life and the Good Life
“What is the meaning of life?” has almost become a rhetorical question nowadays. It is often asked flippantly, as though the person asking doesn’t really expect to get an answer. Certainly, the prevailing view at the popular level of our society today seems to be that there is no meaning to life--at least no objective one--and therefore that each of us ought to do our best to define the “good life” for ourselves. However, if God has defined the meaning of life, then, it is his definition alone that matters.
The highest level of meaning for a human life is found in deep communion with God, when we experience God as Father, the Son of God as Lord and Friend, and the Spirit of God as Counselor and Helper, living within us. Every follower of Jesus is a new creation, (re)created in the image of Christ, intended by God for the accomplishment of good works--works of significance and value that God himself has prepared for us in advance!
Leviticus Offerings and Their Purposes
Leviticus offerings: there are a few to say the least. Moses wrote them all down and gave the instructions to the priests and the people as God instructed. It is interesting to see how involved each offering is and why sin would be an prominent focus to the nation of Israel. There are five offerings listed to keep them all straight in our mind as they do reappear many times in the Old Testament.
| Offering Type | Scriptural References |
|---|---|
| Burnt Offering | Leviticus 1:1-17; 6:8-13 |
| Grain Offering | Leviticus 2:1-16; 7:9-14 |
| Fellowship/Peace Offering | Leviticus 3:1-17; 7:11-34 |
| Purification/Sin Offering | Leviticus 4:1-5:13; 6:24-30 |
| Reparation/Guilt Offering | Leviticus 5:14-6:7; 7:1-7 |
The Beatitudes: Ethos of the Kingdom
The Beatitudes are a radically bold statement of Jesus’ intent to establish the kingdom of heaven on earth, which will bring true peace and freedom for all who dare to follow him as his disciples. They serve as a sort of preamble to the Sermon on the Mount, but they are an even more memorable treasure for humanity. The Beatitudes give a succinct statement of the ethos of the kingdom of heaven that Jesus has announced and summarize the principles of kingdom life. Eight primary statements of blessing make up the Beatitudes:
- Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. The “poor” are those who have encountered unfortunate circumstances from an economic point of view, but also persons who are spiritually and emotionally oppressed, disillusioned, and in need of God’s help.
- Blessed are those who mourn: for they will be comforted. The loss of anything that a person counts valuable will produce mourning, whether it’s one’s financial support, or loved ones, or status in society.
- Blessed are the meek: for they will inherit the earth. Jesus says that it is the “gentle” who will inherit the earth.
When approaching the Beatitudes we must avoid sliding into various extremes. We must not conclude that Jesus is calling his listeners to a meritorious attempt at earning salvation; Jesus’ Beatitudes are statements of grace, not law.
The Biblical Significance of the Beard
Is there a God given purpose for the ‘secondary characteristics of the male’, the beard in particular? Does the suppression of this natural symbol of manliness actually signify something more than one might first suppose? The change from beards to clean shaven faces throughout history have most often been connected to deeper beliefs in relation religion, to what constitutes manhood, and how gender distinctions are to be viewed. The beard has been esteemed as a sign of manhood and maturity throughout church history, in particular the early church and the reformation period. The clergyman shall not let his hair grow, neither shall he remove his beard, according to certain historical prohibitions. This research presents a case for understanding the beard as a God-given sign of gender distinction and maturity.
Sacred Liturgy and Bible Study
To further explore the extraordinary roots of the Liturgy, believers may engage in "A Biblical Walk Through the Mass." This Bible Study reveals what it all means and why it all matters. This tour of the Mass will renew your faith and deepen your love and devotion for the Holy Eucharist, exploring how Scripture reveals God's vision for life.