“I’m With Him”

Oct. 14

Read: Ezra 2 ( You can skim it… it is a lot of names! )

“I Am With Him”

“they could not prove their fathers' houses or their descent, whether they belonged to Israel…These sought their registration among those enrolled in the genealogies, but they were not found there, and so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. The governor told them that they were not to partake of the most holy food…” (v.59,62,63)

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…” (Romans 1:16)

Whenever the world around the people of God becomes antagonistic towards the truth of the Lord, there is a temptation to try and HIDE the work that God is doing in us. The greater the pressure against God’s truth, the greater the temptation to become “ashamed of the Gospel”. How do we act as the people of God - as Christians - when God’s truths become less and less popular? Are we allowing our true identity to come out into the world, or are we pretending to be someone we are not? Maybe we find out that we have been PRETENDING to be a child of God… not the other way around!

Is there enough “evidence” in your life that you could be confirmed as one who is in Christ? This is not a question designed to produce guilt… but an earnest question nonetheless. Jesus is making us - the children of God - into “new creations''. (cf. Gal. 2:20, 2 Cor. 5:17, Romans 6, Eph. 2:10) This work of Christ in us will eventually make its way outward into what we say and do, thus putting on display the “good news” of the Kingdom of God. This outworking will always create tension with the “things of this world”. This is why we are tempted to avoid the conflict… to make life “easy”… to keep it on the “down low” that we are disciples of Jesus.

There was a group of people who claimed to be a part of the people of God (a part of Israel) that approached the governor of Jerusalem. They came with the Israelites when they were returning from exile. What is funny is that “they could not prove there father’s houses nor their descent”. There were Israelites who “erased” their identities when taken into captivity. Maybe it was an effort to fit in. Maybe it was for protection. Maybe it was to be accepted… more popular with the Babylonians who had captured them. Anyways, the point is that these people had no evidence that they were a part of the people of God - for generations actually: “they could not prove their fathers' houses or their descent”. Yet, they claimed to be a part of Israel, in fact - THEY CLAIMED TO BE PRIESTS. (We see this later on in v. 62-63) Now that being a part of Israel was beneficial and that the Temple was going to be restored these supposed “priests” come out of hiding… materialize… and want their names included on the list to get special provisions and opportunities.

There is no participation in the blessings and breakthroughs of the Lord for those who are ashamed of him. You “do not partake of the most holy food” if there is no fruit or evidence in your life that you are in Christ. (v.62,63) This is particularly important for us today. As the truth of the scriptures and life in Christ becomes less and less “popular” or “acceptable” - we will begin to feel more and more like exiles… surrounded by a culture at odds with our own. How will we respond? Will we “erase” our personal histories? Will we hide our identity in Christ? Will we become “ashamed”? If so, this does not mean God abandons someone like that… but I would not expect to partake in the blessings the Lord provides here when you are ashamed and unwilling to participate in the suffering. If no one around you can vouch for you… if there is no evidence in your life for as long as anyone can remember (“going back generations” so to speak)… if your name has never shown up on any church list, bible study list, serving list, or giving to the work of the Lord (similar to being found in the genealogies) … then do not expect to lay claim to the “Royal Priesthood” and partake of the “most holy food”. (cf. 1 Peter 2)

But there is hope! For those who are afraid they have wasted years… and hidden for far too long. Look at the end of this passage: “The governor told them that they were not to partake of the most holy food, until there should be a priest to consult Urim and Thummim.” (v.63) What exactly is going on here? The Urim and Thummim were special tools God used to supernaturally speak to the priests and make decisions for the people of God. You see, God DOES know your heart. The Lord knows who you TRULY ARE in him. There is always the opportunity for the Lord to AFFIRM your genuine identity in him… even if you have spent years in hiding. He never leaves nor forsakes his children. Even those who have been ashamed in the past can enter into newness of life and breakthrough with the Lord as he is willing to affirm who they are and speak to those around them. (The same way he communicated with the priests through the Urim and Thummim.)

Do not be ashamed. As the pressure around you increases, do not give in to the temptation to hide your faith… to hide you beliefs… to hide your identity in Christ. You will never partake of the “most holy food” this way. You will never function as a priest this way… and the children of God in Jesus Christ are called to be a “ROYAL PRIESTHOOD”. (cf. 1 Peter 2:9) You cannot carry out your true function and purpose in this world otherwise! I love you guys - JDP