Today’s reading: Exod 26:1–27:21, John 5:1–15, Song 3:6–11

Today’s theme: God the Artist

God is the author of true art, seen best in His breath-taking creation and in particular, expressed through His creatures. We can rejoice in the creative and artistic nature of our God and serve Him with passion, flare, beauty, celebration and delight filled expressions of worship.

We don’t serve or worship God in monotone, stoic colours and tones, but in vibrant and beautiful corporate and individual expressions of devotion. God’s design specification for the Tabernacle shows He is not a cold God indifferent to beauty, but is Himself the very essence and definition of beauty and is glorified in the beauty, satisfaction and rejoicing of His creatures.

Exodus 26:1–27:21

God the Artist

“And you shall make a veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. It shall be made with cherubim skillfully worked into it. Exodus 26:31 (ESV)

It is wonderful that in God’s detailed design, building and instructions for the tabernacle, there is room for artistry. God is the original artist. Skilful and artistic expression have their place in service and worship.

Do what God has shown you

You shall make it hollow, with boards. As it has been shown you on the mountain, so shall it be made. Exodus 27:8 (ESV)

Like Jesus said, whatever we do, we should do in accordance with what God has shown us. This could be for example, through His word, our Pastors or something the Lord has laid on our hearts.

John 5:1–15

Do you want to be healed

When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” John 5:6 (ESV)

Jesus asks us the same question today, and if the answer is yes, He has the power to accomplish it in His sovereign grace as we see later in verse 8.

Sin and illness

Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” John 5:14 (ESV)

Although all sickness is connected to the fall of man, illness and misfortune can happen to anyone, therefore we must repent. In this case, Jesus is referring to a specific sin committed by this man that lead to his state of illness. Specific sins can lead to illness and even death, so if God brings healing and deliverance in these cases, it is imperative that we do not return to that sin, just as Jesus warned this man.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014

Additional resources

TGC on John 5