Lost Crusader #124 Opening the Ark Part 3

“After the second veil, the tabernacle which is called Holiest of all; which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant…”

Hebrews 9

The final object inside the Ark is Aaron’s rod. A quick rundown for those who may not be familiar with the story. The elements of the tale are a very common course whenever people try working together over time. The people decided that Moses and Aaron were taking too much authority upon themselves. They began to complain, and a showdown was staged in which the ground opened up and swallowed Moses’ detractors. People then complained that that was pretty harsh.

So, God told Moses to have the twelve leaders of the tribes of Israel bring their rods and leave them in the church overnight. God said He would give them a sign about who He wanted to lead the service. In the morning, Aaron’s rod had budded, put on blossoms, and grew almonds.

Aaron’s rod was packed away in the Ark as a reminder of the people’s rejection of God’s leadership. This test is as old as mankind.

This was the lesson of the tree in the Garden. We will see it repeated in the days of Samuel. Daniel was likewise tested, albeit with a better result. In a spiritual sense rather than a political one, this was the case with Jesus and Israel’s leaders.

However, we should not think of this rejection of God’s leadership only in the context of groups. It is a very popular modern phenomenon. I hear it in the voice of everyone who says, “I’m spiritual, not religious.” Which by the way, was just what Israel said about the folks who the earth swallowed up.

Christians are called to be disciples of Jesus. That word “disciple” looks and sounds a lot like discipline. There’s a reason for that. Christianity is a discipline as much as any academic field of study. It even requires the same methods, extensive reading, experimentation, critical thinking, and evaluating outcomes.

Spirituality goes nowhere without discipline and focus. We are all spiritual, we are not all students of disciplined thought and action (which is the very root definition of religion). So yes, you maybe spiritual but not religious, there’s token to remind people of this in the Ark.

Why should we care what is in the “lost” Ark? You will have to read the next blog or do your own research to find out.

Maranatha