COPYCATS
Numbers 6:24-26: “The LORD bless and keep you; the LORD make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
This blessing dismisses people from various places of worship around the world. God first gave this blessing to Aaron to say over the children of Israel thousands of years ago.
We’re supposed to copycat our Father in heaven just as we copy our earthly parents. Kids learn by watching and copying what they see their parents do…and obeying their parents’ instruction. Jesus shows us obedience in John 14:31: “but the world must learn that I love the Father and I do exactly what My father has commanded Me.”
Jesus even teaches us how to obey even when we don’t want to. Matthew 26:39b writes Jesus begging His Father, “My father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 says that Jesus is the righteousness of God in His Believers. So, we copy Jesus’ holiness too, obeying our Father’s command.
Beginning with God instructing which insects are good to eat, Leviticus 11 ends with commanding His kids to be holy…because God is holy! (See the lesson, linked below). Many people refuse to eat insects.
But in all other ways, we are to copy our Creator.
Twelve year old Cassie asked her friends one day, “What facial expression do you think Jesus typically wore?”
“I saw Jesus’ picture in the book, “Heaven is For Real,” Brenda said. “Colton chose this picture among all the others, and I believe him.”
Artwork by Akiane Kramarik
Todd Burpo wrote the book, Heaven is For real describing his son Colton’s experience in heaven after he died for a short time during surgery in 2014.
Cassie smiled and admitted, “I think Jesus looks how Colton said too, Brenda. I imagine Jesus as always smiling!”
Cassie is correct. The very blessing that God wants His kids to hear and share shows His face smiling at us. Let’s copycat Dad in heaven and Jesus on earth. Let’s smile at everyone we meet, greeting one another cheerfully.
Take Home Nugget
There was once a man who’d greet everyone with a smile and a cheerful “Good morning!”
People would automatically respond, “Good morning!”
Then, World War 11 broke out. He was taken to wait in a long line. When his turn came, he recognized the man deciding whether to send people to his right or left.
He immediately smiled and said, “Good morning!”
The decider looked up and recognized who was greeting him so warmly. Automatically, he responded, “Good morning!” He sent him to his right.
The decider was sending Jews left to a camp where they were to die. Against all odds, this man lived!
May we copycat Your smiling face and greet each other cheerfully, Lord! Amen.
Adapted from “A Priestly Blessing” by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein. www.Holylandmoments.com. May 30, 2017.
J.D. Griffith
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