Attention Caught!

There are things which may grab our immediate attention, but for how long will our attention be held. Sometimes a sound or a statement causes us to turn, but then we soon go back to whatever it was we were doing. Other times our attention is gained and we end up LEAVING what we had been doing to get a better look. The challenge is to maintain the proper focus.

At the time of the introduction to the Old Law given to Moses on the mountain, there was an awesome display of power which caught the nation of Israel’s attention. ( Exodus 19:16-18) But for how long would their attention be FAITHFULLY FOCUSED ON GOD? While Moses was on the mountain the people began to wonder what happened to him and soon we read of them sinning by worshipping a golden calf. ( Exodus 32) So soon after stating a willingness to do whatever God commanded ( Exodus 19:8) they turned their worship away from God to a lifeless image of gold.

When the time came for Peter and the other Apostles to introduce the New Covenant in Christ, there was also a display of power ( Acts 2:1-12) which gained the attention of many Jews gathered in Jerusalem for the celebration of Pentecost. Peter’s sermon delivered on that occasion also caught their attention and they were cut to the heart, convicted in their guilt of being party to sending Jesus to the cross. ( Acts 2:36-37) Many on that day responded to Peter’s preaching by accepting the message of hope and submitting to baptism in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins.

Two occasions; one associated with the coming of the Old and the other relating to the coming of the New. However, there is one more similarity which is interesting to note.

When Moses came down from the mountain and saw what was taking place, he took the calf, burned it in the fire, ground it up into powder, scattered it in the water and made the people drink it. ( Exodus 32:20) Moses then rebuked his brother Aaron and the people.

We then read…
“And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And that day about three thousand men of the people fell.” ( Exodus 32:28 ESV)

Following Peter’s sermon we read…
“So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” ( Acts 2:41 ESV)

Did you note the similarity and the contrast. With the introduction of the Old there was the death of about 3000 while at the introduction of the New we read of the salvation of about 3000. At the time of Moses, God’s Will was LEFT and death was the result. At the beginning of the New these people LEFT their past and their sins behind in accepting the Gospel of Jesus and for them it meant life. 3000 is a good number of folk, but to go the way of the multitude is not good unless the direction is right. May we be certain that our attention is properly caught by the things of God and that our focus remains toward His Will.

Have a great day NUMBERED AMONG THE FAITHFUL!
Carl

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