Where God Meets Us: Hebrews Chapter 9
The tabernacle was God’s way of saying “I’m moving into the neighborhood.” Where in your life right now do you most sense God’s nearness — and where does He feel most distant? What do you think accounts for the difference?
Hebrews 9:9 says the old sacrificial system “was not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper.” Many of us carry a low-grade spiritual guilt — a sense that we haven’t done enough or aren’t enough. Where do you notice that inner voice most? What would it look like for your conscience to actually rest?
The sermon introduced this idea: “Christian maturity is not recognizing God’s presence in the beautiful places. Christian maturity is recognizing God’s presence in the worst places.” When have you unexpectedly encountered God in a hard, ugly, or unlikely setting? What did that teach you about how God works?
David Fitch describes three circles where we tend to God’s presence: the close circle (gathered worship and Christian community), the dotted circle (our neighborhoods and everyday relationships), and the half circle (among the hurting and the marginalized). Which circle comes most naturally to you? Which one do you tend to neglect?
Fitch’s Epiclesis prayer is simple: “Lord, be present here. Help me tend to your presence in this person.” As a Lenten practice this week, try praying this before one conversation each day. Come back next week ready to share: What did you notice? How did it change the way you showed up?
Hebrews 9:14 — “How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”