PEOPLE

(Humans, Neighbors, Persons)

How does God show that he values people?

BIBLE READING: 1 Kings 8:15-21

KEY BIBLE VERSE: He told my father, “From the day I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I have never chosen a city among the tribes of Israel as the place where a temple should be built to honor my name. But now I have chosen David to be king over my people.” (1 Kings 8:16)

God chooses to work through people. For 480 years after Israel’s escape from Egypt, God did not ask them to build a temple for him. Instead he emphasized the importance of his presence among them and their need for spiritual leaders. It is easy to think of a building as the focus of God’s presence and power, but God chooses and uses people to do his work. He can use you more than he can use a building of wood and stone. Building or enlarging our place of worship may be necessary, but it should never take priority over developing spiritual leaders.

BIBLE READING: Luke 6:1-11

KEY BIBLE VERSE: Jesus added, “I, the Son of Man, am master even of the Sabbath.” (Luke 6:5)

God puts people above traditions and regulations. Each week twelve consecrated loaves of bread, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, were placed on a table in the temple. This bread was called the bread of the Presence. After its use in the temple, it was to be eaten only by priests. Jesus, accused of Sabbath breaking, referred to a well-known story about David (1 Sam 21:1-6). On one occasion, when fleeing from Saul, David and his men ate this consecrated bread. Their need was more important than ceremonial regulations. Jesus was appealing to the same principle: human need is more important than human regulations and rules. By comparing himself and his disciples with David and his men, Jesus was saying, “If you condemn me, you must also condemn David.”

BIBLE READING: 2 Thess 2

KEY BIBLE VERSE: As for us, we always thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation, a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and by your belief in the truth. (2 Thess 2:13)

God saves people from their sins and makes them new creatures. God worked through Paul and his companions to tell the Good News so that people could share in Christ’s glory. It may seem strange that God works through us fallible, unfaithful, untrustworthy human creatures. But he has given us the fantastic privilege of accomplishing his great mission — telling the world how to find salvation.