The First Step
Ezra 3:1-13
Jeff Henderson, the Executive Chef of the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, was born into a poor neighborhood and lived a difficult life with a single mother, without knowing the meaning or purpose of life. He lived a life where everything was in tangle.
To put it in modern terms, he lived the life of a representative “Lost Generation.” Eventually, he succumbed to the temptations of local gangsters and got involved in drug dealing.
He was arrested on the spot for drug trafficking, sentenced to 20 years in prison, and began his incarceration at the age of 24. In his life of such despair, a schedule of regular worship services was established, albeit for a short time.
Then, the task assigned to him, who knew how to do nothing properly, was washing dishes in the kitchen. Washing dishes is typically the job inmates hate the most, as he had to wash 1,500 trays for every meal.
However, something unexpected happened. He found the work in the kitchen enjoyable. Even if his hands were swollen from washing dishes or his skin was burned red by the steamer, he was thrilled the moment he stepped into the kitchen.
After regular worship services, the realization that he could do something brought joy to his heart. “This is exactly what I am meant to do! When I get out of prison, I must become a chef!” For the first time in his life, he had a goal.
He went to the prison library and read books and newspapers for the first time. He read books and articles about cooking over and over again. As he performed his kitchen duties exemplarily, his sentence was reduced to ten years.
Immediately after his release, he got a job as a dishwasher at a restaurant. He volunteered for menial tasks in between washing dishes. He also learned to cook by watching others. He learned diligently and followed their lead.
Finally, his sincerity was recognized, and he was selected as the head chef of a major hotel. Just a few years later, he received the award for the best chef in the nation. His life had become one with purpose.
Even if they are in the same place, the difference between someone living without a goal and someone with one is enormous. Even if you row in the ocean, if you do not know the direction, it is nothing more than a struggle.
Jeff Henderson found a purpose in his life through the restoration of regular worship. He became able to calmly contemplate his life. Consequently, he found himself drawn to something without even realizing it.
He had found work that went well without much effort. The key lay precisely in the restoration of worship. He had properly fastened the first button of his life. Consequently, all the other pieces of the puzzle fell into place.
By the decree of King Cyrus of Persia, the people of Israel, who had been living in captivity in Babylon, were finally able to return to their homeland. Upon returning, they spent time in restoration and rest in their native land.
Then, in the seventh month of their return, they gathered in Jerusalem. They had assembled en masse to observe the Feast of Tabernacles. It was the first Feast of Tabernacles they had celebrated since returning from captivity in Babylon.
High Priest Joshua and Governor Zerubbabel played leading roles. The first thing they did was build an altar and offer sacrifices as recorded in the Law of Moses.
What they desired most was to restore worship and re-establish their relationship with God. They gave thanks to God for guiding them from their captivity in Babylon back to their homeland.
Then, in the second month of the second year after their return, the foundation work for the temple began, led by Zerubbabel and Joshua. They wanted to rebuild their broken faith through the reconstruction of the temple.
When the foundation of the temple was laid, the priests held up trumpets, and the Levites held up cymbals. As they praised God, they “praised one another and responded with thanksgiving.”
“When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests, clothed in their robes, held up their trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, held up their cymbals. They stood there and praised the LORD, according to the statute of David, king of Israel. They gave thanks to the LORD, saying, ‘You are exceedingly good; therefore, His mercy endures forever to Israel.’ And all the people, seeing that the foundation of the temple of the LORD had been laid, praised the LORD and shouted with a loud voice for joy.” (3:10-11)
The priests, Levites, and the elder patriarchs wept bitterly with sorrow and deep emotion upon seeing the foundation of the humble temple laid, while the young men shouted loudly with joy.
“The priests, the Levites, and the elders, having seen the first temple, wept bitterly when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid. But many shouted with joy, and the sound of the people’s shouting was heard from afar, so the people could not distinguish between the sound of joyful singing and the sound of wailing.” (Ezra 3:12-13)
Through worship, they experienced a tremendous moment where sorrow and joy intersected. Through such worship, the goals and purposes of life were newly established in the Lord.
Is there anyone here whose life is tangled in various parts and whose life feels chaotic? The key to life lies in the restoration of worship. It is important to fasten the first button correctly. Then, the rest will find their place.
Heavenly Father,
When everything is chaotic,
Let us return to the place of worship.
Let us fasten the first button correctly.
Let us know the key to life.
I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
