Kedoshim, Talmidim Favor
Ephesians 1
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Ephesians 1 is a favorite chapter in the Bible for many people. My Who I Am Journal Art Card Collection was inspired by it. The Apostle Paul begins this letter by addressing the faithful saints in the city of Ephesus. The Hebrew word for saints is kedoshim and means holy ones or set apart ones. Anyone can be a part of this family! (See John 1:12)
The kedoshim derive their holiness from being a part of God’s family. When He delivered us through His blood and adopted us, He brought us into His heart, and we became holy. The Scripture says, We all with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory just as from the Lord, the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Wherever we live on this earth, we are the kedoshim, hidden in His holiness. We are His own family. Even though we learn about our individual identity by reading Paul’s words in Ephesians, he addresses the entire family of the kedoshim with words such as “you” and “us.” As you read along, you can see this:
- Verse 2 – Grace to you and peace… In other words, Grace to you, dear kedoshim, and peace…
- Verse 3 – The Father has blessed [the kedoshim] with every spiritual blessing.
- Verse 4 – He chose [the kedoshim] to be holy even before the foundation of the world.
In the next verses, we discover that our kind Father planned (before the foundation of the world) to adopt this family and give them His entire wealth and inheritance – an inheritance not of this world and far-surpassing any richness we could imagine. It is imperishable! (See 1 Peter 1:2-9) Part of our rich inheritance is complete and eternal redemption and forgiveness!
And if that were not enough, the kedoshim have the inside scoop into God’s heart. We all want that friend to whom we can tell anything, that one who will listen and who “gets” us. We want that because we are made in His image, and He wants that. Before all time, God desired to let us into His heart so we would “get” Him. He has shared His secrets with us (Ephesians 1:9); He discloses Himself to us (John 14:21,26; 15:15; 16:13-15); and, He lets us know His very heart (1 Corinthians 2:12).
Furthermore, His kedoshim are also His talmidim. As I mentioned in my writing, Clear Vision, a talmid is a disciple. (Talmidim is plural.) Talmidim are more than students. They seek to imitate every word and action of the rabbi to become just like their master. Jesus is our Master, and we seek to be just like Him. We are one kedoshim following in our Father’s footsteps as He shares His heart with us through His word.
Jesus said, I am the Light of the world… (John 8:12). As His talmidim, we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14) following in His footsteps, sparkling up from the globe to the universe!
Lord, You Who are the Bread of Life, let us be bread, feeding Your sheep. You Who are the Door of the sheep, help us to be doors, welcoming people into Your fold. You Who are the Living Water, be a wellspring in us that overflows! We are Your kedoshim and talmidim, redeemed by Yeshua’s blood. During these often-lonely and disconnected days of 2020, we are hidden in You. Thank you for calling us, your sons and daughters, into Your beautiful family!
The image for this post is a combination of three Art Cards in which the kedoshim are worshipping. You may view them by clicking on the links. - The Feast of Trumpets, The Bread of Life, and The Feast of Weeks.
Elisha was one of the kedoshim and a talmid of Elijah. To read about Elijah's life and last days with Elisha, click here.
Shale Fragments™ - devotionals by Beth Ann Phifer is a division of Flower Girl Greetings, LLC. ©2020, All Rights Reserved.
Blessings and love in Him,
Beth Ann