Superstition. Would you expect anything else when I am writing this on Friday, the 13th?
I lived near my uncle for many years when I was small. He was a deeply superstitious man. He would not walk under a ladder. He would avoid black cats at all costs. Meaning long detours on the street or not going to certain people's houses. Today he would take the day off and stay at home. Never mind there were no "personal days", he would simply skip the workplace altogether. Oh, did I mention he was a home delivery milkman for many years? Yes, door-to-door glass bottle service. A bygone era. But he had this deep lack of trust in much of his world. He was a C and Eer with a definite commitment to being a BWFer.
Ok, let me unpack that. He would come regularly only to church service on Christmas and Easter. He would also attend all baptisms, weddings and funerals for family and friends. And these kinds of beliefs, customs and folklore are as old as humanity. They are even in the bible.
You find one example of this in Zephaniah 1:9. 1 Samuel 5:1-5 is another example of this. See how important thresholds can be? And all of this violates Deuteronomy 12. I commend the chapter to you; especially notice the injunction in the last verse in the chapter. It also violates the commandments Jesus gives us. These are in Mark 12:28-31 where Jesus is quoting both Deuteronomy 6:4 and Leviticus 19:19. We put our Triune God first, last and always. Anything else detracts from our worship and our relationship with the Lord.
And there are those who claim that the 13th is their lucky day and lucky number. This is because they are trying to be countercultural. Note that when Jesus held the Last Supper there were 13 of them present, himself included. What this does is that it overlooks the need for this to happen. It does not mean 13 is unlucky. On the other hand, bakers consider this a number of assurance and insurance. There are always 13 items in a 'baker's dozen'.
So, how is your day going? Mine is fine and I have had good news in more than one direction as I write this. For many years I have claimed the statement of faith in Joshua 24:15. May it be yours too as we journey this day. Pr. Scott
