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Friday, February 26, 2010

Fear or Faith? (Numbers 12-14 / Mark 5)

There are some people today who would seemingly die for a vision or dream (Num. 12:6) from the Lord. However, is it not better just to have a personal relationship with God where we can talk to and hear from Him (Num. 12:8)? This is the type of relationship Moses had with the Lord. The sin of the Israelites in Num. 13-14 boils down to a lack of trust in God. "And without faith, it is impossible to please" God (Hebrews 11:6). The Israelites had forgotten that "with God, all things are possible" (Mark 10:27). These men, who probably resembled Goliath, were of no match to God, however, the Israelites allowed their fear of man to overcome their "fear of God." If you struggle with the "fear of man" issue, I recommend you read the book, When Man is Big and God is Small.

Remember, the book of Mark is about displaying Jesus as the Son of God (Mark 1:1). So Mark 5:21-43 continues along that path displaying Jesus's power over sickness and disease. However, I would like to contrast this reading with the OT passage we read today. We see two people in this passage who display the kind of faith the Lord is looking for (v. 28, 36). So the question for us today is will we decide to trust God's Word and have faith or will we choose not to.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Twilight (Numbers 9-11 / Mark 5)

When you think of the word "twilight," you may think of the recent movie that came out that teenage girls were especially crazy about. However, when you hear the word "twilight," I want you to think about Numbers 9:11. Twilight was when the Passover was to be celebrated. One of the most important Jewish holidays was celebrated by eating the passover lamb with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. From the New Testament, we know this lamb symbolizes Christ (I Cor. 5:7 ). Unleavened bread was eaten as a reminder that the departing Israelite slaves had no time put leaven in their bread as they were hastily escaping from Egypt's hold on them. The bitter herbs represented the hard times and experiences that the Israelites had to endure under their slavery to the Egyptians. Also from Numbers 9-11, we learn that it does not pay to "complain" (11:1, 19) and that God led the Israelites through the use of a cloud (9:22-23).

In Mark 5:19, a man after being healed from demon possession is told to go home to his family and share with them what God had done for him (and he did). Do you have family times where each believer can share what God is doing in his or her life?

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Gifts from God (Numbers 7-8 / Mark 4)

If you were able to read through Numbers 7 (89 verses!), you would be able to recognize the importance of making offerings to the Lord. It is important that we regularly tithe to keep the Lord's work up. In Numbers 8, we understand that the Levites were set apart to do God's work and that they were given to Aaron and his sons as "gifts" (v. 19) to accomplish the work at the Tent of Meeting. Do we see people that God sends our way to help us accomplish our daily tasks as "gifts" from God?

Mark 4:30-32 is an example of a similitude (contains an expanded simile, in this case "like"). Verse 31 says the kingdom of God is "like" a mustard seed. The kingdom has arrived and although it might seem small or insignificant now, it will grow into something amazing. Therefore, do not look for something glorious now or you will miss it!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Good Soil (Numbers 5-6 / Mark 4)

A common theme in Numbers 5 is a husband's jealousy (v. 15, 25, 29, 30). Proverbs 6:29-30 also speaks to this. Jealousy is not always bad. Remember that God is jealous over us (James 4:5) and that He is our husband (as we, His people, are the bride of Christ -Revelation 19:7). When we break the first command (Exodus 20:3), God has a right to become jealous. The first 21 verses of Numbers 6 is a display of the Nazirite vow. Nazirites in the Bible include Samson, Samuel, and John the Baptist. Numbers 6 is capped off with a beautiful "blessing."

Jesus's teaching of the parable of the sower in Mark 4 has to be one of his most popular teachings. Of the four categories mentioned (v. 15-20), where do you find yourself? The hard soil, shallow soil, and thorny soil do not produce fruit that lasts. Only ready soil (a good heart) will produce the good fruit (Matthew 7:20; 12:33) that Jesus is looking for.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Church Life (Numbers 3-4 / Mark 3)

Numbers 3-4 speaks of three Levite clans who each have tasks and responsibilities that they are to perform according to the word of the Lord. Performing these obligations is like clockwork. The Israelite culture and community can continue to move forward as the ordinary tasks are fulfilled on a daily basis. This reminds me a lot of "church life." It takes many folks working together performing ordinary tasks to help keep the church moving forward. In Numbers 4, we see that all of the clans are headcounted for men ages 30-50 who are serving "in the work of the Tent of the Meeting." This is significant. Just imagine what would happen if all men ages 30-50 were active in serving and leading in the churches of America. Indeed, the entire landscape of our country would change.

Many people seem to worry if they have committed the unpardonable sin mentioned in Mark 3:29. If this verse worries you in this manner, I seriously doubt you have anything to worry about. To blaspheme God is to basically say that He is the devil and full of evil (see v. 30). As Christ-followers, that is something we surely do not believe and something we would never say out loud. In verses 31-35, we get a real glimpse of "the family of God."

Friday, February 19, 2010

Humility (Leviticus 25 / Mark 1)

God is a God of rest. In Lev. 25, He provides rest for the land (every 7th year), and rest for slaves (year of Jubilee). It may not be Sunday, but do you find a time during the week to take a rest? Lev. 25 also speaks much to the topic of slavery. It appears to me that God has a different view of slavery than we do as typical Americans. In Hebrew culture, God allowed slavery, even of His people, the Israelites. However, what God objects to is the harsh or "ruthless" treatment of slaves (v. 43). As people made in God's image, slaves deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. In America today, we would say that many people are slaves to their work. Is your boss "ruthless" or does he or she provide you with a day of rest?

The book of Mark is about displaying Jesus as the Son of God (Mark 1:1). We see Jesus's power over evil spirits (v.25), sickness (v. 31), and disease (v. 42). Jesus truly was God's Son because only God in the flesh could perform these miracles. What strikes me is the meekness of Christ. Most people today would shout, "Look at me!" Instead, Jesus "will not let the demons speak" (v. 34) and He tells the leper, "see that you don't tell this to anyone" (v. 43). Also, Jesus knew that his time "had not yet come" (John 7:30).

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Repentance (Leviticus 23-24 / Mark 1)

Jews continue to celebrate the religious festivals found in Lev. 23 today. The Jewish calendar is different from our Christian calendar. We celebrate the New Year on Jan. 1 while Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah (the New Year) either in September or October. It is important for us to understand these "appointed feasts" so that the we can better understand our Christian heritage. As Gentiles (non-Jews), we must never forget that we have been "grafted in" or allowed access into God's kingdom (Romans 11:11-24).

In Lev. 24, we see a man stoned to death for blaspheming "the Name with a curse." It seems today that cursing God has become the in thing to do. Leviticus teaches us that God is Holy and that we should always approach His Name with reverence.

In Mark 1, it is ironic that John prepares the way for Jesus to come by preaching a "baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins" (v. 5) yet when Jesus comes, he basically preaches the same message (v.15). What is even more ironic, however, is that once Jesus ascends back into heaven, Peter preaches the same message that John preached before Jesus came (Acts 2:38). I think it is a fair statement to say that "repentance" is at the heart of one's salvation and that "repentance" is at the heart of John, Jesus, and Peter's teaching. Have you come to a point in your life where you repented of your sins and trusted Christ as your Savior?

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Great Commission Christians (Leviticus 21-22 / Matthew 28)

When we read Leviticus 21-22 through our Americanized western lenses, we tend to say to ourselves, "Man, God is strict." We do not understand why priests cannot shave their heads or the sides of their beards (v. 5). We know prostitution is wrong, but think it too large a punishment for the priest's daughter to die for it (v. 9). Even worse, we may think God must be mean for not letting those with defects come close to his altar (v. 16-23). It is at this point that we must keep reinterating God's holiness. Life truly is about God, not us. Reread Lev. 22:31-33, but this time pay special attention to and focus on the words "my" and "I." Is God being selfish here? If He is, He has that right. We have to come to a point in our lives when we realize our unholy thoughts and actions rob God of the glory He is due.

Matthew 28 is one of the most beautiful chapters in the Bible. Not only is our Lord resurrected, appearing as white as snow (we should know what that looks like!), but He gives his disciples (and us) a task to fulfill. We must be about our Father's business (John 5:36) and that means we must become Great Commission Christians (Matthew 28:18-20). In other words, are you making a difference for Christ in your family, your workplace, and your church?

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

A Torn Curtain (Levitucs 19-20 / Matthew 27)

When reading Leviticus 19, I am reminded of the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20. There are at least seven of the ten commandments in this passage that are strikingly similar to those commandments that God handed down to Moses on Mount Sinai. It is essential that we familiarize ourselves with all ten of the commandments on a regular basis. The Ten Commandments are God's law which Psalms 19:7 says is perfect for "converting" or "reviving" the soul. At the heart of Lev. 19 and 20 is God's holiness (Lev. 19:2; 20:26). It is because of His holiness that we choose to obey His commands

Why is it significant that the curtain of the temple is found torn from top to bottom in Matthew 27:51? For this answer, I think it is important that we turn again to the Book of Hebrews. Hebrews 10:22 compares Jesus's flesh to a curtain. The temple was part of the old covenant and was instrumental to the Israelites way of worshipping God. Since Jesus's curtain (his flesh) was torn (on the cross), however, we find that He is the true way through which we come to worship His Father (John 4:23). We are not under the old covenant, but rather the new. That is why many of the laws found in Leviticus and other Old Testament books no longer apply to us today. Remember 2 Corinthians 3:6 - We are all ministers of the new covenant!

Monday, February 15, 2010

Our High Priest (Leviticus 17 / Matthew 27)

Leviticus 17 contains two important ideas: 1.) sacrifices that must be brought to the high priest at the tent of meeting, not outside of the camp 2.) the life of the animal is in the blood and it is the blood that makes atonement for one's sins. When reading Leviticus, we should also turn our Bibles to the book of Hebrews. In Hebrews 8:1-2, we find that Jesus is now our High Priest who currently sits in the "true tent" (heaven). And in Hebrews 13:11-13, we find that Jesus became our sacrifice "outside the camp." Also, Hebrews 9:22 says "without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness." Can you see how these verses in Hebrews relate to two above mentioned ideas.

The comedian Jeff Foxworthy could make a lot of jokes out of Lev. 18. I always liked his joke, "you might be a redneck if you go to a family reunion looking to get married." As comical as it sounds though, our society seems to keep pushing the limits when it comes to sexual boundaries (Just watch TV any night of the week). We must be careful that we do not fall into the world's trap.

In Matthew 27:27-50, we see our High Priest himself sacrificed for our sins. Without the shedding of his blood, our sins could not be atoned for. Do you now see the connection that Jesus's death has with Leviticus 17:10 and Hebrews 9:22?

Friday, February 12, 2010

Latrines? (Leviticus 13 / Matthew 26)

I bet you did not know that the Bible could teach you how to deal with mildew (Lev. 13:47-58). The Bible is a book of timeless truths filled with wisdom. In fact, to go a little farther with this idea, the Bible even teaches us how to dig an outdoor toilet (Deuteronomy 23:12-13). Ok, so there are more important things in the Bible than this. The Bishop Butler went as far as to say, "It is not at all incredible, that a book which has been so long in the possession of mankind should contain many truths as yet undiscovered." In O.T. times, the Israelities were considered unclean due to skin diseases (Lev. 13:46). Today, we just see a doctor and hope for the best.

In Matthew 26, Jesus shares some intimate moments with his disciples (v. 26-30). However, the disciples have not yet received the Holy Spirit and are found either to be asleep (v. 43), falling away from Him (v. 31), or betraying him altogether (v. 48). In fact, we like to pick on Peter (v. 31-35), but before Christ is led to the high priest Caiphas, all the disciples turned their back on Jesus (v. 56). What ways can we notice in our own lives where we fall short and turn our backs on Him?

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Yummy Grasshoppers (Leviticus 11-12 / Matthew 26)

After reading Leviticus 11, I feel like I have come back from a trip to the zoo. But there is a point in the listing of all these animals. These were Old Testament laws God had given the Israelites and laws that he expected them to follow. I am sure most of us will not argue with God over not having to eat grasshoppers, but perhaps there are laws in the New Testament we wonder if we really have to follow (such as "loving our enemy", etc.). Thankfully, we now have freedom through Christ to eat some of these "unclean" animals (Colossians 2:16, I Cor. 6:12), however for most, I still would not advise it. The idea of circumcision in Lev. 12 has newfound spiritual implications in the New Testament (Romans 2:29).

Matthew 26 has more drama in can be found in a soap opera. Jesus prophesies his death and the cheif priests make plans for Christ's arrest. The drama continues in verse 14 with Judas (who hung with Jesus for three years) betraying the Son of God and ending in verse 25 with Jesus calling his suppossed friend out in front of all of the disciples.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

We are all Ministers (Leviticus 8-10 / Matthew 25)

In Leviticus 8, we see Aaron and his sons (the priests) being ordained and therafter in Lev. 9, we see them beginning their ministry. For those of you who do not know, I was named after "Aaron" in the Bible. Ordination done today for ministers is not entirely biblical although it is a good concept. I say that ordination is not biblical today because the New Testament states all believers or Christ-followers are priests and ministers of the new covenant (2 Corinthians 3:6, 1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6) and there is no requirement stating ministers must be ordained. So you are a fellow servant, minster, and priest alongside me in this journey called life! We also see the concept of holiness as the dominant theme in Lev. 8-10, with Lev. 10:3 standing out as a key verse.

Matthew 25:40 seems to be a key verse found in Matthew 25. Do we have a heart for missions and reaching the nations with the gospel of Jesus Christ? Though we have never met many of our international friends, they do exist. We show our love for them through our prayers and offerings. And when we show our love to the least of these, we show our love to Christ!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Cut off? (Leviticus 6-7 / Matthew 25)

In Leviticus 6-7, God gives specific details to the Israelites concerning the burnt, grain, sin, ordination, and fellowship offering. As you read through these chapters, you see how "holy" these offerings are to God (6:17, 6:29, 7:6). The fellowship offering was so "holy" to God that anyone unclean found eating the meat of the offering had to be cut off from his people. Do we really understand that our lives are "holy" offerings to God? Romans 12:1 speaks to us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, "holy" and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship. Is God going to cut us off like he did with the unclean person eating the meat of the fellowship offering? The ultimate answer is no, but in a particular way the answer is yes. We can lose fellowship with God when we don't spend time with Him in prayer and Bible study. We can lose fellowship with God's people when we get in the habit of not coming to church.

Matthew 25:1-30 contains two of Jesus's story parables. Verses 1-13 show us that 5 of the virgins acted shrewdly and were ready for the bridesgroom's return while verses 14-30 display the fact that two out of three servants were ready for their Master's return. Are our lives displaying a wisdom that says I am living a "holy" lifestyle and am ready for King Jesus's return?

Monday, February 8, 2010

Still Guilty? (Leviticus 4-5 / Matthew 24)

Leviticus 4-5 has much to say regarding the Israelites unintentional sins. Even though the Israelites did not know that they were walking in sin, God still held them as guilty before Him (Lev. 4:13). When they became aware of their sin, they were to immediately seek forgiveness through the atoning sacrifice of an animal (goat, bull, lamb, turtledoves, or pigeons). Thankfully, we do not have to worry about sacrificing our animals today. Since Jesus came as our sacrifice on the cross, He is all we need! However, as we grow in our walk with the Lord, we also come to realize some of the things we do in our lives are sin (although it may be unintentional). It is at this point that God requires us to stop in our tracks, ask forgiveness for our unintentional sins, and sin no more. James 4:17 reads, "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." In other words, if we become aware of our unintentional sin and yet keep sinning, we will now be held guilty for our intentional sin.

I have heard many interesting interpretations for Matthew 24:29-51. Some of the literature is prophetic or apocalyptic in nature and need not be taken literally. There is even some dispute concerning whether the one taken or the one left behind is a Christ-follower (MT. 24:40). The main concern for us in this passage is that we need to be found ready when Christ does return to gather His own.