Whose Am I? February 28 Readings: Leviticus 24-25, Mark 6:1-29, Psalm 30, Proverbs 6:6-8

Links to February 28 Readings:  Leviticus 24-25, Mark6:1-29, Psalm 30, Proverbs 6:6-8

When we talk about the Sabbath, we are usually thinking about one day a week when Israel was commanded to refrain from work. But it was so much more than that. Leviticus 25 takes the Sabbath to the next level. It tells of Sabbath years and of the Year of Jubilee. Every seventh year Israel was to let the land rest. No crops were to be planted and they were to live off what the land produced naturally. Every fiftieth year there was a year of Jubilee, of freedom.

When the year of Jubilee came, debts were cancelled and all land reverted to its original owners. Loans were made on the basis of the years left before the Jubilee. (For the record, there is little evidence that Israel ever observed the Jubilee year, not even once.)

We know that the Sabbath day was designed as a day of rest, a time for Israel to cease their other pursuits and consider the goodness of God. But why the Sabbath Year? What was it all about? Leviticus 25:23 gives us at least one reason.

“The land is not to be permanently sold because it is mine, and you are only foreigners and temporary residents on My land.”

The land did not belong to the Israelites and so they were not allowed to permanently sell it. Every fifty years all the land was to revert to the proper tribe and the proper family as a recognition that Israel could not sell what did not belong to them. The Land belonged to God. 

It is a good lesson for us to learn as well. My life, my body, my money, even my hopes and dreams - none of them are really my own anymore. I was bought with a price, as 1 Corinthians 6 says. Everything I have and everything I am belongs to God. I do not get to simply do as I please with my life because it is not my own. 

I have had my own Jubilee, when Jesus Christ set me free through his death. My debt of sin was cancelled and my life reverted to its proper owner, the God of Heaven. "My chains are gone, I've been set free." 

Lord, forgive me for those times when I have forgotten who owns me. I am not my own, I was bought with a price! You purchased me with the blood of your Son and I am yours. Willingly. Enthusiastically. Thankfully. 

Take Time to Be Holy - February 27 Readings: Leviticus 23, Mark 5:21-43, Psalm 29:8-11, Proverbs 6:4-5

Links to February 27 Readings:  Leviticus 23, Mark 5:21-43, Psalm 29:8-11, Proverbs 6:4-5

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in him always, and feed on his word.
Make friends of God's children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing his blessing to seek.

The old hymn makes a pretty good point, doesn't it? We live in the microwave age; a time when "instant" is too slow. We rush around from thing to thing, place to place, project to project. Have you known one of those taxi-driver moms who spends her life shuttling her children between sports and dance and other special projects? (Have you been one?) We are a go-go-go kind of people. 

That leaves little time to seek and draw near to God. And, as the hymn above rightly points out, it takes time to be holy. It takes time to learn the Word of God. It takes time to pray. It takes time to build relationships and minister to the needy. It all takes time. And most of us are so rushed, so harried and harassed, that there is simply no time for the things of God. 

Evidently, while things may be more extreme in our day, it is not a new problem. In Leviticus 23, God established in the Law a series of special holy days and festivals that were meant to be observed by God's people. Of course, there was a Sabbath day every week of the year. There was the Passover on the 14th day of the first month (usually around our Easter time), followed by seven days of Unleavened Bread. Then there was what came to be known as the Feast of Pentecost 50 days later. The seventh month had a special day of rest on the 1st, followed by the Day of Atonement on the 10th and then the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles (or Feast of Booths) starting on the 15th. By the time that was over, most of the seventh month was taken up in Sabbaths festivals and feasts.

Think how many days that was. There were 52 Sabbaths. There was Passover, Pentecost, the Day of Atonement and the two 7-day Feasts (which both, of course, included a Sabbath). By my calculations, that is about 67 days of the year devoted to rest and worship. That's a lot of time, just less than 20% of the days of a year. 

But God knew that it takes time to be holy. It take time apart from life's normal pursuits, pleasures and passions to focus on the things of God. We must come apart and give ourselves to the pursuit of God's face. We do not have set feasts and festivals as Israel did. We live in the daily rest of Christ, granted us in grace. But we also need to be careful to take time to be holy every day. We ought to set aside days, even perhaps weeks of spiritual retreat and restoration. 

While we may not live under the strict festival structure of the Old Testament Law, we are foolish if we do not heed its purpose. We must regularly take time to be holy, to seek God, to repent of sin, to renew our zeal and to seek the power of God. 

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct his likeness shall see.

In the words of that song lies the secret of life. Take time to be holy. 

Oh, Lord, today was so busy, with good things, with important things, and with mundane things. The phone rang and the computer hummed. Forgive me that I did not take the time to be holy that I needed. May I do that every day, coming apart from the world and its pursuits to seek the kingdom of God and your righteousness. 

Freed! February 26 Readings: Leviticus 21-22, Mark 5:1–20, Psalm 29:1–7, Proverbs 6:1–3

Links to February 26 Readings: Leviticus 21-22, Mark 5:1–20, Psalm 29:1–7, Proverbs 6:1–3

The man lived a life that no one envied. Demons had so taken control of his life that he could not live around others or function in his life. He lived in the Gerasene (or Gadarene) region and was helpless against these dark forces that caused him live among tombs.  They gave him the unnatural strength to break chains that were meant to control him.  The strength of these demons over him was greater than his strength over his chains. He was helpless and hopeless.

I sometimes feel that way about the struggles I have with sin. No, I do not believe that demons possess me, but the power of the flesh is strong. I struggle to gain self-control and discipline my body. When I am offended or injured, anger wells up and the desire to strike back can be overwhelming. It seems I fall to the same sins, the same struggles, over and over again. The chains of sin are strong. 

But the Gadarene demoniac was not left to wander in the tombs forever.  One day Jesus came by and it was no accident.  The demoniac ran up to Jesus, fell down on his face and called out to Jesus for help.  Jesus did what chains could not do; he broke the hold of evil inside the man from Gadarene. 

It is comforting to know that the same Christ who broke the hold of those demons that day lives in me today and he has lost none of his power.  Jesus empowers me day by day to walk in self-control.  The dark desires of my heart that lead me to do what I know is wrong, what is harmful, what leads me to regret and despair – those desires are under the dominion of the King of kings.  He has broken the hold of sin over me and given me his Spirit to empower me.  The chains are gone, I’ve been set free.

Once he was freed from his chains, the former demoniac wanted to follow Jesus, but Jesus had a different plan for his life.  In Mark 5:19, Jesus told him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”  His job now was to return to his friends and family and tell them exactly how his life had changed.  He was to testify that Jesus had made him a new man.

Yes, Lord, do that work in me. Break the hold of sin by your righteous power. Thank you for not only my redemption, but by the Spirit's power to purify, heal and restore my soul. 

Yahweh my Helper - February 25 Readings: Leviticus 20, Mark 4:21–41, Psalm 28:4–9, Proverbs 5:22–23

Links to February 25 Readings: Leviticus 20, Mark 4:21–41, Psalm 28:4–9, Proverbs 5:22–23

Two things come to mind when you consider the life of David, the Psalmist. First, from the moment he was accosted by and anointed by Samuel to be the King of Israel, his life was difficult. Later he was the cause of some of his own problems when he sinned with Bathsheba, but early on he was the victim of the jealousy and evil of an increasingly unstable man, King Saul. Saul pursued him, harassed him, lied about him, and repeatedly tried to kill him. David spent time hiding out in caves and living in exile because of Saul's envy and hatred.

But the most notable thing about David was that he took his pain to God. That is what the Psalms are all about. A friend of mine recently observed that it didn't matter how David felt or what was going on in his life, he sang praises to God no matter what. My friend is right. When David was happy he went to God. When David was angry he went to God. When people betrayed him he took it to God. When enemies threatened him he called on God for help.

And God helped him. Every time. In Psalm 28:7-8, David spells out some of the help he received from the hand of The Lord.

The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.
Therefore my heart rejoices,
and I praise Him with my song.
The Lord is the strength of His people;
He is a stronghold of salvation for His anointed.

When I am weak and I struggle to see how I can make it through another day, Yahweh (The Lord) is my strength. 

When enemies attack me as they did David, I am not alone. Yahweh is my shield and I am protected!

When I trust in God and depend on him I know that whatever help I truly need I will receive. I many not get all that I want but I will have all that I need. 

When life is confusing, overwhelming, stressful or discouraging, I know that there is a stronghold to which I can run, a place of peace and calm, a refuge from life's storms. That refuge is not a place, but a person. Yahweh is my strength and my stronghold. 

David knew that life would not always be easy, but he knew that whatever came he could trust in God and he would be helped!

Thank you, Lord, that whenever I trust in you, I find help. You are my strength, you are my protection. You are my refuge. 

Because He Is! February 24 Readings: Leviticus 18-19, Mark 4:1–20, Psalm 28:1–3, Proverbs 5:19–21

Links to February 24 Readings: Leviticus 18-19, Mark 4:1–20, Psalm 28:1–3, Proverbs 5:19–21

“Speak to the entire Israelite community and tell them: Be holy because I, Yahweh your God, am holy." Leviticus 19:2

This statement, repeated several times throughout the book, is the theme of Leviticus. It's not just about rules, but about holiness. It's not just about standards of sexual morality or honesty or laws for treating strangers or foreigners. It is about the holiness of God and what that demands of us. Because God is holy, we must live our lives a certain way. 

And it is about something even fundamentally deeper than that. Americans have adopted a self-directed principle for life. I live as I please. I do what I want. I decide what is best for me. Right and wrong is what I believe it to be. I am the center of my own universe. 

But the Bible allows for no such way of life. We do not exist on our own, but were given life by God. We exist in the light of who he is. God's nature and character demand a response. I cannot simply live for myself, but I must realize that there is a God who rules over me, whose right it is to guide and direct me, who has the right to set the standards by which I will live. 

God's nature governs what is right and wrong for us. Why do we submit to God? Because God is the sovereign Ruler of the universe. His sovereignty requires our submission. Why are we to love one another? Because God is love and he has demonstrated his love powerfully and clearly through Christ. His love for us requires love from us. 

And why must we live our lives in holiness? Why must we reject the ways of the world and walk in obedience to God's ways? Because our God is holy. He is perfect and sinless, pure and righteous. Because he is who he is, we must live by different standards than the world around us. 

Be holy, because I am holy!  Everything we are, everything we do, everything we will become is rooted in who God is and what he has done for us in Christ.

Because God is, we no longer get to live our lives as we wish, but must live in the light of who he is and what he has done for us. 

Father, help me to understand who you are so that I know who I am supposed to be. You are love, make me a man of love. You are sovereign, may I submit. And you are a holy God. May I live in and walk in the holiness you demand, which you provided for me in Christ. 

The Unpardonable Sin? February 23 Readings: Leviticus 16-17, Mark 3:13–35, Psalms 27:5–14, Proverbs 5:17–18

Links to February 23 Readings: Leviticus 16-17, Mark 3:13–35, Psalms 27:5–14, Proverbs 5:17–18

"Pastor, I think I may have committed an unpardonable sin." 

Pastors have heard that fear expressed repeatedly since, I suppose, the Scriptures were first written. This passage articulates something fearful, something awful - a sin that cannot or will not be forgiven. 

"But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin." Mark 3:29 

As a lifelong sinner, that bothers me. What is this sin that stands above every other sin? What does it mean to blaspheme the Spirit? Have I committed that sin? Have you? 

Theologians have argued about that sin forever, and will probably continue to do so. However, I think the answer to the question, "What is the unpardonable sin?" is found in the next verse. 

"Because they were saying he had an unclean spirit."

The unpardonable sin, in my understanding, was something that could only be committed during the earthly ministry of Jesus. If you heart was so hardened that you saw the pure and holy Christ, listened to his teachings and observed his miracles, and then you ascribed his power to the work of demons, your heart was gone beyond repair. Blaspheming the Holy Spirit was the sin of attributing Jesus' work to demons.

The fact is, your sins can be forgiven. Paul called himself the worst of sinners, but he found grace in Jesus Christ. So will you. Whatever your sins, your wickedness of heart, your depravity of soul, you are not beyond the grace of Jesus Christ. If you come to him in repentance, you will find forgiveness.

The blood of Jesus Christ, cleanses us from all sins!

Father, I have sinned against you more often than I wish to consider. But your grace is always stronger than my sin. No matter how serious my sin, your blood washes them away. Thank you for the sacrifice of your Son. 

Seeing Meaning in Cleansing Laws: February 22 Readings: Leviticus 14-15, Mark 3:1–12, Psalm 27:1–4, Proverbs 5:14–16

Links to February 22 Readings: Leviticus 14-15, Mark 3:1–12, Psalm 27:1–4, Proverbs 5:14–16

If you are following along in our readings, you will be aware that our Old Testament readings in Leviticus have been a little strange. We've had long lists of animals that could be eaten and those that could not. We have had extensive discourses on the identification and treatment of skin diseases and mildew. And, in today's reading, we are given detailed information on how to respond to certain bodily discharges.

By the grace of God we no longer live under these kinds of Mosaic laws, but they are not without their purpose. There are eternal principles that lie behind the individual laws of God that may seem strange to us. We need to understand those eternal principles even as we live in the light of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

I'd like to look back over the last few chapters of Leviticus (starting in chapter 11 and continuing through today's readings) and make some key points that we ought to keep front and center in our minds and hearts.

1) God's law is for the good of God's people.

There are some laws that were given simply to recognize the right of God as Lord over all. Some laws were designed to address pagan religious practices (the commands about tattoos come to mind here). But many of the laws that God gave were for their protection and blessing, even though sometimes they did not see it. Remember in a recent reading when Jesus said that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. We need time to worship God, yes, but we also need rest time.

Many of the dietary laws in chapter 11, and the laws about cleansing from skin diseases, mildew and bodily discharges had a very practical purpose - to help keep Israel healthy in addition to keeping them holy.

God's restrictions in our lives can seem harsh in our incomplete understanding, but we know that what God commands is in reality a great blessing.

2) God's people must live clean lives.

Among many peoples of the day there did not exist the kind of standards that God gave Israel. They did not understand about germs and viruses and bacteria as we do today. So God called Israel to live by different standards. This is true in morality and in theology, but it is also true in such simple things as personal hygiene. The Israelites had to care about things no one else did. They were to keep themselves clean in ways the rest of the world did not understand or practice.

We understand now that this world has a lot of threats to our well-being, things that will make us sick if we allow them to invade our bodies.

We must understand that morally and spiritually this world, with its loyalty to the "god of this age" and its subservience to the Enemy's lies, is a cesspool of spiritual bacteria. We as Christians must be careful to live to please the Father, live to reflect the Son, live by the power of the Spirit, and live to avoid the spiritual sickness of this world.

This is not to advocate separation from sinners. God calls us to serve the lost as Jesus did. But we are called to love God and not this world.

3) God's people are holy to him.

The key principle behind all of these chapters is spelled out in Leviticus 11:44-47. "Be holy, because I am holy." God is set apart from this world. He created it, but he is also holy and perfect in his sovereignty over it. Those of us who are redeemed by Christ's death are called to live holy lives, as God is holy.

Defining holiness requires more space than I have here. But boiled to the bone, holiness is being set apart for the service of God. We belong to him, purchased by Jesus' blood. We are not of this world anymore and should not love it or serve it. We are born into an eternal family and should seek heavenly reward, should please the Father in heaven and live in devotion to him. Holiness is not living by a long list of rules, but it is living for the glory of God alone.

Leviticus 11-15 will never be a favorite text for preachers. But it ought to always be a reminder to us that holiness matters to God!

Father, may I be holy as you are holy. 

Am I a Friend of Sinners? February 21 Readings: Leviticus 12-13, Mark 2, Psalms 26:4–12, Proverbs 5:12–13

Links to February 21 Readings: Leviticus 12-13, Mark 2, Psalms 26:4–12, Proverbs 5:12–13

The Pharisees were inflated with (self-)righteous indignation at the shocking behavior of Jesus of Nazareth. They could not deny that he taught with an authority and power that they seemed to lack and that made them angry. And there was no denying the miracles that were happening in the crowds that followed him around. But his behavior was just unacceptable - clearly not the actions of a true man of God, they surmised.

Why, he healed that man who was paralyzed, ON THE SABBATH! How could he? God in heaven must have been shocked and offended when the day of rest was used to relieve a man of a lifetime of suffering. And he did not fast and follow all the ceremonies that tradition had demanded of the real religious leaders of Israel. Shameful! One day (they could hardly say this without wincing) Jesus and some of his disciples were walking through a field and broke off a few heads of grain in the process, on the Sabbath, again!

But the worst thing of all happened one night after Jesus called a (gasp) tax collector named Matthew (Levi in Mark 2) to be one of his disciples. That was a scandal in and of itself. But then, with no regard for what was right and wrong, Jesus went into Levi's house and shared a meal with some tax collectors and other sundry sinners (Mark 2:15-17). He shared a table and a conversation with men who were not respectable, not part of the inner religious circle of Israel - something no Pharisee would lower himself to do.

The Pharisees were horrified, but Jesus was unapologetic and undeterred.

“Those who are well don’t need a doctor, but the sick do need one. I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Jesus was on a mission from God. It was not to curry favor with the elite, the rich, or the self-righteous. It was to seek and to save that which was lost. And so Jesus went where the sinners were. He dined with them. He talked to them.

This is still a problem in the church today. Most of us do not sit in judgment as the Pharisees did (though it happens). But many of us lead sheltered lives, isolated from sinners. It has been said that God called us to put away sin, but not to put away sinners. If we are going to continue the mission of Jesus we must continue his methods. If we are going to be tools of God's work to seek and to save the lost then we must involve ourselves in their lives. We must befriend them and demonstrate the love of Jesus to them.

Father, may I be like Jesus. May I be holy and pure as he was, but may I also be a servant of the lost world as he was. As I avoid sin may I never avoid sinners. They are not the enemy of the gospel, but its goal. May that be a reality in my life.  

Why Did Jesus Pray? February 20 Readings: Leviticus 10-11, Mark 1:21–45, Psalm 26:1–3, Proverbs 5:9–11

Links to February 20 Readings: Leviticus 10-11, Mark 1:21–45, Psalm 26:1–3, Proverbs 5:9–11

In Mark 1:35, Jesus does something unexpected. It had been a busy time for the Savior as his ministry was being established and his popularity was exploding. People were coming to him to be healed and Jesus was continually proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, calling Israel to repent. As his days got busier and the demands on his time got more extreme, he did something totally unexpected.

He got up early in the morning, went out to a deserted place, and prayed to God. It is a common theme in the gospels. In the middle of busy times he would find some isolated place where he could commune with the Father.

Why?

Why did Jesus need to pray? Most of the reasons I pray were not issues in Jesus' prayer life. I need the strength of God to fight my flesh and to walk in obedience to Christ. Jesus was the perfect Son who did all that the Father willed. I often lack wisdom, having no idea what I am to do. Jesus was the wisdom of God. I spend time begging God for this blessing or that answered prayer.

Jesus' prayers seemed to have a different purpose. He went up on the mountain to not to battle the flesh or to seek God's will. It would seem he had only one real reason to pray.

He went out into the desert to commune with the Father.

It wasn't about the struggle or his needs. What drove Jesus was the desire to fellowship with God. That was his highest motive - to seek God's face and not just his hand. And perhaps it ought to be ours. The reason I read the Bible and pray, the reason I worship, the reason I do all that I do ought to be first and foremost to commune with the Father.

Father, thank you for revealing yourself to me. May I seek you more than I seek what you can do for me. May I seek your face, not just your hand of power. 

Sacrifice Accepted! February 19 Readings: Leviticus 8-9, Mark 1:1–20, Psalms 25:13–22, Proverbs 5:7–8

Links to February 19 Readings: Leviticus 8-9, Mark 1:1–20, Psalms 25:13–22, Proverbs 5:7–8

The Law specified the intricate and complicated system of sacrifices. Then God set apart the priests to administer the sacrifices, consecrated them and put them to work. Under the leadership of Aaron, they performed the offerings just as God dictated. He did everything "as Moses commanded." Moses' commands came directly from the Lord.

Then, in Leviticus 9:23-24 an amazing thing happened.

Moses and Aaron then entered the tent of meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people, and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. Fire came from the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell facedown on the ground.

Moses and Aaron, having offered the sacrifices God demanded, entered the tent of meeting to commune with God. They came out and delivered the blessing of God on obedient Israel. That is when it happened - two wonderful events. First, the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. God's presence and power were evident - in a tangible way. God was present among his people. But the second happening was even more glorious. Fire came out of heaven and consumed the sacrifice. The people, having seen this, shouted and fell down to the ground before God. 

Fire came and consumed the offering! God had accepted the sacrifice made. 

I've got some good news for you today. There was another sacrifice made on your behalf - not by Aaronic priests but by God the Father and by our Great High Priest himself. Jesus offered not a bull or a goat, but his own body as a sacrifice for our sins. And just as the fire signified the acceptance of Aaron's sacrifice, we know that God accepted the sacrifice of Jesus as the payment for our sins - all of them!  

It is finished, Jesus said. Payment in full was made and fully accepted by God. 

My sin, O the bliss of this glorious tho't
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the Cross and I bear it no more, 
Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, O my soul. 

Jesus paid it all.
All to Him I owe. 
My sin left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow. 

Today, give thanks. Give thanks that sacrifice for your sins has been made - once for all. Give thanks that God has accepted the sacrifice Jesus made and you are accepted in heaven because of Christ. 

Thank you, Lord. Thank you for the Blood shed, for the forgiveness won, for the life received, for the future sealed, for the destiny settled. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. 

February 18 Readings: Leviticus 7, Matthew 28, Psalms 25:6–12, Proverbs 5:4–6

Links to February 18 Readings: Leviticus 7, Matthew 28, Psalms 25:6–12, Proverbs 5:4–6

How strange the words of Proverbs 5 sound to the modern ear. We have adopted a new ethic of subjectivity. The world is all about my happiness, after all, isn't it? Therefore, whatever makes me happy must be right. If it comes from within me, it cannot be wrong. Right?

God's Word presents a very different ethic, especially concerning sexual behavior. Life is not just about what makes me happy, but what God says is right. We are to walk in obedience to the standard God set at creation and reconfirmed in the New Testament - one man, one woman; pure before marriage, faithful after marriage; till death do us part!  God calls us to reject sexual immorality and to avoid impurity of mind and heart. It is not an easy standard to maintain in this sex-saturated, sin-enslaved world. Since we have been purchased by Christ's blood, we belong to him and must use our bodies to honor him.

But Proverbs takes things to a different level. It does not simply contain admonitions to avoid immorality and impurity, but asserts that God's way is the best way, not just in eternity but here in this world. The way of the adulteress in Proverbs 5 (representing the life of sexual immorality) leads to death and destruction. Immorality is not only contrary to God's will, it is also contrary to self-interest. Living in sexual immorality and impurity drags us down, saps us of joy in life, and leeches away our vitality.

Her feet go down to death;
her steps head straight for Sheol.
She doesn’t consider the path of life;
she doesn’t know that her ways are unstable. (Proverbs 5:5-6)

Proverbs defines the consequences of our behavior, and it has much to say about our sexual morality. The path of adultery leads us to destruction and away from the path of true life.

The moral constraints defined in Scripture do not restrict our enjoyment of life or cause us undue hardship. On the contrary, it enhances life and brings joy. We live in moral purity not only because God commands it, but because God's Word is always true, his will is always right and his way is always best.

There is no better way to live life than in obedience to God's commands.

Father, I live in an impure world which scorns your commands and your ways. But I choose to live life your way, by your commands, as your Spirit empowers me. Thank you Lord for leading me to the life that brings blessing and joy!

Sacrificed for Me! February 17 Readings: Leviticus 5-6, Matthew 27:45–66, Psalms 25:1–5, Proverbs 5:1–3

Links to February 17 Readings: Leviticus 5-6, Matthew 27:45–66, Psalms25:1–5, Proverbs 5:1–3

Burnt offerings. Grain offerings. Fellowship offerings. Sin offerings. Restitution offerings. Let's be honest. The first few chapters of Leviticus are not exactly Romans 8, 1 Corinthians 13 or Psalm 23. The details about the offerings are confusing and application to our lives today does not exactly jump off the page.

But all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for our spiritual edification, so there are some important points to remember in Leviticus 1-7 in which these offerings and sacrifices are commanded and explained.

First, and most importantly, sin requires an offering. God is not a jolly grandfather in the sky who thinks our sin is cute. He is not like us - he is perfect and holy. Because of his holiness, sin must be atoned for. Forgiveness of sin requires the shedding of blood. The OT illustrated this, but the NT states it clearly. "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin." The sin of the Israelites required blood offerings. Your sin and mine also require an offering - one God provided by the blood of his Son.

Second, atonement could only be made God's way. Israelites could not decide how they wanted to atone for their sins. Sacrifices were not voluntary or subjective. If you wished to be right with God and seek his forgiveness, you were required to come to God in the way God prescribed. There was only one way to God. To the dismay of many today, salvation is still restricted to the one way God prescribed. There are not many paths to God, there is one - Jesus Christ our once-for-all sacrifice for sins.

Finally, the sacrificial system of the Old Testament is simply an illustration, a foreshadowing of the great sacrifice that Jesus would bring. In the days of Leviticus, the imperfect sacrificial system foreshadowed the one perfect sacrifice Jesus would bring for our sins. But the sacrificial system, though it could never completely atone for sins, reminded us that an atonement must be made.

No, Leviticus is not always the most riveting reading. But the truths it presents are fundamental to our salvation.

Father, you not only provided a sacrifice for my sins, but you provided your Son's life as that sacrifice. Jesus bore my sin, my guilt and completely atoned for it. I thank you for the Levitical system of offerings that reminded me of just how great your love is; giving your Son to pay for my sins. I can never say thank you enough!

I am Barabbas - February 16 Readings: Leviticus 3-4, Matthew 27:15–44, Psalms 24, Proverbs 4:26–27

Links to February 16 Readings: Leviticus 3-4, Matthew 27:15–44, Psalms 24, Proverbs 4:26–27

The story of the Crucifixion of Christ is disgusting, sorrowful, enrapturing and transformational, all at once. But it is sometimes hard to place myself in the story. I've had my moments where I cowered as Peter did, afraid of the consequences of standing for my Lord. I'm not sure I've had a Judas moment, but there are times when my silence may have been a betrayal of sorts. The soldiers and the crowds disgust me, but I also must admit in the sin of my own heart that nothing is beyond the reach of my wickedness. One day, I will be like Christ because of the work God has done in my life, but today is not that die. 

Who am I in the story of the Cross? As I read this story again tonight, I was overwhelmed with a sense of identity. There is one person I identify with more than any other. 

I am Barabbas. 

No, I'm not a criminal or a political revolutionary or whatever it was that he was. But there are so many similarities. 

1. I deserved to die. 

No one claimed Barabbas was innocent. He was not falsely accused or wrongly tried as Jesus was. He was not convicted on the basis of lies and false stories. Barabbas deserved the death that faced him. He did nothing to merit the favor he received. 

I am a sinner and I deserve death. As sinners go, perhaps I am not the most vicious or vile (unless you peel a few layers and look into my heart - please don't!). Raised in a Christian home where love abounded, I've not plumbed the depths of sin as some have. But I have no doubt. I am guilty before God. If I were to stand before God, my verdict would be guilty. And the wages of sin is death. 

Like Barabbas, I deserved death. 

2. Jesus took my place. 

The crowd, at the urging of the religious leaders, chose Barabbas over Jesus, so our Savior went to the cross. Barabbas went free. Jesus took his place.

When he hung on the cross, he was there in my place, dying for my sins. "I'm the one to blame, I caused all the pain." It was in place of me (and you) that Jesus bled and died.

3. I am now free. 

We have no idea what happened to Barabbas after Jesus took his place and he went free. Fictional portrayals have his life changing as a result of the grace he experienced. My hope is that this is true and one day I will him on the streets of gold. Perhaps, though, he went back to his life of crime and rebellion. But Barabbas was a free man because Jesus took his place.

I am a free man today because Jesus took my place and died for my sins. I am righteous because Jesus bore my sins.

When I read the story of Jesus's death, I know who I am. I am Barabbas, and by HIS stripes I am healed.

Father, thank you for your grace. I did not deserve it, but you sent your Son to take my place and free me from my sins. My desire is to live the rest of my life in obedient thanks because of what you did for me!

Yahweh My Shepherd - February 15 Readings: Leviticus 1-2, Matthew 27:1–14, Psalms 23, Proverbs 4:24–25

Links to February 15 Readings: Leviticus 1-2, Matthew 27:1–14, Psalms 23, Proverbs 4:24–25

It is a pretty amazing array of promises given in Psalm 23. 

I will have everything I need. Sometimes I wish it said that God would give me everything I want, but that would leave God serving my wishes instead of me serving his will! But I can know that everything I need, truly need, will be provided by his hand of grace and power. 

In this harsh and difficult world, he will lead me to green pastures where my soul can be fed, to quiet waters that the river of living water may flow and nourish my parched spirit. He will renew me daily from the inside out that I may serve him regardless of what life throws at me. 

He will lead me on the right paths, the roads that he desires me to walk. These paths will not always be easy or fun, but they are his paths and he will be my guide every day. 

And even if one of those paths leads through a valley of deep darkness, I need fear no evil. Yes, death can touch me or my family; sickness, want, peril, hardship, all of these can be found in the valleys of life. But when I walk through those valleys, as painful as they may be, I need not fear because of the one promise God consistently gives to his people doing his will. "I will be with you!" His rod and staff will guide and comfort me as a sheep. 

When you walk on the path of God, enemies will surround you. That is the way it is. But in the middle of the attacks, smack dab in the center of the assaults of evil on your life, he will prepare a feast for you. A feast of joy and power and victory and hope and sustaining grace. Our cup will overflow with the goodness of God. 

And this does not have to stop as long as we live. When David talked about dwelling in the House of The Lord forever, he was not talking about heaven, though we often mistakenly apply it that way. He was talking about the joy of being in God's presence (at the Temple where God's Holy of Holies was) every day of his life. The joy of heaven will be that we will be with Jesus forever, in his presence face to face. But we need not wait for heaven to experience God's presence. He is with us, near us, in us daily and we can walk in joyful intimacy with him. 

All of that is ours!  But there is a condition that must be met for this psalm to be a promise. Psalm 23 is conditional. 

"The Lord is my shepherd."  

It is only those who walk through lives submissive to the Shepherd of our souls who can claim and experience these promises. Yes, God is still good even when we are rebellious - way better than we deserve. But if we wish the promises of this psalm to be ours, then we must not only have faith in Jesus Christ, but walk obediently as his sheep.

But remember, my friend. When The Lord is your shepherd, you SHALL NOT WANT!

Father, you are a better shepherd than I am a sheep. I wander and I am wayward. But I thank you for being a Good Shepherd to me every day. May I walk in obedience to you, in submission to your Lordship that I may experience every blessing that comes to your sheep!

A Tale of Four Men - February 14 Readings: Exodus 39-40, Matthew 26:47–75, Psalms 22:28–31, Proverbs 4:21–23

Links to Feb14 Readings: Exodus 39-40, Matthew 26:47–75, Psalms 22:28–31, Proverbs 4:21–23

I apologize! I left home Thursday without my laptop and so I am using my iPad to write this. I cannot figure out a way to copy and paste the links to the readings, so it will be Sunday before we have those again. Try biblegateway.com and enter the passages there if you are reading online. 

A Tale of Four Men 

Matthew 26:47-75 records the story of the night before Jesus' death. This was the turning point of history and the moment that all of God's work in this world had pointed to since the foundation of the world. As always, God used men to accomplish this work. In this story, four men - each one had a part in the outworking of God's plan. One did God's will. Three sinned against God.  

1. One man betrayed the plan of God. (47-50)

Well, he tried to at least! Judas was disappointed in Jesus as he started talking about laying down his life and dying. Judas was in it to get rich, to reach the top. He did not sign up to deny himself, take up his cross and follow Jesus on this mission of follow. So, he cut his losses, sold Jesus for a few bucks and led the arresting party to find him. 

But one thing must be noted here. Judas betrayed Jesus, but his actions only furthered the cause. Jesus was meant to die and Judas' sin took him down the road to Calvary. Though he was culpable for his actions both in history and in eternity, God used even this man's evil to accomplish his purposes. 

2. One man tried to fight in the flesh. (51-54)

Matthew does not identify Peter, but we know he was the one who took up a sword and tried to fight the battle to save Jesus' life. Jesus (probably shaking his head) told Peter to put away the sword and let God's plan unfold. 

We cannot accomplish the wowrk of God with our fleshly means. Paul told the Coriinthians that their weapons were not worldly, but were spiritual and powerful. When Peter tried to fight the fight with the weapons of the flesh he failed miserably. 

But Jesus, in his grace, cleaned up Peter's mess and continued on the path to fulfilling God's eternal plan. 

3. One man obeyed God and submitted to his plan.  (57-68)

Of course, we know that he was more than a man; he was the Son of God, God incarnate, the promised Messiah of Israel. But Jesus yielded himself to the Father's plan and accepted what God brought his way. He did not defend himself or declare the injustice of it all. He took the cruelty and lies of sinful men to accomplish the work of God. 

4. One man cowered in fear. (69-75)

Of course, the second man and the fourth are the same man. Having blown it once, he now followed Jesus, perhaps hoping that there was some way he could undo the damage he had done earlier. Just a few hours earlier he had proclaimed his willingness to die with Jesus, but now he cowered in fear. If he claimed to be a follower of Christ his life might end as Jesus' was about to. So, instead of standing for Christ he trembled before man (and woman). It was a sad moment. 

But we must remember the end of that story. At the shore of the Sea of Galiliee, Jesus came to him and restored him. The coward became a courageous man of God. Failure is never final in the Kingdom of God. 

Four men. Four reactions to the plan and purpose of God. One betrayed Jesus and sought his own glory and good. Another tried to do the work of God in the power of the flesh. Another (well, the same guy, just later) cowered because he feared what people could do to him. One served the purposes of God and it was he who changed the world. 

Do not live your life for self - that is betrayal of the Kingdom of God. Do not try to accomplish God's work in the flesh - that is futile. Do not be afraid of men and what they can do - fear God, not man. Let us be like our Savior, giving our lives over to the purposes of God - no matter what.

Lord, I give my life to your purposes. No selfish purpose, no fleshly strategies, no fear of man. By your help, I pray that commitment will be a reality. 

God Hears Our Cries - February 13 Readings: Exodus 37-38, Matthew 26:30–46, Psalms 22:21–27, Proverbs 4:19–20

Links to Feb 13 Readings: Exodus 37-38, Matthew 26:30–46, Psalms 22:21–27, Proverbs 4:19–20 

It's been kind of a heavy night for me. If you have read my Facebook you are aware that a good friend of mine took his life yesterday, a pastor of a Baptist church near Waterloo. It has broken my heart and made me feel frustrated. Evidently, we are never going to know why he did this. Everything seemed to be going fine. People that had meetings with him in the last couple of days saw no signs of depression. Now, he's gone and there are a lot of people with broken hearts and a lot of confusion. 

But there is a promise made in Psalm 22:24. Psalm 22 is a lament about suffering. It also has messianic dimensions - pointing toward Jesus Christ. In a deep time of suffering, the Psalmist reached toward heaven and he learned something important. 

For He has not despised or detested the torment of the afflicted. He did not hide His face from him but listened when he cried to Him for help.

There are a lot of hurting people out there - pastors, church members and the unchurched alike. Suffering is not limited to one group or the other. There are people who read these posts who are sad and discouraged by life. Money. Marriages. Relationships. Loss and grief. Stress and pressure. Abuse. We'd like it if being a good Christian meant you were never sad, discouraged or depressed; if you never failed. You are not perfect, nor am I. And the sinful world can strike against any of us, no matter how spiritual we are. 

It helps to have friends and Christian family around us when we are experiencing pain. But we mus never forget that there is One who "has not despised or detested the torment of the afflicted." He does not hide his face from us, but instead his "listened when he cried to Him for help." 

God cares about the torment we go through. We can turn to him for help and healing. 

Father in Heaven, I thank you that my suffering is not to small for you to care about. You are amazing. I turn to you for the help I need when I am hurting. A God who cares, a God who listens when I cry for help - that is good wonderful for words. 

Priority of Worship - February 12 Readings: Exodus 35-36, Matthew 26:1–29, Psalms 22:14–20, Proverbs 4:16–18

Links to Feb 12 Readings:  Exodus 35-36, Matthew 26:1–29, Psalms22:14–20, Proverbs 4:16–18

It was a moment that sounds strange to us. A woman brought a jar of expensive fragrant oil to Jesus (Matthew 26:6) and she poured it on his head. Poor people all around and this woman pours money all over Jesus' head. The disciples were outraged at the waste. Surely Jesus would rebuke this woman for her priorities. 

But they were surprised. They shouldn't have been - they should have been used to misunderstanding Jesus by this time. Jesus did not rebuke the woman, he honored her. It was not that Jesus was uncaring about the poor and needy. The Bible makes it clear that God cares about those who are oppressed, mistreated, disdained and deprived. His heart is moved by human suffering. We are called to be generous in helping those in need. Jesus made that clear. 

But there is a higher value that Jesus speaking to here. The most important thing in life is to worship God with a whole heart. There is no sacrifice too great, no cost too high, no service too hard when the glory of God is at stake. 

Yes, fellow-Christian, we ought to serve God in this world. We ought to work for him. We ought to serve others in his name. We ought to help the poor and lift up the fallen. All of that is incumbent on us. 

But there is nothing more important than worshiping God the Father and our Crucified and Risen Lord. "She has done a noble thing for me," Jesus said about her. 

So, work hard. Serve people in Jesus' name. But pour out your heart and soul to him as a sacrifice of love. There is nothing more noble than that. 

The God Who Never Gives Up - February 11 Readings: Exodus 34, Matthew 25:31–46, Psalms 22:6–13, Proverbs 4:14–15

Links to February 11 Readings: Exodus 34, Matthew 25:31–46, Psalms22:6–13, Proverbs 4:14–15

There are ignorant people who claim that the God of the Old Testament was mean, harsh and cruel, and they contrast him to the God of love revealed in the New Testament. Such nonsense. Yes, the God of the OT is holy, giving his law and expecting his people to obey it. He punishes evildoers and protects his people from their enemies. All of that is true. But to overlook his love and kindness is willful folly. 

You need look no farther than Exodus 34 to settle the issue of God's love and mercy. Eight words in that passage tell us all we need to know. about the God's nature. 

It is crucial that we remember what was going on leading up to Exodus 34. Israel had insulted God in the worst way - by turning to the worship of an idol while Moses was on the mountain receiving God's law. As Moses came down from the mountain and saw the offensive worship, he broke the tablets signifying that Israel had broken God's Law. And God was upset by their sin, make no mistake about it. 

But look at verse 1 and see what God said to Moses. 

"Cut two stone tablets like the first ones."

God does not give up on people when they fail. He may discipline his children and that discipline might be harsh, but he never leaves and he never forsakes. His gifts and call are irrevocable. The One who begins the good work will carry it on to completion. 

When Israel failed, God did not give up on them. He did not throw them away. He did not run out on them. He did not find another people to love. He did not pour out his wrath on them to destroy them. No, he did not. He renewed his covenant and gave his people another chance to get it right. 

I can remember one time when I was repenting of the same sin for about the 3 millionth time, I thought, "God, you must be ready to give up on me." That is human thinking, stupid thinking! God does not give up on his children. Throughout Israel's history, they were consistently disobedient and unfaithful to him. But in spite of all that, God was consistently faithful and merciful to his chosen nation. 

Now, isn't that good news? You messed up yesterday, and the day before. The day before that, too. And sin is nothing to take lightly. Our sin is offensive and must be resisted. When we fail, we confess and repent. Grace ought never be an excuse for careless, unholy living. But we can be confident that God is faithful. He was in the Old Testament to Israel. He was in the New Testament to the church. And he is today in our lives. 

When you mess up, God's faithfulness overwhelms your sin. He wears you down with his grace as the process of sanctification continues, and he slowly transforms you to be like Christ. When you fail him, he says to you, 

Cut two stone tablets and let's try this again!

Father, I do not want to be unfaithful to you; not for a day, not for a minute. But I have been and you know that. And I will be, and you know that. I hate my sinful waywardness. But I rejoice that I am secure not in my own righteousness but in yours. I revel in your faithfulness and rely on your grace and mercy daily. 

Ready to See Jesus - February 10 Readings: Exodus 33, Matthew 25:1–30, Psalms 22:1–5, Proverbs 4:11–13

Links to February 10 Readings:  Exodus 33, Matthew 25:1–30, Psalms22:1–5, Proverbs 4:11–13

It would be hard for the Bible to be clearer about anything than this fact: no one knows when Jesus is going to come back. There is a lot about the Second Coming that remains shrouded in mystery, but God has made it clear that this mystery will not be revealed until the moment the trumpet sounds. In spite of the unequivocal and adamant assertions of Jesus that no one knows the day or the hour of his return, people continue to be fooled by those who announce that they have either received some kind of new revelation or gotten a new insight into the Scriptures that renders Jesus’ words null and void. From Edgar Whisenant in 1988 to the failed and embarrassing predictions of the late Harold Camping more recently, the parade of false prophets has continued.

But the Word is clear as crystal. There are some things that we can know today about the end. We know that as time goes on, deceivers will arise and the world will grow more evil. We know that one day, Jesus Christ will ride from heaven to assert his authority over all the world and that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord. And we know that it could happen today. We know THAT Jesus will return as King of kings and Lord of lords, but we do not know when. I don’t. You don’t. No one does.

And that is the way Jesus wants it. I would direct your attention to a parable that Jesus told near the end of his time here on earth, just before his arrest and crucifixion. He wanted to prepare his disciples for what lay ahead.

The Ten Virgins: Matthew 25:1-13

Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

In Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus told a story about 10 young women who were betrothed for marriage – five of whom were wise and five who were foolish. They were awaiting the arrival of their bridegrooms, and the five wise women had flasks of oil to keep their lamps lit. But the others were not prepared. I do not have time today to go into the wedding traditions of the day, and those details are not really germane to the point. Five were ready, five were not. Five were wise; five were fools.

When the bridegrooms came, the wise virgins were ready and rejoiced, but the foolish virgins were left out of the marriage feast. It is easy to over-interpret a parable. This is not about the timing of events of the end-times or anything like that. A parable is told to make a particular point and the point of this one could not be clearer. Jesus states it directly. He says, in verse 13:

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

Keep watch. Be ready. O Bride of Christ, Church of the Living God, we have a marriage feast prepared for us. One day, the Bridegroom will come to take us to that feast that we might rejoice with him. But we do not know the day he will come, or the hour. I don’t know if I will even be alive when he comes, or if I will go to him when my life is over. But I know that Jesus is coming one day and my duty today is to prepare, to watch and wait, to hope, and to look up for our bridegroom’s appearing. We are to keep our lamps ready, our souls prepared and our hearts expectant.

Are You Moses, or Aaron? February 9 Readings: Exodus 31-32, Matthew 24:36–51, Psalms 21:6–13, Proverbs 4:9–10

Links to February 9 Readings: Exodus 31-32, Matthew 24:36–51, Psalms 21:6–13, Proverbs 4:9–10

Exodus 32 is one of Scripture's saddest moments. Think of the disciples, just after Jesus washed their feet, arguing over who would be greatest in Christ's kingdom. Think of Israel going through the Red Sea, brought out of slavery by God's Almighty hand of power and promptly beginning to gripe and complain as if God had never done anything for them.

A similar moment of shameful irony takes place at the foot of Mt. Sinai. Has God ever done more to win the loyalty of a people than he did Israel. Not only has he accomplished the aforementioned feat of delivery from slavery on behalf of Israel, but now his presence envelopes the mountain. So what happens when Moses and those with him ascend the mountain and are absent? The people join in worship of God, right? They gather and call out in worship to the God of glory whose power delivered them and whose glory surrounds them, right? Uh, no. They built an idol.

Immediately. As soon as Moses was gone the people's hearts turned toward a creation of their own hands - the Golden Calf.

Moses came back down from the mountain and shattered the tablets of stone which held God's commandments against the rocks. Israel had quickly departed from God and broken faith with him. It was not the first time and it would not be the last. But God's faithfulness continued to overcome their unfaithfulness.

What I would like to call attention to today is the difference between Moses and his brother Aaron. Moses served God and sought his glory. When everyone loved him, he served God. When everyone hated him, he served God. When things were falling apart, he served God. No matter what, the primary purpose of his life was to give glory to the God of Heaven.

Aaron? He was different. When the people approached him about making a golden calf, he gave in immediately. He was seeking the pleasure and approval of others. He did not fight the idolatry, he participated in it. He gathered the gold and cast the idol. (Exodus 32:1-6)

But what happened when Moses came down the mountain is even more amazing, both funny and sad. Aaron, caught red-handed, demonstrated everything a man of God should not be.

22 “Don’t be enraged, my lord,” Aaron replied. “You yourself know that the people are intent on evil. 23 They said to me, ‘Make us a god who will go before us because this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt—we don’t know what has happened to him!’ 24 So I said to them, ‘Whoever has gold, take it off,’ and they gave it to me. When I threw it into the fire, out came this calf!”

His main concern was not that God would be glorified, but that Moses would not be angry at him. He passed the buck to others, claiming he was coerced to build the idol, when the text gives no such hint. He even hinted that it was Moses' fault - he had been gone so long after all. And in the funniest dodge of all, he claimed it was all a miracle anyway. He took the gold, threw it in the fire and this Golden Calf just jumped right out. 

Moses - man of God who seeks God's glory and desires to serve him in all things. Aaron - a spiritual coward who cares more about what people think than what God desires. 

Father, may I be a Moses, not an Aaron. Too often, I live for the pleasure and applause of people. I want to be liked, approved of and appreciated. But, Lord, may I truly be like Moses. May I serve your glory alone and devote my life to the service of your kingdom. 

Living as Priests - February 8 Readings: Exodus 29-30, Matthew 24:15–35, Psalm 21:1–5, Proverbs 4:6–8

Links to February 8 Readings:  Exodus 29-30, Matthew 24:15–35, Psalm21:1–5, Proverbs 4:6–8

In our readings through the Old Testament, we are in a section that may not yield the easiest fruit for our minds to consider. Exodus 29 is about the priests of Israel and the procedures by which they became priests and the work they did. All scripture is God-breathed and useful, but perhaps it is not all equally riveting.

But there is powerful truth in Exodus 29, especially when we remember that the New Testament designates us as kingdom of priests. The priest had one primary function, that was to serve faithfully to keep the operation of the temple going. Sacrifices had to be made for the sins of the Israelites and it was the priests who performed them. The priests interceded between God and man.

Now, Jesus is our Great High Priest and he is the one who made intercession for us. It is because of his work that we are redeemed and reconciled to God. But we, as priests of the Most High God (all of those who have been born again are priests, not just the preachers) have a duty in this world. We must continue to serve mankind in the name of Christ, proclaiming that a sacrifice for their sins has already been made and seeking to bring them to God.

But in Exodus 29 there are some interesting teachings about the ministry of the priests that we ought to remember.

First, the priests were consecrated to God. That meant they were set apart for his use. By his blood, Jesus Christ set us apart for God. We are holy to God and our lives must be consecrated. As Paul said to the Corinthians, "You are not your own, you were bought with a price." We belong to him!

Second, the priests were consecrated by sacrifices. We must remember that everything we are and everything we have is a product of the sacrifice that was made for us. A priest's life was built around and based on the sacrificial system. Praise God, we don't have a sacrificial system anymore. Christ died once for all as the Lamb of God. But our lives are built around and based on Christ's sacrifice. We are what Christ has made us.

There are a lot of tough passages in Exodus and Leviticus, Scriptures that do not seem immediately to be inspiring as you read them. But interpreted in the light of the work of Christ, they open up as meaningful and powerful.

Jesus Wins! February 7 Readings: Exodus 28, Matthew 24:1–14, Psalm 20, Proverbs 4:4–5

Links to February 7 Readings: Exodus 28, Matthew 24:1–14, Psalm 20, Proverbs 4:4–5

Before you go to sleep
Say a little prayer
Every day in every way
It's getting better and better

John Lennon wrote this very moving song for his son, Sean, expressing deep love and hope for the future. Of course, John's idea of prayer did not involve calling out to the God of heaven for grace, mercy and help, but instead the expression of positive hopes and dreams. Somehow, he believed, if you expressed those wishes they would eventually come true. 

We all want that. We all want the world to get better and better every day. I want my children to have a better world to live in than I had and my grandchildren to live in an even better world. I think one of the reasons. The Star Trek series gives us a view of the future that is both positive and appealing.  

Unfortunately, the dreams of Lennon, though powerfully emotive, have no basis in biblical truth. The scientific utopia of the future envisioned by Gene Roddenberry in which our problems have been solved by humanistic achievement is just as elusive and illusory as Lennon's dreams. 

The Bible presents a much less rosy view of the future of the world, in Matthew 24:4-12. 

4 Then Jesus replied to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and they will deceive many. 6 You are going to hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, because these things must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these events are the beginning of birth pains. 9 “Then they will hand you over for persecution, and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of My name. 10 Then many will take offense, betray one another and hate one another. 11 Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 Because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold.  

Jesus sees a future that involves false messiahs and false prophets who will attempt to deceive people and divert them from God's truth. He warns of wars and rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes and all kinds of difficulties. People will reject God's law and embrace false religions which do not have the true fire of God's holy love. And, as the icing on this depressing cake, there will be persecution for the people of God. 

Not real encouraging, is it? 

Oh, yes, my friend, it is! In spite of this prophecy of destruction, dissipation and departure from God, there is much for the believer to hope for. Our hope is not and never has been in the things of this world; its pleasures, its riches or even its future. Our hope is in what God is doing. There are two key truths we need to remember as we approach a difficult future. 

1) Our God wins. 

Look at the words of verse 14. 

And then the end will come.

Let's not get bogged down at this point on the details of the Second Coming, but let us simply revel in the truth that Jesus will one day burst out of heaven in radiant glory and assert his Lordship over all the world. Wrong will be made right and truth will vanquish all lies. No matter how bad the world gets it is nothing compared to how good things will be when Jesus returns. 

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you have a bright future! Things make look grim today and they may even get worse, but do not doubt that when the end comes, it will be Jesus who stands supreme, Victor over death, hell, and sin - King of kings and Lord of lords. 

2) God is with Us. 

This truth is revealed in other Scriptures, but must be recalled here. "I will never leave you or forsake you." "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Over and over again, God makes us the promise that whatever we go through on this world, his grace is sufficient, even in our weakness. 

No matter what, you are not alone. 

3) We have a job to do. 

Verse 14 also gives us insight into the task God has left us. 

This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations.

We have been given our marching orders from Christ - to preach the gospel to all nations. Though we may suffer and struggle, we must keep our eyes on the goal. We are not here to get rich or to have fun. We are here to make the name of Jesus known in this world. 

So, yes, this world might be a tough one and it will certainly get tougher as the world inevitably draws toward the end, whenever that will be. But these things we know - that God wins, that God is with us, and that we have an eternally important task to do gives us hope and joy. 

It is interesting that most passages about the end describe the horrors that will come, but they also tell us to draw comfort from the truth. A right understanding of end times does not create curiosity or fear, but confidence, hope and comfort. Jesus wins!