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Holy Father; Consecrate us we pray as we join together to partake of your Word. We humbly bow before you confessing that we are but sinners in need of your grace. Cleanse us we pray as we enter a time of meditation and response. Send your Holy Spirit within our presence to bless our words and reflections as we attempt to honor you and share your Love with our fellowman.
Response to Exodus 39:1-40:38
In choir at church, we are forced to memorize our music. I find that after stumbling through the music the first time, it becomes easier with each reading and practice. Finally as we present the music before the congregation, we sing from the heart in an act of worship as we experience the emotion of the original author.
The same is becomming true of this reading. Although I have read this passage numerous times throughout my life, it is only now setting in to the point that I am able to experience the worship of the Israelites as they dedicate the tabernacle that first time. It has helped that I have had the opportunity to read the description as God gave the directions to Moses, then as the skilled craftsman performed the work just as the Lord had commanded, then as they set up the Tabernacle that first day of the first month of the second year.
In fact, I don't know if I had ever concentrated on the reading enough before to realize this was the first anniversary of the beginning of the Jewish Calendar. In Exodus 12 we read of the institution of the Jewish calendar and of the Passover. From the following website, you can see Hebrew/Jewish observances as they correspond to the Gregorian Calendar.
http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/?year=2010&country=34
Note that Purim, Adar 14 is observed on February 28. This would mean that Adar 1 would be February 15, 2010 - today as this writing is taking place in the Gregorian year 2010. According to Exodus 12, the Israelites were to choose a lamb from the sheep or goats on the 10th day of Adar and kill the lamb on the evening of the 14th day of the month. They were to spread the blood on their doorposts and eat the lamb with the unleavened bread. Thus, the Tabernacle was set up 2 weeks before the 1st anniversary of their departure from Egypt.
Everything had been done just as the Lord commanded. As I read the passage today, I could almost see the tent of meeting as it was set up with it's entrance facing the East. The interior of the tent has the curtains (about 6' high hung on golden framing) of blue, purple, and scarlet interwoven with gold and clasped with bronze. The framing is golden with silver bases. The golden ark (2.25' high and wide and 3.75' long) of the testimony (two stone tablets with the 10 commandments written on both sides) with the golden cover ornamented with the two cherubim with wings touching was set up along the west end. The dividing curtain of the same color and similar framing was hung separating the Holy of Holies from the rest of the tent. The golden table (3' long 1.5' wide and 2.25' high) with it's golden dishes and it's bread was then set to the right end of the dividing curtain, to the North. Then they set up the golden lampstand with it's 7 lamps to the left end of the curtain, to the south. The golden altar (1.5' square and 3' high) for the burning of fragrant incense was then set between the lampstand and the table in the center of the dividing curtain.
As we went through the story again, could you almost see as they set the bronze altar (7.5' square and 4.5' high) and Moses offered the first burnt offerings and grain offerings? Could you imagine the celebration and joy as they worshipped God according to His will? As the reading continued, could you see them place the bronze basin on it's bronze stand and consecrate the priests in their new priestly garments matching the colorings of the tabernacle?
Following their ordination as priests before the Lord, we read how they set up the outer court surrounding the Tabernacle allowing the courtyard to the east containing the altar and the basin. Could you see the bronze framing in bronze bases with silver hooks and connectors for the linen curtains. As we read the descriptions again, I could almost envision the entry to the courtyard on the east as they hung the 7.5' curtains of blue, purple, and scarlet with embroidered linen by their silver connectors to the bronze pillars in bronze bases.
To cap their experience of celebration, God's presence as recognized by the people in the cloud came upon the tabernacle and His glory filled it. What joy and celebration there must have been. We can only imagine what it must have been like to witness the presence of God within their midst. No wonder their joy in the Lord became their strength. They knew they were a people, chosen and special to the Lord.
How difficult it would be to consider that their glory is now to be shared with all men. How difficult to understand that it was God who made them Holy and used them to bring forth a blessing to all mankind - that this heritage could become ours as we are adopted by God into His Kingdom.
Response to Mark 1:1-28
Some of you may be wondering why it is that as we begin the second book of the New Testament following the death, resurection, and ascension of Jesus Christ that we would be reading again of His life. The first 4 books of the New Testament are each a retelling of the story of Jesus life. Two of these stories are told by disciples. We have just finished Matthew's account, and the fourth gospel was written by John, one of the son's of Zebedee, mentioned in todays reading in Mark 1:19. The other two gospels appear to have been written by two men who assisted Paul in his ministry and may have even penned some of his letters. One of these was a doctor named Luke, who also wrote Acts, is the only gentile gospel writer. This gospel has generally been attributed to John Mark, whose Mother's home had been used by the Jerusalem church. John Mark was a cousin of Barnabas (See Colossians 4:10) and attended Paul and Barnabas on one missionary journey (see Acts 12:25). Both Mark and Luke appeared to have been working with Paul when Paul wrote his letter to Philemon (see Philemon 24). Mark is generally considered to be the first gospel written and it is believed Mark worked quite extensively with Peter.
Regarding verse 1, the footnotes in the NIV "One Year Bible" by Tyndale House Publishers says "Some manuscripts do not have "the Son of God."
Mark's gospel begins by quoting Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3. I enjoyed reflecting on Isaiah 40:1-11 which begins with "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Until recently, I could only attribute this to the afflictions Judah and Jerusalem experienced in the Babylonian captivity. However, in reading 1st and 2nd Maccabees, I have become much more aware of the tribulations the Israelites suffered throughout the 400 years between Ezra and Nehemiah and the New Testament. 2 Maccabees chapters 6 and 7 highlight the desecration of the Temple and the martyrdom of some of the Jews who refused to dishonor the law. These two books do much to detail the fulfillment of some of the prophecies in preparation for Jesus Christ to enter the world stage.
Mark writes that John came preaching repentance and forgiveness of sins. As he would not be proclaiming something contrary to the Old Testament, I thought it would be good to reflect on where these words might have been used in the Old Testament. See: Exodus 34:7, Leviticus 4:20-21; Numbers 14:17-19; Numbers 15:22-31; I Kings 8:46-53 and it's parallel, II Chronicles 6:36-40; II Chronicles 7:12-15; Job 42:1-6; Psalm 78:32-39; Psalm 99:8-9; Psalm 103:1-4; Psalm 130; Proverbs 17:9; Isaiah 1:16-18; Isaiah 55:6-7; Jeremiah 18:1-8; Jeremiah 26:13; Jeremiah 31:33-34; Ezekiel 14:6-8; Ezekiel 18:30-32; Micah 7:18-19; Zechariah 1:3; Zechariah 12:10-13:1; Malachi 4:2. (just to name a few)
Mark 1:5 claims that John's message was well received by the Jewish culture of Judea and Jerusalem, although Matthew 11:18 claims that many thought him to be crazy or possessed. He told the people of one who was coming who was greater than He. This teaching also was listed in their sacred writings which are listed below and are accepted by both Muslims and Jews as well as Christians as the Word of God:
Isaiah 44:3 says: "I will pour out my Spirit upon your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring."
Ezekiel 39:29; "and I will not hide my face any more from them, when I pour out my Spirit upon the house of Israel, says the Lord God."
Joel 2:28-29 "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even upon the menservants and maidservants in those days, I will pour out my spirit."
In comparing Mark 1:9-11 with John 1:29-34, it could be concluded that Mark 1:9-11 speaks of John the Baptist's testimony of what he saw, perhaps as related by his disciples, and not that of Jesus.
Mark 1:12-13 (Jesus 40 days in the wilderness) is shared with more detail in Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13.
How can one assume that fulfillment of the gospel is still coming 2000 years after Jesus life on earth? Mark 1:15 (see also Matthew 4:17, Luke 4:21) claims that Jesus began his ministry by saying "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe!" The whole Old Testament proclaims that God the Father provides forgiveness and redemption - that this would be made possible through the promised child (see Isaiah 9:2-7, Ezra 4:24, Daniel 9:25, and John 1:41). Jews still await that servant or child, Christians recognize it to be Jesus Christ. However, God the Father himself remains the Savior and Redeemer. I believe taking the focus off of the Father and treating Jesus as separate from the Father is a serious mistake. Just as Israel has been the servant of God the Father - and as we are servants of God the Father, so Jesus was the servant of God the Father. Jesus came to do the Father's bidding and to bring glory to the Father. By setting Jesus up as God in any way separate from the Father causes this cornerstone to become a stumbling block. (See Isaiah 44, 45, and 49.)
Jesus of Nazareth had grown up as a carpenter's son. Yet, he began his ministry speaking with authority (Mark 1:22, Matthew 7:28-29). We see this also when Jesus was a child in Luke's account (see Luke 2:41-52). Even the evil spirit's gave witness that there was something special about this man. Although Jesus never referred to himself as the "Son of God", but always as "Son of Man", others generally addressed him as "Son of God" or "Holy One of God" (see Mark 1;24, Mark 3:11, Matthew 4:6, Matthew 8:29, Luke 4:41, John 1:34, Acts 9:20, Romans 1:4). How often did Jesus respond the same as we hear in Mark 1:25: "Be Quiet". As He displayed authority of the scriptures and even the unclean spirits obeyed him, it was no wonder his fame spread and that He is still worshiped today. The only way I can imagine one might question His importance in relation with God and salvation might be to prove that these claims of witnesses to His existence or power might be false. To date, no one has succeeded.
Response to Psalm 35:1-16
I pray each day that God would guide me as I share this blog with you. I may bring up ideas in the hopes of causing conversation, but I have no desire to dishonor His word, nor this calling. As I read the beginning of this Psalm, I was reminded of Psalm 124 as David remembers the escape from Pharoah through the Red Sea: "If it had not been the Lord who was on our side...they would have swallowed us up alive...the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; then over us would have gone the raging waters...Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
This again is a Psalm which could be applied to the life of any believer as they deal with the adversities of life. It could be applied to the nation of Israel throughout their history. It is claimed by the Christian Church. In two verses I see the theme that God our Father is our Salvation. Verse 3 "Say to my soul 'I am your salvation.'" and Verse 9 "Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in His salvation"
A word of caution comes up in verse 10. So often we see ourselves as the oppressed, but when do we become the oppressor? How does God perceive our actions when we fight to keep benefits or fair wages from the alien or the underclass? How does God feel when banks charge outrageous fees to the poor and needy? How does God respond when we spend thousands to go overseas when the homeless go hungry within miles of our homes? How does God feel when we mock a political adversary who is as much a child of God as we are? Could this Psalm be recited by the leader of our people against the Church of God?
Verse 16 especially strikes me: "Like the ungodly, they maliciously mocked; they gnashed their teeth at me." As we carry the name of God, we are called to be servants in our society. We should not be pushovers, but we should be models of honor as we work to make a difference by spreading Love in our world. I Peter 2:12 says "Maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so that in case they speak against you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
Response to Proverbs 9:11-12
I will close with Proverbs 9:12 and refer you back to the response to Psalm 35:11-16 above.
"If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer."
Let me add that there is little Love, Joy, or Peace for the mocker - at least in my experience.
Sorry for the preachiness. Know that it is given in the hopes of sharing the Love of God.
I hope you'll come back tomorrow!
Rick.
Monday, February 15, 2010
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