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Holy Loving Father; Your word says that in this world there will be trials and hardship, but that you have overcome the world. We also read that the joy of the Lord shall be our strength. As we reflect on your word together, help us to find that joy and strength to face today's burdens and share our insights, bringing your Love and comfort to our fellow man. Amen.
Response to Leviticus 6:1-7:27
I appreciate how Leviticus 6:1-7 focuses our dealings with others on our relationship with our Lord. "If anyone sins and is unfaithful to the Lord by"...verse 6 "he must bring ...to the Lord, his guilt offering. However, our offering and repentance to the Lord for our offenses to one another are not enough. The recommendation is that we must also reconcile ourselves to our brother making things right and adding 20%. It seems to me the focus again is on relationship and making things right with both God and our fellowman thereby alleviating our own guilt and returning to a place of honor outside of ourselves. Although our works and worship may not earn us salvation, they make us Holy and acceptable to both God and our fellowman.
Leviticus 6:8-13 focuses on the fire on the altar. The fire must never go out. Personally, I cannot help but think of the refining fires of Hell. As we continue to offer our lives up through our priest, who is Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, He takes our sin, our guilt, and our failures within relationships and places them on the altar till nothing but ashes remain in memory. In the morning, our guilt has been removed and we have been born again. The ashes are removed from our sight and our purity has been restored within the Kingdom of God. As we fellowship with Him and with one another, we are presented in purity as His dear children once again, ready to face a new day.
Leviticus 6:14-18 explains more about this fellowship offering. Although a handful of the flour, mixed with a fragrant incense is burned upon the altar, there is a portion which is eaten within the courtyard surrounded by the areas of sacrificial preparation and the altar and within view of the congregation gathered. Both the priests and the onlookers or participants have been ceremonially cleansed and made Holy. I find this to be symbolic of those who are removed from within the Kingdom when repentance has not been given. Many times in the New Testament we read that if one is living in sin - carrying any guilt - and that includes all of us I believe, we must confess such sin and be working on making things right both before God and our fellow man so that we may participate in the fellowship. The next time you share in communion or fellowship, imagine yourself within the courtyard east of the tabernacle. The smoke of the altar, smells of atonement, and remnants of all those sharing in such repentance, forgiveness, and purifying surround all of us. Jesus is there serving as priest. We cannot participate unless we too have exercised purification and reconciliation.
As I read Leviticus 6:19-19-23, I was reminded that even the leaders in our churches are required to tithe to the Lord as these priests were required to offer sacrifice on their own behalf. It would not make much sense today for the pastor or minister to tithe in such a way that it was primarily a benefit to himself. Thus, perhaps the symbolism here in that the priest could not consume his own grain offering.
Following the regulations for the grain offerings of the priests, Leviticus 6:24-7:10 focuses on the offerings made by others and presented by the priest. I was reminded of Matthew 23:8-12 as I considered that Jesus Christ is now the priest presenting his sacrifice on our behalf in the courts of our almighty God. He, who is greatest among us, is acting on our behalf to reunite us with the Father. Our offerings belong to Him - whether we give them for repentance, worship, fellowship. or thanksgiving - they are His for work in His Kingdom. Whether that promotes good works, sharing His Love within our world or helping our local congregation, each gives as he is led and with a penitent heart. However, our offering should not be self-serving.
Leviticus 7:11-18 dealt in more detail with fellowship offerings and offerings for vows or given as a freewill offering. In verse 13, cakes of bread made with yeast could be offered. I could not help but imagine being a host for our pastor, brother, or neighbor as we read this portion. It seems to be all about being a good host and showing honor to one another before our priest, Jesus Christ. However, just as we wash our hands before a meal, we must purify ourselves and solve disagreements with one another before we can engage in healthy fellowship. The same is true as we come together for reception ceremonies for a wedding or honor the family at the time of memorial. The point of all these ceremonies and traditional rituals is showing honor to God and to one another. In showing honor, we are made right for fellowship. In addition, there are obvious health reasons that meat should not be eaten after 2 days. "the person who eats any of it will be held responsible." lol.
The social pressure for purification and honor cannot be missed in Leviticus 7:22-27. If anyone chooses to act outside of honor, he will be cut off from his people. It is tough to be judgemental on our brother or sister as we are called to love. We invite everyone into the marriage feast. However, once in, if someone does not wish to honor the rules of procedure within the Kingdom of God - (or in any organization for that matter) which are of benefit to all and offer a pleasing aroma - they may receive rebuke or dismissal until they are willing to show appropriate respect. I believe this allows for cleansing and builds up self esteem in the long run. Dishonor within the Kingdom is a sign that Jesus Christ is not the Lord of one's life and that they are not concerned about God's requests for right living before Him. Let me add a word of caution that we must feel quite confident that we have humbled ourselves and repented of our own shortcomings before chastising our fellowman. The reciever of such chastisement must have no doubt that such rebuke is done in love.
Isaiah 42:1-4 states this quite well. ""Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; He will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope."
I have often stated that it is my belief that God intends to redeem all of creation - that this is His free gift - and that it is not based on works. There is a world of disagreement on this issue that I am well aware of. I feel here is a good place to clarify that I do not feel that such redemption will come before each individual understands the importance of showing honor before God. Yet, I find three places that say explicitly that "One day every knee WILL bow and every tongue WILL confess". Although this verse is repeated in Phillipians 2:9-11 and Romans 14:11, the greatest passage is Isaiah 45:23 as it concludes a 2 chapter section where God states quite clearly that He will call all men to Himself. I do not feel this will be an act forced upon mankind, both living and dead, but will be one of individual submission and understanding to the glory of God. It is through honoring God through His word that we will all be made Holy. Of course, this is my theory based upon what I have read. You are welcome to disagree as we blog together to understand the Holy One.
Response to Mark 3:7-30
Mark 3:7-12 is also reflected in Matthew 12:15-21 and Luke 6:17-19. Again, as Jesus ministry and fame grew, it was because of his powers of healing and exorcism. Again, we hear Him reprimand the demons for stating "You are the Son of God", a title He never took upon Himself.
Although Matthew and Luke both move right into the sermon on the mount at this point, Mark 3:13-19 reflects the calling of the 12 disciples. Up to this time, there were crowds surrounding Him. He now chooses 12 out of the masses and appoints them to be his messengers and gives them authority to cast out demons. Have you ever questioned that although demon possession seems to have been quite prevelent at that time, it is hardly heard of today? Perhaps it is more real than we realize and worth further study within the field of psychology.and psychiatry. This passage is reflected in Matthew 10:1-4 and Luke 6:12-16.
Mark 3:20-27 is reflected in Matthew 12:22-45 and Luke 11:14-23. The Revised Standard Version begins this section "Then he went home; and the New American Bible; "He came home." Again, such a crowd gathered that it concerned both his family and the religious leaders. Today, we would probably think this was the newest cult. Unfortunately, the crowds are still gathered because of the powers, and few are following because of His words. Some translations use the word "family" and others the word "relatives" in verse 21, yet all three versions I have checked (RSV), (NAB), and (NIV) refer to His mother and brothers in Mark 3:31. His family thought he was crazy and the religious leaders felt he was possessed of the devil himself in that He had such authority. Jesus replied "If a kingdom is divided against itself, it cannot stand." Again, I confer here that He is speaking of a present Kingdom, not one that will be coming 2000 years or more later.
Our final passage in Mark speaks of the unforgiveable sin. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. This is a direct response to the Pharisees who claim that the Spirit of Jesus Christ is that of Beelzebub, the prince of demons. As He claims to be indwelt with the very Holy Spirit of God, to claim that God is indeed the Devil would carry severe consequences indeed. Thus, we too must be very careful as we claim any culture or political opponent on earth is being governed by the spirit of the devil as the Spirit of God may be hard at work in that very environment
In our condemnation we could be making the gravest of sins.
Response to Psalm 37:1-11
For me, this Psalm made me think of the 10th commandment in Exodus 20:17 says "Do not covet". So often in this world of woe we can worry and fret, yet when we trust in the Lord, our needs are generally met. When you think of those prayers that have not been answered, stop a moment and count your blessings. The highlighted verses in today's Psalm are verses 3-4; "Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
I know for myself as a younger man, I felt the ways of the world offered the most joy and pleasure. However, as I have aged, I have found that it is true that the ways of the world pass away, but there is true joy found in righteousness. And, yet, through righteousness, I have been blessed to enjoy plenty of the worlds pleasures and have even found hope and joy in the midst of severe crisis. I have been able to laugh at times of adversity realizing nothing separates me from the Love of God.
Psalm 37:8 says "Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret - it leads only to evil. I found while raising a family that my anger would splash onto all those around me. Things only became worse and life was miserable while I was angry. In the same way, I have found that thinking positive and living right splashes around to all those I come into contact with also. There are smiles and joy in my presence. Life is good.
Psalm 37:11 says "the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace." Webster defines meek as "enduring injury with patience without resentment." That makes me think of Ghandi. Such virtue will be honored by God and gain respect from our fellowman.
Response to Proverbs 10:3-4
Today's reflections have focused on righteousness, honor, and reward. The importance of these virtues within the Kingdom of God in which we now live. We finish with a reminder of this promise that God will look after the righteous. Our relationship with God will be a two way street as long as we are at work within his Kingdom. Yet, our work on earth is important also and should be performed as an act of worship. A good prayer before work is Lord, please bless the work of my hands.
Thanks for spending time here today
Until tomorrow
Rick.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
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