February 27, 2010, Leviticus 20:22-22:16, Mark 9:1-29, Psalm 43:1-5, Proverbs 10:18

Lord, you alone are worthy to receive all our honor and our praise.  We confess our sins and ask for an extra measure of your Spirit as we study your word together. May our time be pleasing in your sight and may the thoughts and words we share illuminate our hearts and minds that through us, your light might shine on our fellowman, bringing other's closer to you.  Amen.

Response to Leviticus 20:22-22:16

Leviticus chapter 20 began by addressing the disturbing worship of the God Molech that was being done among the Israelites.  It went on to condemn wizards and sorcery, adultery, and other sins.  Our reading today from Leviticus 20:22-27 reminds the people of our theme "I am the Lord your God who made you Holy because I am Holy."  God chose this people, not because they were supposedly better than the rest of mankind, but because He would use them to carry forth His redemption plan for creation.  Therefore, as His special representatives  on earth, He said in verse 26: "You shall be holy to me; for I the Lord am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine." Notice, it was never God who belonged to the people, but the people who belong to God.  Therefore, "My God", becomes "Our God" through our commonality of creation and Our Father's redemption plan.  This does not change the fact that God chose this nation for His special purpose and performed great signs and wonders to the Glory of His name.

Considering yourself a child of God is a serious matter.  As His representative on earth, it is our call to draw all men unto the Father.  If we are pushing men away, something is wrong with our understanding of scripture.  Although the people were called to ceremony and sacriment, The family of Aaron received stricter laws of sanctification and consecration in Leviticus 18 and 19 as well as today's reading from Leviticus 21.  Among them, the High Priest was called to the most Holy service and honor to God.  The people were told to avoid the religious practices of the foreign nations but the High Priest was not even allowed to be with family at the death of a close family member.  He could not leave the sanctuary - but he could marry.  He could not have any noticeable affliction.  As God's nearest representative, He had to live a life which was most Holy.  This, again, should have affected this man's heart towards God and also was a visible sign to all the people of the Holiness of God. 

Note that in providing the plans for the son's of Zadok regarding the new temple that would be built, Ezekiel 44:15-31 reads very much like our reading in Leviticus.

Today, the belief of Christianity is that our Creator has now allowed all of us access to Himself through Jesus Christ, our High Priest who offered himself on the cross as God's Holy Sacrifice on our behalf.  He not only remains in the sanctuary, but sits at the right hand of the Father.  Romans 12:5 states: "so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."

Hebrews 2:17-3:6 states: "For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God's house. Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. Moses was faithful as a servant in all God's house, testifying to what would be said in the future. But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house" 

Hebrews 4:14-16 continues: "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Jesus said it this way in John 14:23-26: ""If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."

Ephesians 1:17-23 speaks of the Father setting Christ up as our High Priest, calling us back unto Him: "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Finally, let's consider Leviticus 22:14-16.  No longer are the people of God not allowed to partake of the holy sacriment, but we are invited to the wedding feast of the lamb.  We celebrate this fellowship through the sacriment of communion laying claim to the body and blood shed on the cross on our behalf by our High Priest, Jesus Christ.

Response to Mark 9:1-29

In Mark 8:29, 32, and 33, we saw Peter respond to Jesus "You are the Christ." As the mindset of the Jews was that the Christ would be a conquering King, the fact Jesus changed the conversation to His death motivated a rebuke from Peter that this would not happen.  As we read, Peter then received the rebuke back from Jesus, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are not on the side of God, but of men."  It could very well be that Jesus was speaking directly to Satan, and not to Peter given the strength of this temptation that He Himself was experiencing.  Matthew 16:18 adds a comment following Peter's confession and before the rebukes in which Jesus blesses Peter and says "you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome." Peter indeed went on to become the leader of the Jerusalem Church. 

I am not sure why Mark 9:1 is so often separated from either Mark 9:2 and following or Mark 8:34-38.  "Jesus said to them, 'I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Kingdom of God come in power.'" This statement ties the preceeding conversation and understanding of the people directly into the Transfiguration of today's reading.  Mark 9:2 continues with the story. "And after six days (that makes this the 7th day), Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, (some of those who had been standing there), and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves; and he was transfigured before them!" They saw the power of His Glory! The King of Kings and Lord of Lords with the Heavenly prophets of old!

In a letter to the faithful, Peter wrote: "We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.' We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.  And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts."

In today's reading, we witness that day where Peter, James and John experienced Jesus Heavenly transformation and heard the Father's words: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!" If there had been any question in their faith, this should have cured it.  This should have convinced them that when Jesus said He would die, they should believe it! But they still did not understand as their human faith had hardened their hearts to God's ultimate plan.  Throughout the rest of their lives, they too would continue to put the pieces together of what they had seen and heard and how it all related to the Jewish Scriptures from Moses, through Elijah, until their present day.  And, yet, I question whether they understood all things before they died, or whether we can still identify more truth through their words and through our own study of the scriptures today.

This story is also shared in Matthew 17:1-8 and Luke 9:28-36, each account is slightly different.  I have found various references listed in study guides that were not used by the disciples, but I also find their witness found in Isaiah 43:9-10. "All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Which of them foretold this and proclaimed to us the former things? Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right, so that others may hear and say, 'It is true.'  'You are my witnesses,' declares the Lord, 'and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.'" All five who stood with Jesus that day were witness to the plan of the Father.  Moses, Elijah, Peter, James, and John.  Each is a major player in this book of life we call the Bible.  We too play a part and are called to be witness. 

Am I, as a child of God, able to question whether their interpretation of Malachi 4:4-6 was correct? The passage states: "Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel. See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse."

The disciples upbringing had taught them a different theology.  Before the Messiah could come, Elijah would, based on this piece of scripture.  Into this mindset, Jesus speaks to them of John the Baptist, and their minds could wrap around that concept - as have ours.  However, Moses and Elijah had come before Christ.  All the law and the prophets had borne witness to the Prince of Peace!  Yet, the people of that day imagined God the Father to be one of wrath and judgement who would come and destroy everyone but the Jews. They could not imagine that their promised Messiah had come to die to save all men! And yet, there it is in Malachi 4:4-6 He would turn the hearts of the children to their Father, and the heart of the Father to their children, lest the creation would remain under the curse.  He had to die, to rise again! All the law, all the prophets, all the true witnesses to His life, and death, and resurrection agree. God stuck to His plan and His only begotten son, His chosen, obeyed.  His children today continue to interpret the scripture and mature in their understanding. Jesus himself did not refer to Malachi, but spoke of Elijah's life and all the troubles he faced.

The story of the demon posessed boy in Mark 9:14-29 is also shared in Matthew 17:14-21 and Luke 9:37-43.  Can you imagine what the tabloids would have done with Jesus, the celebrity, had they been there then? I'm sure they were in some capacity.  Having witnessed epileptic siezures, I am apt to agree that this boy suffered from epilepsy.  However, again, the purpose of Jesus ministry was not to train the people in modern medicine.  He spoke and performed signs within the understanding of the culture.  Have you noticed that Jesus has been becoming more and more frustrated with the crowd's dependance on miraculous powers, instead of understanding the purpose of the Kingdom?  I do not believe He was questioning the faith of the disciples in this story, but was expressing His disgust with having to perform yet another miracle for these people who would still despise and reject Him as He would not perform their ultimate requirement, freedom from Roman oppression. 

Having said that, I am quite sure I have dealt with demon possession within my own family.  I think our inability to see the truth of the gospel - and many of our addictions, could certainly be caused by demons.  I also believe that as we give our lives over to honoring God, we are able to win those battles. I cannot question the fact that as the demons of that day continued to speak to Jesus that something evil was definately involved.  If you think about it, I am sure you can recognize demon possession affecting your own life or those around you.  Do you believe God has the power to save? Is it worth commiting your life and the problem to Him? Do you believe He loves you enough to help? Call a friend and work through it together or seek help through a local church, and most importantly, pray unceasingly, it will cleanse your heart.

Did you hear Jesus rebuke of the boy's father when the father let slip a lack of faith? Verse 23: "If you can?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." To which the Father responds with our highlight verse for today: Mark 9:24: "Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" Amen!

Response to Psalm 43:1-5

As I read this Psalm, I thought it seemed like a continuation of Psalm 42.  I checked the footnote which said: "In many Hebrew manuscripts Psalms 42 adn 43 constitute one Psalm" 

Having just read Mark 9:19 where Jesus rebukes the crowd: "O unbelieving generation, How long shall I put up with you?" I can almost hear Him in Psalm 43:1: "Vindicate me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation; rescue me from deceitful and wicked men." 

You may sense that I too get frustrated with my fellowman.  And yet, I must admit that I am also plagued with unbelief.  I am on a quest to find and to understand the Love of God, because I believe it is out there even if I don't feel it day to day.  I am not a saint! I am but a man like you.  I am seeking God and I have faith that I will find him.  I do believe that although I have my doubts, there is a purpose I have been called to.  Yet, I too, must wait to see the Salvation of our God.  I also know that as I look back over my life, I will see that He was there all the time.  I too must put my "hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." (vs. 5)

Response to Proverbs 10:18

In response to Psalm 43, I confessed my unbelief and frustration to you.  Due to the prodding of today's Proverb, I must also confess that I deal with hatred, bigotry, and slander even though I despise these very things in both myself and others who swear allegience to the Prince of Peace.  There, I said it and I displayed it. I confess it to you before God and I stand with you as a brother in need of our Savior's grace, mercy, forgiveness, and Love. He alone is worthy. Thank the Lord He serves as my Priest and King. 

Until tomorrow, my family;

Rick.