Faith's Foundation - Luke 13-16

The story of the rich man and Lazarus ends with an alarming truth. The rich man, now in Hell, was conversing with Abraham, who was in paradise with Lazarus. The rich man requested that Abraham send Lazarus to warn his five brothers lest they also die and end up in dreadful torment as well. Abraham replies, “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.” In other words, they have the Scriptures, and the Scriptures are sufficient for salvation.

Paul expressed this to Timothy in 2 Tim 3:15, “and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” Also, he says in Romans 10:17, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” The foundation of faith is the Word of God! Faith springs from the written revelation of God! No other source will suffice to produce saving faith in the heart.

In fact, the rich man continues to plead with Abraham, “No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.” Abraham corrects the misleading thought of the rich man and says, “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.” Not even the miraculous will produce faith! Faith comes by grace through the means of the Word of God!

It is interesting that Jesus is telling this story, and He did come back from the dead! Though his resurrection is historically verifiable, people still reject Jesus today. The ones who believe in Jesus have believed what has been revealed about Jesus in the Word. Faith’s foundation is the Word of God!

Circumcise Your Heart - Deut 9-12

A proper response to God’s provision for Israel under the Old Covenant was that they would circumcise their hearts. The meaning of this metaphor is that they should turn from their ways of sin, fear the Lord, obey his statutes, and serve him with joy! After all, remember who the Lord is and all he has done for them!

Moses writes, “Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it. Yet the Lord set his heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day. Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart...” (Deut 10:14-16)

The command to “circumcise your heart” was easier said than done! It is the right response to the love of a sovereign God. The spirit may be willing, but the flesh is so very weak. As you know, the unfolding history of Israel will reveal this to be true. They should circumcise their hearts so that they would turn from self and serve the Lord. However, the fallen flesh will not circumcise the heart by command or by the will or by choice or by logic or by determination!

Thus the life-giving, soul-freeing promise of the New Covenant that God will in grace circumcise our hearts so that we will walk in his ways! (Deut 30:6) Grace accomplishes what the Law could never accomplish. The Law only tells us what we should do; circumcise your heart. Grace accomplishes what we can’t do as sinners and thus frees us to live as believers; I will circumcise your heart!

Why You are Loved - Deut 5-8

“The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the Lord loves you...” (Deut 7:6-8)

Moses exhorts the Israelites by reminding them of their unique place in God’s redemptive plan. The Lord had set his love on them and as a result had chosen them to be his. Why did he love them? Was it because they were skilled in some way? Powerful? Affluent? Domineering? Not at all. Nothing about them attracted God’s love. This is totally opposite from the way we operate isn’t it? Our love for something or someone is usually based on a characteristic rooted in that particular thing or person. Not so with God. Moses said, “The Lord set his love on you...because the Lord loves you.” Moses is not committing the fallacy of circular reasoning here! He is simply stating the truth that the source of God’s love is God! The reason God loves has everything to do with God and nothing to do with Israel!

It is the same for all of us who are in Christ today! God has set his love on us. God has chosen us. Why? What did we do to deserve it? Nothing! In fact, we have done everything to NOT deserve it! He loves us because he loves us! His love is rooted in his will, in his nature, in his glory. God’s love is of a kind we have never experienced anywhere else. He bathes us daily in a pure and perfect love that is totally free from any condition or requirement! His love for us is the deepest, richest love that could be known!

That You Might Know - Deut 1-4

Deuteronomy means “second law.” In other words, this is a re-telling of some key points in Genesis through Numbers. Deuteronomy is in some ways Moses’ version of all that has taken place and we often find helpful extra bits of information and theology in Deuteronomy. One of the insights Moses offers the Israelites is that God has acted on their behalf in order to reveal Himself to them!

Moses tells the people to remember the laws and remember the events. They should keep these things in their hearts and teach them to their children always. If they do not, they will soon forget and drift away from the Lord. Moses sets these questions before them. “Since the day that God created man...this has ever happened or was ever heard of. Did any people ever hear the voice of a god speaking...and still live? Or has any god...taken a nation for himself from the midst of another nation...?” Then later he adds, “Out of heaven he let you hear his voice...on earth he let you see his great fire...he loved your fathers and chose their offspring...brought you out of Egypt...driving out before you nations greater and mightier.” Wow! An absolutely, phenomenal, miraculous history! What was God up to? Moses says, “To you it was shown, that you might know that the Lord is God; there is no other besides him.”

The same could be asked of us today concerning Christ. Has there ever been a god who left his glory to fulfill God’s demands of righteousness and justice on your behalf? Has there ever been a god to die in your place and then rise again to secure your salvation and hope? What was God up to in Christ? He was showing us his power, grace, and glory that we might know Jesus is Lord; there is no other Savior besides him!

Remember Where You've Been - Num 33-36

In Numbers 33 Moses has recorded every step of Israel’s journey from Egypt until they are beside the Jordan. They were never in the same place long. Imagine the time it would take to set up camp, pack up camp, and travel to the next campsite! These people were constantly on the move, and now had arrived at the edge of what would become their home.

Looking back over their stops along the way was more than a travel log. These places represented events. Sometimes Moses even adds a few words to help them remember. He says Elim had twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees. Elim must have been a beautiful place. On the other hand, he says Rephidim was where there was no water for the people to drink. Can you imagine the different reactions when looking back at those two spots on the list? One would look back at Elim and rejoice at how God had provided so abundantly. One would look back at Rephidim, from the edge of the Promised Land, and wonder how could there have been so much complaining and doubt?

There are numerous spots listed in Numbers 33, but one in particular catches the eye, Terah. Remember that name from Genesis 11? Terah was Abraham’s father who had set out to bring his family to Canaan but stopped short in a town called Haran where he died. Could this city be named after Abraham’s father? In a sense, then, Israel is back where they started, but it would be different this time around!

Take time, like Moses, to remember where you’ve been. It may be surprising to see all the ways the Lord has been good and faithful to you and where He has brought you now!

Why So Many? Num 29-32

The list of regular offerings and Feasts is a bit overwhelming. Israel’s calendar was filled to say the least. There were daily offerings, Sabbath offerings, monthly offerings, and Passover offerings. There was the Feast of Weeks, the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. In other words, every day sacrifice and worship were taking place. Why so many?

First, there was a need for daily offering and sacrifice because sins were committed every day that needed atonement. Imagine the number of sins that would build up from 1 million people over a 24 hour period! The constant committing of sin required a constant flow of sacrifices at the Tabernacle.

Second, there were so many wonderful, miraculous events that should not be forgotten! Each feast represented a special occasion in Israel’s history where God had moved mightily on their behalf. The offerings and the Day of Atonement reminded them that reconciliation and forgiveness was given to them by God on a daily basis.

Third, every sacrifice marked an occasion for thankfulness and rejoicing! God had made a way to save His people!

As the people of God today, we don’t observe frequent sacrifices. However, the slain Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, represents the same truths to us. He died for our many sins. His death on our behalf reminds us of what God has done for us. So just as the place of death in the OT was a place of worship, the place of death in the NT, the cross, is a place of worship!

A New Day - Num 25-28

Moses was God’s appointed leader from the Exodus through the years of wilderness wandering. This forty year journey was filled with ups and downs, complaining and rejoicing, the Lord giving the Law, the Lord sending judgment, the people obeying, the people disobeying, rebellion, worship, sacrifices, Tabernacle building, and incredible miracles. It was quiet a journey at the end of which the generation that refused to enter the Promised Land had died.

A new day was now upon the new generation of Israelites. Time was drawing close for the people to exit the wilderness and began to settle in the Promised Land. God has proven His power to overcome their enemies on several occasions already. They will go in and possess the land. God will go before them. They will transition from wandering nomads to a sovereign nation with actual boundaries.

The new day would bring forth a new leader. It would be Joshua’s duty to lead the people into the Promised Land. Moses’ leadership was cut short due to his sin at the rock, but even this was part of God’s plan. Moses commissioned Joshua before the priest, bestowed him with authority before the people, and the Lord filled him with the Spirit. It’s a new day. God is leading. His plan is being fulfilled.

God brings about “new days” in our journey, “new days” in our lives, our families, and our churches. “New days” include saying “Goodbye” to some things and making transitions. Remember, however, it’s all part of God fulfilling His promises and providing for His people! The “new day” will be a better day if we are following the Lord!

Bargaining with God - Num 21-24

It would appear at first glance that Balaam is an innocent player in this drama who happens to get it rough from all sides! Balak ends up not liking him at all. He does what God tells him to do and then God becomes angry with him! He just can’t get a break. However, that’s not exactly what is going on. Balaam is not as innocent as he may appear. Remember God has already told Balaam not to go with Balak to curse Israel because they are blessed. Balak, however, does not want to take “no” for an answer. So he sends another delegation with much more pomp and more in their purse for Balaam.

Here is where Balaam should have sent them packing just as the first group. He couldn’t pull himself to do it though; the reward of going was too great. So he tried to bargain with God. God told him to go ahead this time. Why? It seems this is one of those times where God is saying, “If that’s what you really want to do instead of listening to me, go ahead!” The reason that seems to be the case is because when Balaam goes, God becomes angry.

What is happening here? In Jude, the Bible says that the people trying to corrupt the church were just like Balaam. They had “abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error” (v11). Balaam’s error was that he thought he could go along with Balak, get his money, and still please God by delivering to Balak God’s Word. However, as Balaam had to learn, you cannot serve God and money! Let’s learn from Balaam and not enter into a bargaining game with God. When we do, it just reveals that we are not satisfied with God and God may just give us what we are asking!

Mistreating the Holy - Num 17-20

Sometimes it seems to us that God’s punishments are way too severe, or, the punishment doesn’t fit the crime. Like when God banishes Adam and Eve from the Garden for eating an “apple,” or, when Moses is not allowed to enter the Promised Land because he struck the rock instead of speaking to it. Our first reaction may be, “Why so severe God?”

Of course, as evangelicals, we know that God does no wrong, so if His judgments seem out of line, there must be another answer. It is just as logically a possibility that God is not overreacting in these cases and that the punishment does fit the crime! It is more likely the case that our finite, fallen minds just do not realize it is an infinite, horrendous offense to God when we disobey and treat the “holy” with disrespect. In other words, we think God to be too severe only because we have not yet understood the gravity and seriousness and immeasurable grace of communing with a Holy God!

So what was the big deal about the rock? The Lord said speak to the rock and enough water will come from the rock to satisfy the entire people and their animals. The rock, then, was to symbolize God’s sufficiency for His people in the face of impossible circumstances. Paul says the Rock was Christ (1 Cor 10:4). Just as there was plenty of water found in a rock, there would be sufficient salvation found in Christ! The rock and the act of calling forth water from the rock, therefore, was holy, and Moses struck the “holy.” Is it really then an overreaction for God when Moses defies God’s instructions, acts out of anger, and in front of everyone mistreats what God intended as a holy symbol of His sufficiency? Not really. Let this remind us to treat the things of God with utmost respect and awe, for He is holy!

Too Small a Thing for You - Num 13-16

The story of Korah’s rebellion reveals the arrogance, ugliness, and consequence of embracing an age old enemy, pride! God had assigned a special role for Korah to fulfill, which was even more visible than most because he and his company served in the Tabernacle! Such service was limited to a few and revered by all. Without a doubt, many would have thought, “What a special job it must be to serve in the Tabernacle like Korah!” However, for Korah and his company, being special was not enough; they had to be assigned the highest position!

It is not unusual for pride to be accompanied by other comrades such as arrogance. For Korah, this certainly rang true. Imagine the gall to stand against God’s spokesman in front of all the congregation at the tent of meeting! He simply could not become more prideful or arrogant! Pride also blinds one to reality. Korah must have convinced himself that he would control Moses to get his way and God would not mind! That is not how things turned out! In fact the glory of the Lord shows up, and the ground swallows up Korah and all his company!

You can rest assured of this, though, Korah was swallowed up by pride long before he was swallowed up by the ground! Pride is always lurking about in our mind and hearts looking for a place to settle down. What is our main weapon against pride? We don’t want to end up like Korah, eaten up by pride! The answer is contentment. We must learn to be content with where God has us in life and trust that His will is best for us. We must learn to love and enjoy our lot in life, knowing that somehow we will glorify God best right where we are! Just imagine how different the story would have been if Korah had been content with Tabernacle service!

All We Have is Manna! Num 9-12

Oh how quick and easy it is for us to complain! Everything seems to be going so well for the Israelites. They are settling in to their new existence free from slavery. They have organized their people. They have leaders. They have a place of worship. The Lord is directing them, protecting them, and providing for them. The very next scene is somewhat shocking and yet all too familiar as well – they complain!

“Oh if we only had meet to eat! How we remember all the side dishes of Egypt!” Really? Are they really saying they want to go back to Egypt? Are they really saying they would prefer the slavery and hardship of Egypt to the freedom of the desert? Are they really implying that they were much better off under Pharaoh's care than under God’s care? Yes, they are! However, the real kicker is when they say “there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.” That complaint is astounding! Manna is a miracle! Manna is bread from heaven! Manna is angel food! How could one look at a miracle and complain “there is nothing at all but this miracle to look at?”

One of the easiest dangers to fall prey to in the spiritual realm is the constant possibility of becoming used to the things of God! God is daily at work around us, doing wonderful, awesome things and being abundantly gracious to us. We get used to it. We grow accustomed to it. If we are not careful, we come to expect it. We think we deserve it. We demand more. Before we know it, we are no longer thankful for Miracles!

May we be ever alert to this danger! Let us pray against it and depend upon the Spirit to keep reminding us that everything we have is a gift from God; it is a miracle!

The Opening Ceremony - Num 5-8

The dedication ceremony for the Tabernacle was a twelve day, constant flow of sacrifices. By the end of the twelve days the number of sacrifices was astounding. The burnt offering totaled twelve bulls, twelve rams, and twelve male lambs. The sin offering totaled twelve male goats. The peace offering totaled twenty-four bulls, sixty rams, sixty male goats, and sixty male lambs. In other words, the opening ceremony of the Tabernacle was a bloody mess! If one would have stumbled upon this scene without any prior knowledge, he would have concluded this to be a slaughter house, not a place of worship!

The opening ceremony served to demonstrate what would be the daily routine at the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle would be a place of death! Every time an Israelite came to the Tabernacle, the stench of death would be in the air and the ground bloody! What was the purpose for such a ghastly scene at the place of worship? Here are some thoughts.

Every time an individual approached the Tabernacle, he would realize that sin, his sin, was serious, deadly, and costly! He would be reminded that because he has sinned, something had to die. He would realize the sacrifice was his substitute; he was really supposed to die. He would realize God had made a way, in grace, for him to continue to approach God! He would be reminded how ugly and horrible is his sin. He would be reminded how glorious and holy, and majestic God must be! He would be forced to conclude that his life, his relationship with the Holy God, and his opportunity to worship are all gifts! It should be the same for us when worship the Lord. We should never come before Him without gazing at the cross!

Take Your Places! Num 1-4

The book of Numbers begins with a lot of numbers! It is far too easy to get lost in all the detail of these opening chapters. The numbering of those men able to go to war, the arranging of the tribes around the tent of meeting, and the duties of the Levites, it is easy to get bogged down and wonder, “What’s the point?”

A help for application is to recognize that different genres of writing require different approaches. Take for example the difference in a passage from one of Paul’s letters and the passage for today from Numbers. Paul’s letter is didactic. The passage in Numbers is history. For Paul’s letter, the point is in the details! He is teaching, so every word, phrase, and paragraph is building his argument and taking us to a conclusion. We must pay careful attention to every detail. On the other hand, history is not this way. The point is not in the detail but in the overall picture. The point is not that Zebulun had more men ready for war than Issachar! The point in passages like this one is the big picture.

When it comes to passages like this, we need to take a step back from the text and ask, “What is the main movement of the passage?” A couple of things stand out in today’s reading. First, everyone had a place; everyone had a job! The details demonstrate that this was an ordered society. God was positioning them in order for their service unto Him! Second, the people took their places; they embraced their assignments! This was one of the happier times in Israel’s history because the people were obedient and compliant. Num 1:54 says, “...They did according to all that the Lord commanded Moses.” God was directing them to their places, and they were taking them; that’s the point!

When the Lord Walks - Lev 25-27

Throughout the Bible, there are two primary ways the Lord motivates his people to obedience, the promises of blessing and judgment. Obedience will be rewarded; disobedience will be punished. The Bible sets these before us often as a means of stirring us and moving us toward holiness and godliness.

One way the Lord expresses the blessing or the judgment is how he walks with his people. In Leviticus 26, the Lord says if Israel walks in his statues and observes his commandments, he will send multiple blessings upon them, including bountiful harvests and protection from enemies. The ultimate expression, though, of his blessing is that he says, “I will make my dwelling among you, and my soul shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people.” The Lord walking among his people as their God is the chief blessing and delight for his people!

On the other hand, God promises to walk in a different manner if his people disobey. The judgments include loss of health, loss of harvest, and loss of home through enemy invasion. The ultimate expression, though, of his judgment is that he says, “I will walk contrary to you!”

In terms of blessing, could there be a greater blessing than God dwelling with his people? In terms of judgment, could there be a more fearful judgment than God walking contrary to you? It is the grandeur of the blessing and the intensity of the judgment that motivates us to pursue holiness before God. He sets before us blessing and judgment! How will God walk with us today? The answer lies in how we walk before him!

Set Apart for the Lord - Lev 21-24

As the people of God, Israel was to be set apart for the Lord. They were to be different from the nations around them. Practically, what does that mean? In answer to that question, the reading for today gives some examples of what it meant for Israel to be set apart for the Lord.

The priests, or the worship leaders, were selected and given instructions for living suited to their profession of coming before the presence of God. The items used as offerings to the Lord were to be handled carefully and were to be top quality. Seven feasts, including the weekly Sabbath, were to be observed in particular ways. The furnishings of the Tabernacle were to be cared for in a proper manner. Blasphemy would not be tolerated, and justice would be served for wrongdoing.

These are just a few examples, but they do serve to show that Israel would be a different people. Their worship would be different. Their code of ethics would be different. Their place of worship would be different. Their calendar would be different. Everything about these people would distinguish them from the people who lived around them.

That is part of what it means to be the people of God, way back then in the days of Leviticus and right here and now today! Sometimes the command from God for his people to be different gets blurred and a mixture of church and world forms. In essence, the difference is lost with the result that so is the church. God’s plan for his people has never been to imitate their surroundings! God’s plan has always been for his people to be totally different in every aspect of life. The difference is the witness. The difference is the glory to God!

How Much More! Luke 9-12

One of the greatest gifts believers have in this life is the gift of prayer, and one of the greatest lessons on prayer is found in Luke 11. The disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray, which is an excellent prayer by the way! Notice that he answers that prayer right away! He gives them the Model Prayer, which provides a structured example for their prayers. Then Jesus gives them a two points of encouragement for prayer.

The first lesson is persistence or perseverance. Jesus tells the story of a friend who simply will not stop making a request and as a result gets what he needs. Then Jesus attaches one of the more precious promises of prayer in a threefold manner. Ask, seek, and knock and it will be given, you will find, and it will be opened to you! (Literally, the commands are “keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking!) In other words, keep praying; the answer will come!

The second lesson, from the story of the fish and egg, is that not only will God answer, but he will answer in the way that is best for you! Jesus says, “how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Does that mean the Father gives the answer to the Spirit who then delivers it to the one praying? Or does that mean that the one praying receives an overflowing filling of the Holy Spirit? Maybe it means both! Whatever it means, though, it is good for you, and God is being good to you in answering this way!

The only thing left for us now is to pray! And pray! And then pray! While we pray and as often as we pray, trust the Lord that He will answer in His time, and His answer is going to be good because He is good!

Assurance in the Word - Luke 5-8

While Jesus is out healing all kinds of sickness, casting out numerous demons, and teaching with authority, John the Baptist is sitting in prison. This is the same man who fulfilled the prophecy that Elijah would return and prepare the way of the Lord. This is the same man who announced to the crowd at the Jordan when Jesus appeared, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” This is the same man who baptized Jesus and witnessed the descending dove and booming heavenly voice. This is the same man, and now he is in a dark place, literally and spiritually. He begins to doubt sends his followers to find out if Jesus really is the One.

Before Jesus answers their question, they have the opportunity to observe firsthand his miraculous power as he heals people with various illnesses, of special note is that they see him give sight to the blind. It is then that Jesus tells them to go and tell John that the blind receive their sight...the poor have good news preached to them.

If you will note carefully, Jesus is again back in Isaiah 61. Remember, this was the text he used when speaking in the synagogue. When he used it then, it almost got him killed. Now, however, he is using this text to comfort John in prison and reaffirm him in the faith. The point being that Jesus directed John to the Word. The Word was so central in Jesus’ life and ministry. He taught from the Scripture, he fought Satan with the Scripture, and he comforted the saints with the Scripture.

The Word of God, Scripture, is where Jesus planted his life. The Word is where John’s doubts would be alleviated. The Word is where we must live as well.

Angry After Church - Luke 1-4

Luke 4:16-30 tells the story of Jesus’ experience at the synagogue of Nazareth. It is amazing to note how quickly the crowds’ opinion of Jesus changed! In verse 22 “all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth.” By verses 29-30, they are “filled with wrath,” drive him to the edge of town, and plan to throw him over a cliff! Now that’s a change of opinion! Why were they so angry after church?

At the beginning of the sermon, Jesus quoted a passage from Isaiah and declared that this particular prophecy was being fulfilled through him in the present day. The passage spoke about preaching to the poor, proclaiming liberty to captives, giving sight to the blind, and setting free those who were oppressed. That all sounded wonderful and nice! Like these folks, we all tend to say a little “Amen” when the preacher speaks in general terms about “other” people and how God works great things in their lives.

Then Jesus moves into the personal application part of his sermon, and that is where the tide turns. Jesus tells those gathered in church that just as Israel of old had rejected the prophets, they would reject their hometown prophet. As a result, just as Israel of old missed out on the work of God because of this rejection, they would miss out on God’s work because of their rejection. They didn’t like this! It’s one thing to speak of God’s general work, it’s another thing to point out sin in my own personal life! They were so infuriated with being told the truth, they wanted to kill Jesus! Like these church-going folks in Nazareth, sometimes church-going folks today leave church angry! Let us make sure that if we are angry after church, it is because we hate sin not because we hate the preacher for pointing out sin in our hearts!

Full, Final Atonement - Mark 13-16

It can be quiet revealing to read segments of the Old Testament alongside segments of the New. The reading in Leviticus describes for us much about atonement. It describes the nature of atonement, that is, it is meant as a substitutionary sacrifice to satisfy God’s wrath against sin and provide salvation for the offender. Leviticus also describes the picture of atonement, that is, sacrifice is a very bloody, costly, horrific event. It is not a pretty picture when sin is being dealt with and removed! In addition, Leviticus describes the grace and glory of atonement, that is, it is through this God-given act that man is reconciled to God and God dwells with his people! However, for all that we learn about atonement in Leviticus, those sacrifices were a shadow of the full, final atonement to come in Christ. Those sacrifices had to be repeated often and always until the coming of Christ because they were symbolic. The complete atonement would come when the Lamb of God, Christ, was slain for the sin of God’s people.

The full, final atonement is what we find in Mark 15. The betrayal, the denial, the scourging, the scorn, the humiliation, the crucifixion, the darkness, the cry of abandonment, all of these things were part of the atonement. This is how it looked when all of our sin was placed on Christ and was punished! “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” is what it sounded like when full atonement was made for our sin! All of the descriptions in Leviticus have found their completion in Mark 15!

Isn’t it so very interesting that the people around the cross kept taunting Jesus by saying, “Save yourself, and come down from the cross!” Jesus was not there to save himself! He was there to save us! He was making full, final atonement for everyone who would believe in him!

In Between Faith - Mark 9-12

When Jesus comes down from the Transfiguration, he finds his disciples and a crowd perplexed and in a stir. A father had brought his demon-possessed son to the disciples, and they could not heal him. This boy had been in a terrible fix since early in his childhood. It was a violent possession, and often caused the boy physical harm and danger. So he pleads with Jesus, “But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus replies, “If you can!” (As if to say, “Do you know who you are talking to?”) He continues, “All things are possible for one who believes.” (As if to say, “Do you believe I can do this for you?”) The father then makes a statement to which we can all relate, “I believe; help my unbelief!” He was in between faith. He did believe to a degree or he would not have been there, he would not have asked Jesus anything! However, he must believe more. He must believe beyond Jesus can to Jesus will.

One wonders why the father didn’t fully believe. Was it because this had been going on for so long? Was it because if the disciples couldn’t help, maybe his son was beyond help? Was it because this demon was so violent maybe this one was too strong to defeat? Maybe. Probably, though, the father’s lack of faith had more to do with this being his own flesh-and-blood son. Yes, he had seen and heard of others being healed, but this was his son! We often find ourselves in this state of in between faith, and it usually applies when the demand of faith hits close to home. We believe for others to be saved, but we question if our loved one will be saved. We believe for others to get answers to prayer and strength against temptation, but we doubt so easily when it is us in need! Let us pray as this father did, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

The Lesson of the Loaves - Mark 5-8

After feeding the five thousand with five loaves and two fish, Jesus sent the disciples ahead of him in a boat as he dismissed the crowds. Later that evening after he had prayed, he begins walking on the water and catches up with them because the wind is against them. When they see Jesus, they immediately think they are seeing a ghost and scream out in fear. Jesus speaks, gets into the boat, and the wind immediately ceases. As profound and miraculous as that story is, it is the side-note at the end that raises an interesting question. Mark says the disciples were astounded “for they did not understand about the loaves.” So somehow there is a connection between Jesus coming to them walking on the water and the feeding of the five thousand. They don’t get the connection. What is it? What is the lesson of the loaves that Jesus uses the sea event to help drive the point home?

The answer may in fact be found before the story about the loaves. Earlier in the same chapter Jesus had sent out the disciples to preach, heal, and cast out unclean spirits. He had given them the authority, and their mission was extremely successful! Then Jesus asked them to do something else miraculous, feed five thousand people. They couldn’t do it. Jesus did. Indeed, Jesus fed the multitude to such a degree that there were enough leftovers for each disciple to have his own basket full. Now Jesus asks them to do something one would think very easy to do. Row a boat to the other side of the sea. They couldn’t do that either.

After you go about healing people and casting out demons everywhere, you may begin to think you can do anything. The truth is though, you can’t do anything, the mundane or the miraculous without Jesus! That’s the lesson of the loaves!

The Unpardonable Sin - Mark 1-4

Probably no other passage of Scripture causes more unnecessary worry for the believer than the passage about the unpardonable sin. There are two questions that immediately surface when this passage is read. First, “What is the unpardonable sin?” Second, “Have I committed it?”

What is it? A close look at the text reveals what is involved in committing the unpardonable sin. An outrageous charge was leveled against Jesus by the scribes from Jerusalem. Take careful note that these scribes had already decided in their heart of hearts not to believe in Jesus, and they were going to do anything they could to discredit him and silence his ministry and popularity. They were hardened, unbelievers who violently opposed Jesus and the gospel he preached. So what was their charge? They claimed that Jesus was performing miracles through the power of Satan. Jesus and Satan were working together. Jesus replied that not only was their charge ridiculous and absurd, it was damnable! They had crossed the line of which there was no forgiveness, no return. So what is this line? The unpardonable sin is to attribute the saving work of the Holy Spirit as the work of Satan.

Have you committed it? Not if you are a believer in Jesus Christ! Remember, the ones who committed this sin were hardened, unbelievers who opposed the gospel! Followers of Christ are in no danger whatsoever of committing this sin! Now, if you are not a believer, it is very possible that if your heart continues to grow hard against the gospel, you will so deny and refuse the gospel that you will twist the gospel into an anti-gospel! The answer for you is to flee to Jesus and be saved now!

Atonement's Requirement - Lev 17-20

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life” (Lev 17:11). Among the list of laws, the Israelites were forbidden to eat blood from an animal. The reason for this is that blood played a special role in God’s plan of forgiveness so it was to be set apart and only used for this specific purpose.

This all sounds a bit gory, and it is meant to sound that way. Atonement is an horrific event because sin is a terrible, ugly, violent act! However, once you understand the grace of God in even making atonement available, the gore turns to glory!

Atonement is God’s idea, and if God had not provided a means of reconciling us to him, we would be hopelessly, eternally lost in our sin! The basic idea of atonement is that sin incurs the wrath and judgment of God. It bears the penalty of death, both physical and spiritual. Therefore, blood must be shed. Death must happen because it is the consequence of sin. In atonement, God designed a way for death to occur and still save his people by supplying a substitutionary death. The result of atonement then is that justice is satisfied, grace is dispensed for the sinner, and God is glorified for saving undeserving sinners!

For this great transaction to take place, though, blood was required. Atonement is an ugly and a beautiful God-given provision. Our atonement is found in Christ as he gave himself on the cross for our sins. The cross is an horrific sight where our sins were paid in full! However, the cross is also a beautiful sight where grace took away our sin!

The Day of Atonement - Lev 13-16

Every year, on the 10th day of the 7th month, Israel was to observe a Day of Atonement. The purpose for this day was to provide cleansing and forgiveness for all the people because of all their sins. They were to observe this day with fasting and no work. In other words, this was to be a day of worship for them. They were to sit and think and pray and thank God for what was taking place on this day. One more time, their sins were being taken care of by God’s provision!

This day required 1 bull, 2 rams, and 2 goats in order for full atonement to be achieved. Aaron was in charge of the process (later would be the High Priest). He was to first make atonement for himself and his house so that he could continue to the process. Then he was to make atonement for the Holy Place, the tent of meeting, and the altar because even these were tainted from a year’s worth of the people’s sin. Finally, he made atonement for the people involving the two goats. One goat was slain and its blood sprinkled on the altar. In this way, payment was made for the people’s sins. With the other goat, Aaron confessed the people’s sins upon its head, and then it was led out into the wilderness and set free. In this way, the people’s sins were removed from them. Therefore, at the end of the Day of Atonement, their sins were dealt with completely, forgiven and removed!

In the New Testament, a final Day of Atonement took place with the death of Christ. His one perfect sacrifice fulfilled the role of both goats once and for all. He paid for the sins of God’s people and totally removed them from their account! “Christ offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins!” (Heb 10:12) The cross was our Day of Atonement, and our response can only be worship!

Be Holy - Lev 9-12

As the people of God, Israel was to be different from the people groups around them. They were to stand out as not following the usual patterns of religion and culture and morals. They were to be distinguished, easily recognized as unusual! In other words, they were to be holy!

They were to be holy as the only proper means to represent their God, who is holy. Almighty God is different from any other god or being, particularly since he is the only true, living God, and everything else is part of creation! God is holy. God is separate. And his standards are entirely different from those of the world because this world is in a fallen, sinful state. Therefore, God’s people should pattern their lives around him and not around the world. Their worship, their relations, their rules of conduct, everything should stand out because they belong to God.

So Israel was to consecrate themselves, that is, set themselves apart. The means the Lord provided for them to do so was through the numerous and detailed types of sacrifices, ceremonies, feasts, and laws. However, as the story of Nadab and Abihu shows, sinful people will never be able to keep perfect institutions. You simply can’t be holy through the Law!

As it turns out, God’s answer for his people to reflect him was never the Law. The Law only pointed to the true source of being consecrated to God, namely, Christ! Christ is the fulfillment of the Law, and in him, we are holy! We are different! We are set apart! We are not perfect, but we are different! If we are in Christ, one day we will be perfect. This is all to the praise and glory of God. In Christ, we are holy, for God is holy. One day we shall be completely holy, for God is completely holy!

Becoming Priests - Lev 5-8

Under the Old Testament Law, you don’t become a priest overnight! In fact, there is quiet a detailed, often gory, very symbolic, and strange (to us) series of steps taken. There was an announcement of consecration, clothing in priestly garments, anointing with oil, the slaying of one bull for their sin, one ram for a burnt offering, and another ram for ordination. An elaborate process took place in the three animal killings involving the specific sectioning of animal parts for distinct purposes, the pouring or throwing of blood at the altar, washing some of the parts, putting blood on the right ear, right hand, and right foot, and the placing of the priests’ hands on the head or horns of the animals (which symbolized the transferring of guilt). Then when everything was in place, Moses tells Aaron and his sons that it will take seven days to complete their ordination, that this process is making atonement for them, and that without it, they will die. Becoming priests was deadly serious and life giving for both the priests and the people! For after ordination was complete, the priests would then make atonement for the people through the sacrifices.

The New Testament teaches us that in Christ, we are a holy priesthood. We have been announced as priests by the Scripture. We have been clothed in a new garment, the righteousness of Christ (Phil 3:9). We have been anointed for service by the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:27). We have been set apart for service unto the Lord through sanctification (2 Thess 2:13). And our guilt has been transferred to Christ, who is our sin offering, burnt offering, and place of consecration. Christ is our Substitute who makes atonement for us so that we will not die! (2 Cor 5:21) And for us as well, becoming priests of God was deadly serious and life giving!

Atonement - Lev 1-4

“So the priest shall make atonement for him for his sin, and he shall be forgiven.” Lev 4:26 and 31 and 35. Throughout the book of Leviticus, this phrase will appear again and again in very similar form. In fact, atonement is one of the more popular words of this book. So what is atonement? Let’s make some observations from the above verse to shed light on this central motif because as we discover in the New Testament, Christ is our atonement! First, notice that atonement is God’s idea. It is a God-given gift to us. Atonement is God’s provision for man so that man may escape the wrath of God! Atonement is serious business. It is life or death!

Second, atonement involves substitution. It is the sinning man who is guilty, but through the act of atonement, blood from another being is substituted as the payment for man’s sin. Sin still bears the consequence of death, it is through atonement that man is saved from this death.

Third, it bears repeating that atonement is an act resulting from man’s sin! Sin brings death. Sin brings separation from God. Man sins constantly. Atonement removes the consequences of sin and reconciles man with God!

Fourth, atonement ends in forgiveness. The goal of atonement is the removal of sin from man’s account so that man may again approach and worship and glorify a holy God!

Christ, our atonement, is all of these things for us! Christ is our substitutionary atonement, sent by the Father as a propitiation for our sin, and it is through him that we are reconciled to God!

Visibly Present - Ex 37-40

By the time you reach Exodus 37, it’s time to get to work! The freewill offering has been received from the people, and the Lord has gathered those whom he gifted to craft the items. So the people begin constructing the Tabernacle items and the Tabernacle itself. Next were the priestly garments, and the anointing of the everything related to the Tabernacle. Finally, everything was set in its exact place. And the Bible says, “So Moses finished the work.”

All of the above steps were part of the process whereby now the people could worship the Lord, and whereby the Lord would dwell among his people. Everything is built, anointed, and in place. What will happen next?

The glory of the Lord fills the place! It does so to such a degree Moses was not even able to enter the tent of meeting! God gave a prescription for making it possible for him to dwell among them, they obeyed, and he showed up in all his glory! The last words of Exodus are “for the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.” Cloud and fire now are not just pillar guides, cloud and fire represent the glory of the Lord. And it is very hard to miss such a sight! Every single day all the people of Israel had to do was look to the tabernacle, and there they would see the glory of God! Then they would know that God was with them!

It is the same for us today in Christ! When we look to him, we see the glory of God. “and we have seen his glory” (John 1:14) When we look to him, we know God is with us. “I am with you always” (Matt 28:20)