~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Numbers 33:40-35:34 ~ Luke 5:12-28
Psalm 65:1-13 ~ Proverbs 11:23
Old Testament - Today in Numbers chapter 33 we read about the other nations in Canaan. In chapter 34 we read about the boundaries of the Promised Land. Below is a map of how the tribes will divide Canaan - which we will read about later in the Bible in more detail:
In chapter 35 verses 10-12 we read about the Cities of Refuge - "`When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, designate cities of refuge for people to flee to if they have killed someone accidentally. These cities will be places of protection from a dead person's relatives who want to avenge the death. The slayer must not be killed before being tried by the community." Reading about the Cities of Refuge reminds me of our current day laws of "innocent until proven guilty." It seems like the Cities of Refuge idea still lives on in our justice system today in some regards.
New Testament - In Luke chapter 5 we read one of my favorite healings' of Jesus - where he heals the paralyzed man on the mat - in very large part because of the paralyzed man's friends who carry him to Jesus! I love that his friends did this. I pray if I was paralyzed I would have friends like these! Check out verses 18 through 20 - "Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to push through the crowd to Jesus, but they couldn't reach him. So they went up to the roof, took off some tiles, and lowered the sick man down into the crowd, still on his mat, right in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, "Son, your sins are forgiven."" I am fascinated by this - "seeing their faith" - I don't know if this is a quirk of the New Living Translation or if indeed Jesus literally saw the faith of the paralyzed man's friends. My hunch is that he did. And this makes me realize that sometimes when our faith is at a low point, maybe our friends can help carry us along and bring us closer to Jesus. And maybe we should act like these friends for someone in our life who is "paralyzed" by something.... Is there someone in your life that you can help "carry the mat for" and in doing so bring them closer to Jesus? Wow. I pray I have friends like this - and I pray I can be a friend like this to others...
Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Luke chapter 5 titled "Stretcher Carriers and Sermon Critics" is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 65 has some amazing verses about nature! I love verse 8 - "Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy." When is the last time you have been inspired to shout for joy to God for the beautiful sunset he created?
Verse 7 of the Psalm says this - "You quieted the raging oceans with their pounding waves and silenced the shouting of the nations." When is the last time you have stood in complete silence before God because of his beautiful Creation?
Proverbs - Today's Proverb 11:23 teaches us: "The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath." This is a great teaching that leading a godly life will lead to happiness. And leading a wicked life.... brings wrath. This is sobering to really ponder. It's a choice each one of us must make. What type of life will we lead? And where will that life choice ultimately lead us. I pray each of us are on the Path of Life toward and with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. It's the only path that leads to eternal happiness.
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: Based on our readings in Luke today, have you ever had someone "carry you on a mat" when you were in a time of need? Have you ever had friends that demonstrated great faith in you? Conversely, have you ever carried friends on their mat when they were in need? Do you think we are called to carry each others burdens? Why or why not? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
Thanks for the beautiful pictures on nature, Mike, the sunset especially. I've always loved the sunset. There's nothing like a prayerful walk on the beach with the sunset on the background. It stills the soul and lifts you up the ground!!!
I've taken pictures of sunset in my travels----they may look slightly different but the beauty and grandeur is all the same.Like God whose presence never fades...
I also like the symbolic aspect of the sunset. While it signals the end of the day, it is a reminder that there is another tomorrow when the sun rises again to signal another day. The sunset and the sunrise, the Resurrection!
That's what I meant the last time I said not to be so much to be focused on the Crucifixion but on the Resurrection.
Posted by: Rosyln | March 21, 2007 at 08:37 PM
Jenny
"I'm guessing he left his wife to follow Jesus."
For a time, but Peter remained married. Apparently later Peter's wife joined him in his ministry.
1Cor9:5
"Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas?" NIV
[Note: Gk. "gune" can be translated "woman" or "wife", but the context here points to "wife". Paul is talking about his rights as an apostle and compensation (which he does not desire). The compensation picture entitled to apostles during their travels and ministry does not seem to lend itself to an accompanying sister in Christ (woman), but rather to a wife - that both husband and wife were to be supported.]
Posted by: John | March 21, 2007 at 09:53 PM
Absolutely -- I'm incredibly fortunate because I work with very good friends who know Jesus. Many times, when I've descended the spiral staircase of despair, self-flagellation, and pity, they've brought me to Jesus. My beautiful wife has also carried me as I've sprawled on the mat of regrets. This passage and your comments have nudged me to do the same for a struggling family member. Thank you -- awesome pix, too!
Posted by: George | March 22, 2007 at 02:12 AM
Wow those pictures representing different nature scence are fantastic. I just brought a fireplace DVD and looking at these pictures I wish they made a DVD of nature. It helps me to appreciate all of Gods wonders and allows me to spend time with Him.
Last night 2 of my friends & myself could not make prayer service because of the threat of rain. We decided to have a prayer service over the phone. We incoporated my church style of prayer service. The first prayer we prayed for ourselves, the second prayer was for others and last for the leaders in our life. While we prayed we talked about how Gods grace truly is amazing the 3 of us had long term relationships which ended recently. We could not figure out why? or What was going on? But now we get it we are carrying one another, holding up and undergirding each other when the other is down ..We can carry each others mat and it doesn't matter that my marriage was a 10 yrs one, another friends was 12 yrs and the other 5. We ALL carried that mat for each one of us during this time in our life. And when we can't pray for ourselves we know our sisters are in the gap for us. I pray God continue to use me for His purpose.
Proverbs 65 (scatter rose petals down your paths,
All through the wild meadows, rose petals. )
Stood out to me today because there are times that I believe my path is going to be filled with rocks but instead I feel the velvety touch under my feet and it is then I know my Lord has spread rose petals along my wild path.
And I think Him...and absolutely love Him.
Posted by: Laverne | March 22, 2007 at 06:27 AM
Actually just today I stood in complete silence before God because of his beautiful creation. This morning I happened to be doing such a mundane thing as making the bed, when I happened to look up at the window and see a beautiful rainbow. I was immediately struck by it's beauty, so I ran to go get the camera and took a picture from our balcony, which I would share here but HTML comments are not allowed. Maybe I'll try to post it or something. But anyway, right after the chaos of making sure I got the picture before it went away, I was able to stand in complete stillness for a few moments to admire it, and was really reminded of God and the Noahic covenant. I could tell that God was really speaking to my heart, and was so moved by that moment, as silly as it sounds :)
Another funny thing that happened today was that I was driving to a friends house and missed the freeway exit, and was forced to drive another 5 miles or so without another exit. I got angry at first, but looked at the mountains and scenery around me and realized that this was a perfect opportunity to be alone with God for a few minutes and pray, so that's what I did. It actually turned out to be a nice blessing in disguise. :)
So lots of God-created beauty in my day today, it was a very nice reminder of all the incredible creation that God has granted us that most of us don't even have the time to notice...
Posted by: Erin | March 22, 2007 at 09:05 AM
I too love this account in Luke. The Bible doesnt say the man on the mat had faith or not, but his friends did. How awesome! What a good example of not going at it alone in the Christian walk. We need to surround ourselves with people of faith. I have found myself faithless at times, but the faith of my loved ones has boosted me, encouraged me.
Also note Jesus said, man, you're sins are forgiven you. Jesus said this before healing him because this was a greater need. I heard some teachings on some of these biblical healings and why did Jesus say your sin is forgiven, then heal them...could it be a sin on their part contributed to their condition? LIke the man by the stirred waters, he said, 'go and sin no more'.
I had to pull out the big guns on this one, the Vernon McGee study Bible (aka, a Thru the BIble in 10 years Bible with commentary.. so vast, it takes 10 yrs! , i'll post a portion of it:
"There are many people who are not going to receive the message of salvation unless you lift a corner of their stretcher and carry them to a place where they can hear the Word of God. They are paralyzed--immobilized by sin and many other things the world holds for them. Some are paralyzed by prejudice and others by indifference. They are never going to hear Jesus say to them, "You're sins are forgiven" unless you take the corner of their stretcher and bring them to Him. All these incidences reveal the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ wants us to spread the gospel of Jesus to others."
---wow, thats convicting. I dont think this means drag people against their will, but tell them of Jesus, pray for them, encourage them, invite them to church, give them a Bible, whatever we can do to share with others.
The link at bible.org above was really good in explaining it further, haha. fred...didnt get that at first.
Posted by: Jenny | March 22, 2007 at 09:06 AM
Good Morning!
what a reading, I am moved. I am in the process this morning of praying for someone in particular, and so this reading in Luke really spoke to me. I even interupted my husband in his reading and read the commentary to him :).
Thank You Lord for Your perfect timing and telling me what I need to do.
Isn't God wonderful?
Posted by: Katie | March 22, 2007 at 09:07 AM
The cities of refuge as a picture of Jesus.
a. The Bible applies this picture of the city of refuge to the believer finding refuge in God on more than one occasion:
i. Psalm 46:1, says God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. More than 15 other times, the Psalms speak of God as being our refuge.
ii. Hebrews 6:18 says, That by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. We can flee to Jesus for refuge!
b. Both Jesus and the cities of refuge are within easy reach of the needy person; they were of no use unless someone could get to the place of refuge.
c. Both Jesus and the cities of refuge are open to all, not just the Israelite; no one needs to fear that they would be turned away from their place of refuge in their time of need.
d. Both Jesus and the cities of refuge became a place where the one in need would live; you didn’t come to a city of refuge in time of need just to look around.
e. Both Jesus and the cities of refuge are the only alternative for the one in need; without this specific protection, they will be destroyed.
f. Both Jesus and the cities of refuge provide protection only within their boundaries; to go outside meant death.
g. With both Jesus and the cities of refuge, full freedom comes with the death of the High Priest.
h. A crucial distinction: The cities of refuge only helped the innocent; the guilty can come to Jesus and find refuge.
http://www.enduringword.com/commentaries/0435.htm
Posted by: John | March 22, 2007 at 02:55 PM