February 23rd readings

~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Leviticus 14:1-57 ~ Mark 6:30-56
Psalm 40:1-10 ~ Proverbs 10:11-12

Old Testament - Today in Leviticus chapter 14 we read about cleansing from skin diseases and treatment of contaminated houses.   I found the treatment of the mildew in the houses quite fascinating - with verse 45 telling us about the ultimatum for a house if the mildew reappears - "It must be torn down, and all its stones, timbers, and plaster must be carried out of town to the place designated as ceremonially unclean."  This chapter again goes into the clean & the unclean.  If you didn't get chance to read the bible.org commentary on Clean & Unclean from Leviticus chapters 12 through 15, you may want to take a few minutes to read it at this link.  Also, a sermon from Peninsula Bible Church with some interesting points on Leviticus chapters 13 & 14 titled "Sick Garments and Diseased Houses" is at this link.   Verses 52 & 53 today - "After he has purified the house in this way, he will release the living bird in the open fields outside the town. In this way, the priest will make atonement for the house, and it will be ceremonially clean."

New Testament - Today we read in Mark Chapter 6 verse 46 -“Afterward he (Jesus) went up into the hills by himself to pray.” What a beautiful verse for each of us to meditate upon! Jesus went by himself to pray to God. It is interesting to note that this took place just after Jesus fed the 5,000. Jesus had been working hard – he is God and yet he still felt the call to pray to the Father. I think this verse is such a great reminder that you and I need to follow Jesus’ example in this verse. And we’re so not God! :) So, think about how much more crucial it is for us to pray. Jesus knew that God was his source of strength. His comfort. His wisdom. And prayer was the one sure fire way for Jesus to really connect and spend time with God. How is your prayer life these days? Are you finding a good amount of time each day to be by yourself and pray? If not, can you schedule this time into your calendar each day?  A stained glass image from today's readings about Jesus feeding the 5,000 -

Psalms - The U2 fans out there will know that the band released a song called "40" in 1983 inspired by Psalm 40.   The band took most of the lyrics for this song straight from the early verses of this Psalm - and I quote here from the song, not the Psalm per se - "I waited patiently for the Lord, He inclined and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit; Out of the miry clay.  He set my feet upon a rock; And made my footsteps firm. Many will see; Many will see and hear." The full lyrics from the song and some commentary are at this link.  The song also could have also been called "6" because the refrain is from Psalm 6 verse 3 - "How long, O LORD, how long?"  A quote from Bono on the song from the link above is this - ""'40' became the closing song at U2 shows and on hundreds of occasions, literally hundreds of thousands of people of every size and shape t-shirt have shouted back the refrain pinched from 'Psalm 6': 'How long to sing this song.' I thought of it as a nagging question - pulling at the hem of an invisible deity whose presence we glimpse only when we act in love. How long...hunger? How long...hatred? How long until creation grows up and the chaos of its precocious adolescence has been discarded? I thought it odd that the vocalising of such questions could bring such comfort; to me too.""   Has anyone heard U2 play "40" in concert before?  I did twice - once back on the Joshua Tree tour way back in 1987 and once last year on the Vertigo tour.  It's a beautiful song - written really by David!

Proverbs - Today we read in Proverbs chapter 10 verse 11 – “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life.” WOW! I love this Proverb on so many levels. The idea of a “fountain of life” is such a great metaphor! Because I think what comes out of our mouth is so much like a fountain – and we are hopefully pouring forth Living Water for others. However, I imagine that there are times when our fountain is not quite so clean and we’re pouring forth something else. I think what I find so meaningful about this verse is that I have really been convicted of how important and impactful our words are to others. Our words can really build people up – or tear people down if we are not careful. I don’t know about you, but I know there are times in my life when I can be negative with what I say. Then, there are times when I can be very positive and I feel like the enthusiasm is contagious to others. And these are the times when perhaps my words seem to be a bit more like a fountain of life. I say all of this to just encourage you to reflect on the words that come from your mouth. 

Comments from You & Question of the Day - Per Proverbs 10:11 above, are your words typically a fountain of life to others? Will you seek to improve in love what you say and how you say it to others around you so that your words truly will become a fountain of life to others?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

Grace,
Mike

Comments

[stef stevenson]

good morning!if you take all the desriptions of a Christian from the Bible and illustrate them you would end up with some pretty wonderful images....in Philippians 2:15 is one of my favourites..we can shine like stars in the universe holding out the word of life and now today we read our mouths can be a fountain of life( what a wonderful priviledge and responsibility )....i have learned that our words can be pretty powerful , you have the ability to build a person up, encourage them, love them and yet at the same time our words if not chosen wisely can hurt people and do damage..enough reason for us to think twice before we open our mouths and consider carefully what we say.As a Christian there is not only the onus on you to be responsible for what you say and do but i was taught by an older very mature Christian that we are responsible for the perceptions of others as well..i might know what im doing is fine and all above board but if a non Christian could view what we are doing and be offended or misconstrue it would be better not to do it in that manner, we are responsible to be at all times a living witness to Christ.What is it someone once said that we might be the only Bible a non Christian would ever read?( maybe i have the saying wrong but it reminds one of the importance of the appearance of our lives to outsiders and the way God could be using us if we are obeying Him.So lets pray that we will be able to go out today and show Gods love every time we open our mouths and in how we act towards others.

[Alex]

From the time between the completion of the Law of Moses (ie this stuff we're all working diligently through!!) and Jesus, there is no record of any Israelite being healed of leprosy. Miriam was healed before the Law was given and Naaman, who was also healed, was a Syrian Gentile and not a Jew.
So this section of the Bible sat there, unused, for around 1250 years. The rabbis were, of course, aware of this mystery, so by the time of the period between Old and New Testaments the belief had arisen that the ability to heal leprosy would be one of the hallmarks of the Messiah.
The amazing thing about Lev 14 is that God set it there, over 1,000 years in advance, as a ticking time bomb! When Jesus healed a leper so early in his ministry (Mark 1) and sent him to the priests, He was in effect sending the leaders a clear claim to be the Messiah. They then would have followed a clear process - 1, was this man really a leper? 2. had he been truly cleansed of the disease? 3. who had healed him?
That's why at the beginning of Mk 2 (the story of the paralysed man let down through the hole in the roof by his mates) there are so many leaders present [some might say typical, the clergy stop the rest of the people getting close to God ;) ]. This is a small rural town, yet it's packed out with the nation's religious leaders, all checking out Jesus' Messianic claims. And in that context Jesus takes them on a whole stage further with His dramatic declaration of the forgiveness of sins for the man (& then, almost casually, He heals him too!). So Lev 14 really is a key portion of the Bible!

[stef stevenson]

dear Luciano,
My heart goes out to you and your wife i wish one could package love and send it to you but we will pray that God will love and sustain you both ..youre walking powerfully for Jesus through this time and the influence of how you live and act can be the means to salvation for many people..i see Beryl often and she is a living witness for Jesus full of love and compassion for others and iv never heard one word of complaint coming from her lips..i pray that when its very hard you will all be comforted and supported by God.
love stef.

[Vance Brown]

I really liked much of the article suggested by Mike titled "Offending God: The Clean and the Unclean—Part II (Leviticus 12-15)

By: Bob Deffinbaugh , Th.M."

In particular, I liked these points:
A.
"...[t]he Israelites could not have sexual relations during the Sabbath, since this would cause both to be unclean, thus prohibiting their participation in worship. The effect was to encourage the Israelites to keep their minds devoted to worship. Ideally, both sexual intimacy and spiritual intimacy require the undistracted involvement of body, soul, and spirit..."
"One can see a similar theme in Paul’s practical instructions to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 7)."

B.
"The separation of sexual activity and worship was particularly important to the Israelites because of the pagan worship rituals of the Canaanites, whose fertility cult engaged in carnal sexual union as an act of worship (cf. Num. 25:1-9)..."
"If the clean/unclean legislation did no more than to create a wide gap between sex and worship it did the Israelites a great favor. It distinguished their worship from that of their pagan neighbors."

~~~

I really liked these points. In a sexually charged society such as ours, they certainly apply today.

MY CONCERN: The only concern I have is that it is possible for Christians to develop an idea that all sex is "unclean", and this can even affect sex within marriage that is good. I know of a couple who are struggle with this right now.

In this context, it is dishonoring and unloving to one's marriage partner to not have sex with him or her because of an "unclean" view of sex in general.

As we avoid sexual immorality, let us not unintentionally buy into the deception that all sex--including sex within marriage-- is also wrong. BELIEVE ME, once you are married, this can really become a real issue.

Note what the Holy Spirit says through Paul about marriage partners being bond-servants to one another in marriage within the context of sex in I Corinthians 7 (NKJV):

3
Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.
4
The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
5
Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6
But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment.
7
For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.

**********

I also liked these verses iin particular from Psalm 40 (NKJV)

6
Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; My ears You have opened. Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require.
7
Then I said, “Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me.
8
I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.”
9
I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness In the great assembly; Indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O LORD, You Yourself know.
10
I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth From the great assembly.

MY NOTE:
It strikes me initially as strange that the Holy Spirit would say this about God:
Sacrifice and offering You did not desire...Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require.

WHY THEN DID GOD REQUIRE THEM IN THE OT?
I have two thoughts on this:
1.
Sacrifices and offerings were not THE ORIGINAL INTENTION of God. He IS NOT ABOUT THAT.
2.
Sacrifices and offerings BECAME PART of the original plan because GOD LOVES YOU AND I AND WANTED TO REDEEM US.

It also becomes more clear to me when I realize that the OT sacrifices are only A PICTURE OF THE ONE TRUE NECESSARY OFFERING: that of the TRUE LAMB OF GOD WHO TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD THROUGH THE OFFERING OF HIMSELF (John 1:29).

Actually, the Holy Spirit shows us that these offerings not only refer to Christ as THE TRUE LAMB OF GOD, but also to God's intention for us as well: We are to offer ourselves a living sacrifices.

Note verses 7 and 8 from Psalm 40, and how they agree with and match Romans 12:1-2 very well:
a.
Then I said, “Behold, I come...
b.
I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.”

Vance

[Anka]

A thought struck me about Leprosy,it is a disease that attacks nerve ends so the portion that is affected doesn't feel anymore.In the body,because that part can't transmit pain signals it is more likely to become injured,even lost.In the body of Christ we should feel the pain of other body parts..that being said,I want to say to Luch+Rosetta,Marty+Carolyn,Kristie and Beryl that I thank God for your lives,for sharing with us your trials as you find strength in God and even though my prayer life isn't always great,I will continue to pray for God's love and comfort in your life.
God bless you all

[Anka]

"Then Jesus said, "Let's get away from the crowds for a while and rest." There were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn't even have time to eat." When he tried to get away to rest...the crowds found him...and he was filled with compassion.Dealing with people is pretty difficult most times..but instead of getting upset{when I'm hungry and tired...I find it hard to show love:( }he had compassion,ignored his own hunger and fed the crowd.
"It's all right," he said. "I am here! Don't be afraid." Wow,the words are so soothing.I'm going to meditate on that as rush off to my second job....
God bless you everyone

[Doug]

I am sure glad I found your web site. Last year I read the bible thru using the "Daily Bread" site. It is nice to recieve diffferent incite to my daily readings. Please pray for me, as I am recovering from a major auto accident. I was in a nursing home for 2 1/2 months and have been recovering at home for the last 2. The depression I get is overcome by my faith in the LORD. And daily reading of the Bible is a great start to my day.
God Bless!

[Vance Brown]

I am still thinking about one quote from the excellent article suggested by Mike titled "Offending God: The Clean and the Unclean—Part II (Leviticus 12-15)" By: Bob Deffinbaugh , Th.M.

Here is the quote:

"Ideally, both sexual intimacy and spiritual intimacy require the undistracted involvement of body, soul, and spirit..."

Setting myself aside from all distractions, to set time aside for solitude with the Lord, to gain a deep focus is one of the most difficult things for me to do.

In fact, it is probably THE most difficult thing.

I suspect that if I spent more time in solitude with the Father loving Him and listening to Him (as the Lord Jesus did), many issues that I now struggle with would be clarified.

And, I would be able to complete all necessary spiritual transactions required to do these two (2) things:
a.
completely cast my burdens on the Lord (SURRENDER)
b.
to receive and walk in THE SPIRIT OF LIFE THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS Who lives in me by GRACE (FILLED WITH SPIRIT)

~~~

Then, my clear focus on the Lord would give me the ability to be single minded and give myself 100% to the Lord.

As well, my clear focus on the Lord would
better enable me to be single minded on my lovely wife and give myself 100% to her in the way God wants.

~~~

I have read that Martin Luther, when he had an especially heavy day of duties, would say that he would have to prepare by praying several hours that day!

May we KNOW the Lord Jesus intimately, so He will NOT say to us: "Even though you did many things for Me and did them in My Name, I NEVER KNEW YOU." (Matthew 7)

Vance

[John]

Mark,

[short and sweet - a departure from my usual style :)]

Vs. 31 commentary by William Kelly
"It would be well for us if we needed thus to rest more; that is to say, if our labors were so abundant, our self-denying efforts for the blessing of others were so continual, that we could be sure that this was the Lord’s word for us."
MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. 1997, c1995. Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments . Thomas Nelson: Nashville

Vs 37
Jesus commands the impossible. He always does, and just like the LAW is impossible to uphold - Jesus will provide the solution.

vs 40
The disciples distributed. His plan is to feed the world through His people.

vs 43
Note twelve baskets. As if to say, 'I am the God that can (spiritually) feed all twelve tribes of Israel.' Remember this.

Walk on Water
Spiritual imagery is of Jesus intercessing for us in heaven, and we are struggling in sea of turmoil and life's problems. Then He comes to us. Does not mean we will not experiance troubles, but He will deliver us to heaven's shore at appropriate time (late at night = at end of our life?). Don't be afraid (of this event)!

Back in Decapolis
vs 53
What a change! The people just wanted Jesus to leave the last time He was there. Now they rushed to him from throughout the whole region. The formerly demonized man - Legion - did his job.

[well, maybe not so short :) did not have time to read Bible.org commetnary - so apologize for any duplication.]

[Ramona]

Leviticus 14:1-57

As I read through the 14th chapter several times, two things kept running through my mind. One was a memory of an event in November 2004 when my apartment walls had to be torn down because of “mold.” Yikes that was tough so I know what it is you have to do to get rid of “leprosy,” on the walls. It ain’t easy.

The second thing that floated through my head was the thought of, “the curse of the law.”

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us (because it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree") (Galatians 3:13 NET.)

Just reading everything that needed to be done once you were cured of “leprosy” is exhausting. Keeping the Law was a burden because sin is a burden. I am so glad Jesus told us,
Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30 KJVR)

While thinking about this I also realized there was a bigger blessing for one of the ten lepers Jesus cleansed, he turned back to worship and give thanks (Luke 17:12-19). Jesus had sent all ten to the Temple to show themselves to the priests and on the way, all ten were cleansed. Once at the Temple they would have had to participate in the expense and time of the ritual cleansing. This would have put their new beginning of living their lives on hold until the entire ceremony was completed provided they had the finances for bringing the offering for the poor.

The man who came back to worship was told to “go thy way,” where before they all were told to “go show thyself to the priest.”

And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
(Luke 17:12-19 KJV)

An attitude of gratitude does great wonders. All were cleansed but only one was freed.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

[John]

Psalm 40

vs 6
"He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand."

What a picture - of either a backsliding believer or a non-believer mired in sin. We have seen the imagery of the creeping spread of "sin" in skin disease, garments, mold in houses. The final permeation being as thourough and envelooping as a slimy pit of mud and mire. They made the cry, and were pulled out and set on the "rock".

(ls
Cela`
crag, cliff, rock crag, cliff as stronghold of Jehovah, of security (fig.)

Not just a rock, but an image of something much, much bigger.

I believe it is 57 times in the Old Testament rock, cornerstone, foundation is used. In every case, when analyzed it is referring to Jesus Christ.

No wonder Christ said,"...and on this rock I will build my church..."

A firm place to stand and be grounded upon, a firm place to build His church upon.