~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Leviticus 7:28-9:6 ~ Mark 3:31-4:25
Psalm 37:12-29 ~ Proverbs 10:5
Old Testament - I found Leviticus chapter 7 verse 36 to be powerful as we read about a portion of the offerings going to the priests: "The LORD commanded that the Israelites were to give these portions to the priests as their regular share from the time of the priests' anointing. This regulation applies throughout the generations to come." I think this is something for us to consider today - most of us realize that a portion of our tithes and offerings to our churches goes to support our pastors, priests, ministers, clergy. And I believe this is rightly so. These clergy are doing holy work in our churches today. And I know from first hand experience from my past that church ministry work is not easy work. Yes, oftentimes it is joyful work and the most amazing & fulfilling work you can imagine. But, other times it can be really tough work as you can find yourselves on the front lines of spiritual warfare and working with people at very low points in their lives. So - I guess I say all of this to encourage you to not begrudge your clergy in your church for getting paid for their work. Aaron and his sons were "paid" here in Leviticus - and I think it is still proper for clergy to be paid today. (and trust me - most clergy that I know do not get paid an exorbitant amount by a long shot... :) I guess, while I am on this subject, I am also a bit familiar with the house church model today - and I do believe there are some leaders in this movement that are probably not getting "paid" financially. And I think this is great if you can sustain the model. But, personally, I wouldn't fault house church leaders for receiving compensation either. It is holy work that our clergy do. I think fair compensation for this work is fair. What do you think?
Today in Leviticus chapter 8 we read about the Ordination of the Priests. Many of you will recall that we read something very similar to this chapter earlier this year in Exodus chapter 29 - click on this link to review Exodus 29. In verse 14 today we read: "Then Moses brought in the bull for the sin offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head."
Great commentary about Priesthood in the Old Testament is online at bible.org at this link.
New Testament - Mark chapter 3 verses 33-35 make an impact on me each time I read it: "Jesus replied, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" Then he looked at those around him and said, "These are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does God's will is my brother and sister and mother." This last sentence is a powerful proclamation from Jesus. If we are obedient to God's will in our life we are brothers and sisters and mothers of Jesus. Pretty amazing to think about! Jesus is not only our savior - but our brother. And later he calls us friends. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary puts it this way - "It is a great comfort to all true Christians, that they are dearer to Christ than mother, brother, or sister as such, merely as relations in the flesh would have been, even had they been holy. Blessed be God, this great and gracious privilege is ours even now; for though Christ's bodily presence cannot be enjoyed by us, his spiritual presence is not denied us."
Mark chapter 4's parable of the Farmer scattering seed is a parable that I am sure can convict each of us in various ways. Verses 16 through 18 I am afraid can sometimes represent all too well the "soil" of our hearts... "The rocky soil represents those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But like young plants in such soil, their roots don't go very deep. At first they get along fine, but they wilt as soon as they have problems or are persecuted because they believe the word. The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the Good News, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for nice things, so no crop is produced." The crowding out of the Good News by the cares of this life and the desire for nice things is where I am afraid we miss the mark too often. And when we succumb to theses cares & desires, indeed, no crop is produced. However - I do pray that there are moments in life where we can see the amazing power & truth in verse 20: "But the good soil represents those who hear and accept God's message and produce a huge harvest--thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted." I just pray for more consistency in our lives to live in verse 20 than in the previous verses... How is the soil of your heart? Which verses in this parable are you living in these days? Are you receiving God's Word into your heart? Will you allowing God's Word in your heart to produce a huge harvest?
Psalms - Psalm 37 verse 16 is powerful today - "It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and possess much." I don't know what I can add to this.... I think you probably get it. :) Do you live it? Verse 23 is so amazing... "The steps of the godly are directed by the LORD. He delights in every detail of their lives." I don't mean to infer that I am godly here... but, I will admit that there are times in my life where I really sense that God is directing my steps - and taking care of every detail. And basically, it feels like I am sort of just going with God's flow. Things are just happening beautifully. And I do sense the Spirit often during these times. My sadness in this area is that I don't realize that God is directing my steps all of the time. And that he is delighting in every detail of my life - most of the time... :) I pray you and I will come to a greater awareness of this in our lives each and every moment: "The steps of the godly are directed by the LORD. He delights in every detail of their lives."
Proverbs - Proverbs chapter 10 verse 5 - "A wise youth works hard all summer; a youth who sleeps away the hour of opportunity brings shame" - for some reason reminds me of Paul's writings in 2 Corinthians chapter 6 verse 2: "Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." Is the hour of opportunity upon you now? Will you stay awake for it? Is now the favorable time? Is now the day of salvation? Are you awake?
Comments from You & Question of the Day - I realize that my reflections above in the OT section on clergy at churches receiving compensation might be controversial in some ways. What are your thoughts on your clergy receiving compensation? What are your thoughts on others in other types of ministry receiving compensation? Where do we draw the line of when ministry should be done with compensation or without compensation? 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
I am praising God today for Jesus words in Mark 4:9-12, 34, 35 where He explains that disciples (including us!) do have the ability to hear and understand beyond what the crowd perceives. I am grateful that the Holy Spirit is counselor and guide and that He does open up God's word to those who choose to be Jesus disciples. Leviticus again reminds us of a Holy God. To approach Him we come the new and living way with sins forgiven by the blood of Jesus. After our initial salvation, we can press in and spend time with God and ask Him to explain that which we don't understand. The miracle of it all is that He will receive us and He will teach us everything that we need to know for life and Godliness. 1 Cor 2 goes into depth on the subject. May God bless you all with more knowledge and wisdom that you might know Him better and better each day.
Posted by: Stacey | February 18, 2007 at 09:11 PM
Well, here's my two cents on the clergy compensation issue. First, I think the differentiation between clergy and laity is false. The NT supports the notion that all in the church are ministers and, indeed, priests (Rev. 1:6). That being said, there is a difference between those in professional ministry and those in volunteer ministry. Professional ministers are paid so that they can devote time to ministry. The need for professional ministers differs by church and community culture. There seems to be no scriptural mandate for professional ministry, though various accounts of Paul and apostles/evangelists/missionaries receiving monetary assistance leaves room for it. So, while the teaching in Leviticus certainly supports the notion of paid clergy, we must be sure to compare apples and apples.
In the OT there is a clear priesthood. In the NT this is not the case; all are priests (and, yes, I realize this is a Protestant perspective, but I also believe it to be scriptural). So, local congregations, if they determine that professional ministers are needed for effective ministry in their communities, should then pay their ministers a living wage. Yes, there is abuse—both in underpaid and overpaid professional ministers (though underpaid is more common)—so congregations must use wisdom. If the congregation functions effectively without professional ministers, that is good. If the congregation functions most effectively with professional ministers, that is also good.
Posted by: Laura | February 18, 2007 at 09:12 PM
Mark
Parable of the Sower
[Is repeated basically the same as Matthew's version. But since the Holy Spirit inspired the writers to use some of the same key words - I am reposting 1/19/07 post from Matthew - in case some missed that post.]
The parable is fully explained, but I came across some interesting words.
1)The first seed fell on the "path" ("way side"KJV). In the Greek when this word "hodos" is used metaphorically it means - "a way (i.e. manner) of thinking, feeling, deciding.
So perhaps Jesus is saying that when one does not understand the message, it is because one is too locked into man's solution of spirituality - the way man has it figured out. Makes it easy for the "evil one" to come snatch away what "was sown in his heart". "This can't be right", "Not the way I understand it", "Interesting, but this can't be the "only truth", "good teacher, but the Son of God - come on", "Not what I was raised to believe", etc.
Evil one comes and reinforces - "You're right. This is garbage. You don't need this guy's help to get to heaven, Just someone else claiming to be the Messiah, you know better." - and voila the message is dismissed or "snatched away from the heart".
2) The seed that fell on rocky ("stony" KJV) places is interesting if you go back to the Greek roots. It might mean a person with a "firm outward appearance". They appear to receive Jesus' mesage with joy, but it is only expressed by outward appearance - there are no roots. When personal trouble or outward problems affect the believers he/she quickly falls away. i.e. They never believed - accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior. Their is no root - connection with Christ that is provided by the Holy Spirit.
3) The thorny ground? At it's Greek root can mean "the present time". So he/she hears the word, but is so preoccupied with the "world" and its daily problems (are not the ways of the world really just thorns that catch and grab at mankind?) That they just don't have time to even think about it. The Word (seed) just gets choked off by the near term issues, and there is no time for questioning and pondering the "long term". 'It will just take care of itself' type attitude.
4) The good soil. He/she hears AND understands. One has to turn to God, repent of our sins, and believe and receive in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. That person has deep roots in Christ and the Holy Spirit and will be productive in bearing fruit in the work and will of God.
Posted by: John | February 18, 2007 at 09:18 PM
Mark 3
Jesus' Mother and Brothers
Those that insist that brothers and sisters in the NT always refer to being "beleivers" of Christ's message - Bill O'Reilly of radio and TV come to mind - would have a hard time with Mark's account. The insistence is always that there is no family connection or implication in the NT in these types of passages.
Including "mother" in each of the four key phrases would preclude the above view. Clearly Christ is saying that those who do God's will (accept and receive Christ) are His (eternal) family.
So - mother being Mary, then brothers and sisters are family. To the closeness of those relations, whether actual brother and sister or cousins, etc. is beyond the scope of these passages.
Posted by: John | February 18, 2007 at 09:29 PM
Mark 4
A Lamp on a Stand
Is different context and meaning from Matthew 5. Mark inserts Jesus' illstration here on the heels of talking about the need for parables.
Here, the light is not meant to be hid - it should be brought out. Those that have ears (want to hear the Word of God), let them hear. Seek the meaning and they shall find - and can help illuminate the world.
Going into the symbol of a measure is perhaps a reference to Isaiah who used light and measure (harvest).
Isaiah 9:2-3, where the prophet uses these same two images to describe the intense joy Israel would experience when the light of Messiah came:
"The people who walk in darkness
Will see a great light;
Those who live in a dark land,
The light will shine on them.
You will multiply the nation,
You will increase their gladness;
They will be glad in your presence,
As with the gladness of harvest."
Those that seek will find and be given even more - those that do not, whatever they do understand will fall by the wayside.
May we all be seekers of the Truth, and pray constantly for God's revelation of His Word to us, His children.
Posted by: John | February 18, 2007 at 09:44 PM
CULTURE DIGEST: ‘Blasphemy Challenge’ lures kids to renounce Holy Spirit;...
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--A radical new website is gaining popularity by challenging people to deny the existence of God, and it’s run by an atheist who was raised Catholic and claims he “became a born-again Christian when he was 13.”
“I loved Jesus and he was my best friend and I talked to him and God all the time,” Brian Sapient said on ABC’s “Nightline” Jan. 30. “I have to admit that they never talked back to me, and I think some people would say that God does talk to them and I think they’re not being honest with themselves.”
Now a dejected Sapient is part of the “Rational Response Squad,” which is behind the website www.blasphemychallenge.com and promises to give away 1,001 copies of a DVD espousing their views.
http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=24966
Don't usually post news, but since this came up in recent Mark readings thought it was relevant.
The website exists and says what the article says it says - so I assume the attendant other facts are correct.
There is a respondant website that counters the website in the article - challengeblasphemy.com
Posted by: John | February 18, 2007 at 10:07 PM
My thought on this is that compensation is good in moderation. Paul took none, he prefered to work with his own hand doing secular things to maintain himself - tent making... But that was his personal choice, and he had no wife / children to support, we must remember. Some other apostles got some compensation, and again that was their choice. The scripture does say not to muzzle the mouth of the ox that treads out the corn, and "the labourer is worthy of his reward" - Deuteronomy 25, 1 Corinthians 9, and Timothy 5...
Fat cat pay is over the top for a christian worker though, I feel. If a minister has a really large organisation, I think he should still take only enough for his needs and plough the rest back into the ministry. If he had been doing some secular work which the Lord blessed to such a great extent, I am sure he would have given a lot to the work of the church anyway... But serving directly as God's servant, the Lord Himself is his reward, and his provider, and the one who brings the increase and blesses his own work... And He has also laid aside a huge retirement home for his servants in heaven - plus the best reward of all, being in God's presence and praising Him for all eternity! So should such a minister draw a huge salary? I don't think so...
Posted by: Oluremi | February 19, 2007 at 11:07 AM
The parable of the seed is in regards to the gospel of Jesus to unbelievers hearing the word. All true believers are those who had good soil, but it is up to us to cultivate and continue to grow in the Lord and bear fruit.
I want to share what my study bible says:
The “word” as referred to in v 14 is the salvation gospel. The responses:
"v 16. Receives it with gladness. An enthusiastic, emotional, yet superficial response to the gospel that does not take into account the cost involved.
v.17 No root. Because the person’s heart is hard like stony ground, the gospel never takes root in the individual’s soul and never transforms his life- there is only a temporary, surface change.
Tribulation and persecution. Not the routine difficulties and troubles with life, but specifically the suffering, trials, and persecutions which result form one’s association with God’s word.
Quickly fall away (or stumble): the superficial believer is offended, stumbles, and falls away when his faith is put to the test.
v.19 Cares of this world. A preoccupation with the temporary issues of this present age blinds a person to any serious consideration of the gospel.
v. 20 Hear…accept…produce a crop (bear fruit). Three present particles mark continuing action. Believers, in contrast to unbelievers, hear God’s word because God allows him to hear it. They “accept” it—they understand and obey because god opens their mind and heart and transforms their lives. The result is that they will produce spiritual fruit."
Tomorrow we will read about the growing seed (in believers) which my study Bible says about vs. 26-29: this parable is recorded only by Mark and complements the parable of the sower by explaining in more depth the results of spiritual growth accomplished in good soil.
In Psalms, I’m just meditating on what promises to His followers:
“but the LORD upholds the righteous. The days of the blameless are known to the LORD, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither”
“For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever”
I simply LOVE these vs.:
23 If the LORD delights in a man's way,
he makes his steps firm; . ----------> amen!
24 though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand. ----> sooo true!
25 I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken”
verse 25 often comes to my mind. I think God puts it on my heart when I’m worried, like He’s saying, be still and just rest in Me, I will take care of you. I have told you, as my child, I will never forsake you!
Also, since I am getting older, tho not old, I am seeing more n more. I am seeing people who have lived Godly reaping the fruit. I’m seeing the ungodly yielding bad fruit or reaping the consequences, n its heart breaking really.
Um, I’m not gonna get too deep into what I think should be done concerning compensating pastors because I don’t feel that’s my business, I give to the Lord. Of course the funds should be given to ministry work, missionaries, getting the word out. I go to a church where I fully trust them. My pastor is the shepard of my church and he feeds me. A good church isn’t even gonna ask ppl to give, but God will put that desire in their hearts.
Of course I’m against any type of fraud, playing on ppl’s emotions to get money like some of those phony televangelists who beg for money, use the money to get themselves multiple houses n fancy cars, etc. Those men are in God’s hands n woe to those who use God’s name in a way to manipulate ppl n steal from them! But a joyful giver will be blessed by God no matter what. God looks at our heart, that is my responsibility.
Posted by: Jenny | February 19, 2007 at 11:07 AM
Exodus
The need for a priest?????
So far needs of man have been listed - need for Acceptance/Love (by God), Joy, Peace, Forgiveness and Restoration.
Are the needs over? Do we need a priest?
Do we need someone chosen by God, anointed by the Holy Spirit, clothed in righteousness, one who can go to God for us, one we can hold up as a mirror and see our lacking nature, etc.?
In the OT - God is saying - 'Yes, you need that'. Of course later on it all got corrupted and messed up. But in its original intent the priesthood provided a place and person to go to - that would help a person align or re-align their lives with God - through going to God for us, Godly advice and the previous listed sacrifices.
Do we have that today? Certainly Jesus is our High Priest. Not only does Jesus fill all the requirements listed above, but He is Righteousness. I posted before that God is a God of great details,and I believe that the seven days between appaearances to the disciples (w/out Thomas and with Thomas) were the period Jesus spent before God being consecrated as our High Priest - just as Aaron did in the OT in the Tent.
On top of that "we" as "believers" are part of the priesthood.
1Peter2:4-5
"As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." NIV
1Peter2:9
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." NIV
We also fulfill all the requirements of priesthood listed above. We offer spiritual sacrifices and sing God's praise (or we should be:), and when we are obediant and living through Christ - we are that mirror where people see themselves as different from us - who then want what we have.
Posted by: John | February 19, 2007 at 11:23 AM
Verses that stood out for me today:
Leviticus 9:6 "And Moses said, “This is what the Lord has commanded you to do so that the glory of the Lord may appear to you".
Mark 4:24 "Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given —and you will receive even more".
Psalm 37:16 "It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich".
Psalm 37:18 "For the strength of the wicked will be shattered, but the Lord takes care of the godly".
Proverbs 10:5 "A wise youth harvests in the summer, but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace".
Reading Psalms gave me the chills, I love Psalms so much!!!! I love the points that are made in Psalms. It's all so true and has such wonderful messages that make you think, make you wonder and make your heart warm.
Posted by: Mae | February 19, 2007 at 03:15 PM
The discussion on paying clergy made me think more about the readings a week ago regarding the tabernacle. The OYB daily companion says that the value of the gold used to build the tabernacle was around $10M in today's dollars. Being a natural tight-wad, this struck me as ridiculous. Can you imagine if your church wanted to raise $10M to build a statue or a cross? While this isn't truly analagous, it's more a just thought-provoking question for me.
What I take from this is Yes, it's OK (in fact it's good) to be extravagant on things that really matter. I need to spend money to create traditions, rituals and heirlooms that can have a lasting impact on my family, friends and fellow saints. I'm reminded of my wedding last year that cost a fortune... and was worth every penny.
Posted by: Phil | February 22, 2007 at 05:37 AM