Daily Reading Passages
Click below for access to the passages. Biblegateway.com is an excellent site with many versions of the Bible. The link below opens in NIV. Youversion.com is a new site that allows you to annotate your own Bible, make notes, and comments once you create an account. That link opens in the TNIV version. Other versions are available at both sites.
Coaching Comments
Today's Old Testament reading, is Leviticus 7:28 - 9:6. Here we see the lengthy (and sacrifice intensive) ceremony of anointing and ordaining the first priests to their ministry. It was Aaron and his sons. It's encouraging to me to remember that just a little while before this Aaron had blown it huge. He was the one who crafted the golden calf for the people, and then when confronted about it, lied. In a lot of communities I think we would say he was unfit for ministry or leadership. And yet, just a little while later - possibly a month or less - God sets Aaron apart as the chief priest to minister to the people.
One side note here. In this passage see the instructions for the priests to eat some of the meat from the sacrifices. This is one of the ways that the priests made their living, since it was their full-time job while in the Tabernacle to serve as priests.
The New Testament reading, Mark 3:31 - 4:25, shows Jesus teaching. Mark doesn't focus quite as much on Jesus' extended teaching as Matthew and John, and usually the parts he does show are shorter. This is one of the longest teaching passages in Mark.
First, we see Jesus teaching in a home. His family comes and asks to see Him. Jesus gives a strange response that for some people comes off a little disrespectful of his family. But it's important to remember the culture to see what Jesus is teaching. The Jews at this time placed bloodline above everything, even spiritually. Being a descendant of Abraham was the required credential for being approved of by God, they believed. But Jesus is telling them that there is something even more important than bloodline, in God's eyes. Obedience.
Following that, we get both the parable of the Sower and Jesus' interpretation of the parable just for the disciples. The explanation of the parable is clear, since Jesus gives it. The interesting part of this episode is Jesus' explanation of His use of parables. Today we work so hard to be clear and compelling in our preaching or witnessing. We try to leave nothing vague or uncertain. And yet, Jesus, the one we're supposed to be emulating, didn't seem all that concerned about being overly clear. In fact, He tells the disciples that He speaks in parables for the very reason that some people won't understand. At first glance that doesn't seem to line up with what we understand about God. Why would God want some people not to understand? I think it comes down to Jesus' understanding that some people were in a place where they were ready to hear the truth and respond to it. Those people would "get" the parables. But other people weren't in that place. For them the parables would seem like strange, but innocuous spiritual stories. By choosing to teach this way, Jesus himself was depending on the Holy Spirit to be the one who convicted people of truth. Now, that is a powerful reminder and corrective for me.
Now, don't take this to mean that Jesus was hiding things, or wanting the truth to be kept secret. On the contrary, as the next parable shows. Jesus just knew that for the truth to have a transformative role, it requires an open heart. The next parable shows that Jesus was definitely all for bringing these things out into the open. In fact, it is our responsibility to do so.
The Psalms reading for today is the 2nd installment of the 37th Psalm. (Psalms 37:12-29) It continues the theme from yesterday. There are a couple of great biblical promises in here. Verses 18-19 gives us great encouragement that we are known to God, and even when it seems like we're being taken advantage of now, our inheritance is being kept for us. Verses 23-24 is a great promise about God supporting us and keeping us from falling. Both of those are underline-ers.
Only one Proverb today, Proverbs 10:5. This ties in with the comments about laziness yesterday. There are times when hard work is required. The ones who get out there and do it are wise. The others, the ones who skip out on the work, are disgraceful.
2007 Cohort Comments
Comments (8)
LuDell Parrett said
at 12:48 pm on Feb 19, 2009
I have been reading the O.T. and listening to the chapters on CD but I have not had time to keep up with the wiki comments.
We just moved off the living room floor and back into our bedroom last night. The reconstruction from all the damage to our house (from 100 foot tree that fell on our house before Christmas) if finally completed. I am in the throws of trying to clean everything up and get things where they belong. Sorry I have not been "part" of the conversations as of late.
The details in Leviticus are somewhat overwhelming and do seem rather laborious. However it's been fun to imagine the Sanctuary and picture entering it and the awe that must have enveloped one when inside.
Blessing!
Jacqui Wheelhouse said
at 12:56 pm on Feb 19, 2009
I was thinking about the sanctuary today to! I was researching images for a project and found the temple and photos of it's original designs, photos of present day at the wailing wall etc. Something inside of me jolted when I pondered the wailing wall and it's historical and biblical meaning. It was a moment where my spirit yearned to be close to it and touch it. To know that Jesus spoke there and stood in that place. Something was drawing me and the word sanctuary was floating around in my heart. Although I am not in Jerusalem and leaning on the wailing wall, my spirit groans for life to be like it was designed to be originally. To be in communion and conversation with the Lord daily. To walk with Him in gardens and sing songs of love to Him. To feel His arms wrapped around me in an embrace and to know the fullness of His love and rest in it completely. To laugh with him and run and play.
Sanctuary, it's not only a Holy and sacred place we visit, it is Him. He is my sanctuary. No matter where I am, He is near. I don't have to travel thousands of miles to touch Him. He is right here, right now.
Nate Burton said
at 1:21 pm on Feb 19, 2009
Good stuff Jacqui. LuDell, I had no idea! That sounds like a real mess and hassle. Glad to hear that things are getting back to normal. I'm familiar with only having half a house, so I know how disrupting to life that is.
I was just thinking before reading Marc's comment about Aaron that it is really amazing how God picked Moses while tending sheep somewhere out in the desert, and turned him into a chosen leader. He had faults, doubts, and past sins. He did not marry a Jew, and pretty much seemed like a regular guy. It's so crazy that he would not only lead his people out of Egypt, but he's also one of the few Bible characters to stand in the presence of God Himself and did so probably more than anyone. The priests that came after Him were only allowed to do so once a year, but here's Moses just being there next to God while He wrote down laws on stone. This is a pretty amazing picture to me, because I can't visualize this happening to anyone I know, especially not myself. I don't know if it was just obedience or faithfulness on Moses' part or what, but there must have been something about Moses' heart that made God choose him. Not sure what to make of this idea, or of God making Aaron and his sons priests, but it does show that God is merciful and full of forgiveness. This idea still seems hard for me to see through all the crazy stuff that happened and all that was required in the O.T., but I'm pretty sure it's there. Love to hear more thoughts about this.
Jim Huddart said
at 2:25 pm on Feb 19, 2009
Jesus said "Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given —and you will receive even more. 25 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them." NLT
To me that is very clear instruction to pray diligently for discernment and study the Word daily while listening carefully what God has to say to me each day. If I do that, new and better understanding will come. If I don't, eventually even the understanding I already have will fade away. I want to listen carefully and this forum is a great help. Thanks to God for using all of you to keep me growing.
Jacqui Wheelhouse said
at 2:42 pm on Feb 19, 2009
Thanks Jim. I feel the same. :)
Brittany Ouchida-Walsh said
at 4:25 pm on Feb 19, 2009
hello! no comment today.
cheers,
b
Marc Schelske said
at 7:47 am on Feb 20, 2009
So nice to see you, LuDell. I know you must just be up to your ears trying to get your household sorted out. Man - what a complicated situation. Thanks for letting us know what's going on. Hope to see you again soon.
Marc Schelske said
at 7:53 am on Feb 20, 2009
Hey Nate - Here's something to consider. Maybe God picked Moses just because He wanted to. I don't discount your suggestion that there was something in Moses' heart that God liked. But that line of thinking can take us down the path that we must qualify for God to want to use us, and maybe that's not exactly right. Maybe it's more about God's sovereignty, mercy and grace?
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