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
The Old Testament reading, Leviticus 20:22 - 22:16 adds a new section of clean and unclean laws, this time specifically focusing in on the priests. Because they enter the presence of God in the tabernacle, and offer the sacrifices, they especially are to keep themselves from becoming unclean. In fact, there are certain things they are forbidden to do (participate in preparing the dead for a funeral, for anyone other than close family, for example) because to do so would make them unclean.
A side note: If all these laws are getting to you, just know that you're almost done! You've nearly made it through the book of Leviticus. Way to go!
Mark 9:1-29 is our New Testament reading. It kicks off with the crescendo of Mark's gospel. Speaking to the disciples Jesus makes the radical claim that some of them are going to see the kingdom of God in its power, and then Mark shows us the transfiguration, this moment when the veil between our world and God's was pulled back and Jesus could be seen for who He really is. His glory was revealed, and two heavenly messengers - Moses and Elijah, appeared to vouch for His divinity. These two figures were especially important for the Jews. Moses--as we are reading in the Old Testament passages--was the one God used to shape the core culture of the Jewish people. They called him the "lawgiver." Elijah was one of the most powerful of the prophets. The end of both of their lives was shrouded in mystery. Elijah was taken up into heaven in a fiery chariot, and Moses died alone in the presence of God on Mount Nebo, and his body was never found. The disciples knew the stories of these two men, and now here they were standing in front of them, two of the greatest and most formative figures in the history of Judaism, testifying to the divinity of Jesus! But that wasn't the end - the very voice of God was heard affirming Jesus and His mission. With this moment of revelation complete, Mark leads us quickly toward Jerusalem and the passion.
Having come down the mountain, they saw the other disciples making a huge mess out of a healing that was brought to them. It's an interesting story, but the highlight of it for me is the interaction with the father and Jesus. The father asks if Jesus is able to help. Jesus replied that anything is possible, if he believes. The father replies, "I believe; help my unbelief." This is one of the most transparent, truthful, and God-honoring statements in scripture. A father throwing his whole faith into trusting Jesus, yet realizing that even that is beyond him. It's a very human moment and one I think we can all relate to. God calls us to have faith, and yet faith is a gift from God. God calls us to trust Him and step into a reality that is beyond and above us. We want to and yet we know we're not capable on our own. Can we humbly answer, with this father, that we believe and yet humbly beg God to strengthen our belief?
The Psalms reading today, Psalms 43:1-5, is really a coda, or refrain, of Psalms 42. You'll recognize some of the language, and even the last verse that is identical to the last verse of Psalms 42. In fact, in some of the ancient Hebrew manuscripts, before the chapter divisions were added, these two are written as a single song. So, that gives you a great opportunity to go back and read the whole thing through, Psalms 42 & 43, as a single piece. Let God encourage and comfort your soul, when you feel separated from Him.
Proverbs 10:18, today's Proverbs reading, is a simple reminder about honesty and truthfulness. One of the interesting features of the Proverbs is that it very rarely identifies the bad behavior it refers to as sin. Instead, it calls these things foolishness. Now, that is not to lighten the offense. Foolishness is not used here to mean some silly trivial mistake. No, quote the opposite. Proverbs is simply pointing out that any decision that leads away from God's path, must also lead to death. And to follow that path is, by definition, foolish.
2007 Cohort Comments
Comments (11)
Marc Schelske said
at 11:46 am on Feb 27, 2009
Good morning! I hope that the habit of spending daily time in scripture is taking greater hold in your life. If you're struggling - just keep coming back. If it's too much reading, then set yourself a time limit - say 15 minutes - and read whatever you can in that time. Then pop on here and check in. Don't feel obligated to read and respond to everyone's comments, or to post something profound. Just let us know you're still on track.
For me, the moving part of today's reading is the father's cry to Jesus, "I believe; help my unbelief." That could be the "life verse" for me. My life is this constant tension between faith and fear, between trust and the need to only trust myself. I believe in Jesus and who the scripture says He is, and yet I constantly see things in the world around me that shout out against that. Most days faith wins, some days it doesn't - but I am always very very aware that it is only by God's grace that I can even have faith at all. For that I am so thankful.
Rich Rawlins said
at 12:00 pm on Feb 27, 2009
Right on Marc. I love the reality of this guy. If we could all be so honest about our insecurities, wondering's and lack of faith, something I constantly struggle with.
There is a lot of other stuff running around in my mind today after reading the NT passage about the transfiguation. There is a lot packed into the report. First, and you will probably hate me for this, but this is another story that when I read it, it just doesn't seem all that "spiritual" or hocus pocus. God shows up in something that's reported as a bright cloud, some kind of transportation that it appears he's been traveling in for awhile now, and shines a really bright beam of light on Jesus. Even the brave Peter is really scared here. Having never seen any kind of light before other than the lightning kind, they describe the event as they did. When reading the OT I often get the feeling that Gods "glory" is just another way of explaining bright lights, loud sounds, excessive vibrations and tremors, anomalous movements and actions, etc. And basically, until the 20th century, there was no other way to explain these events in any kind of modern terms. I kind of feel like nobody ever updates their thinking about things, but instead just relies on old interpretations. Just my take on things.
It also kind of hit me today how stealthy things are in the NT compared to the OT. In the OT God showed up in a cloud to pretty much everyone, all booming, banging, flashing and such. In the NT, Jesus attempts to keep this event as well as some other things under wraps. Not sure what that's about, just an interesting thought. (continued...)
Rich Rawlins said
at 12:00 pm on Feb 27, 2009
Another thing that hit me today was the fact that Moses and Elijah seemed to be present. Not sure how they were recognized, so I find myself wondering if Jesus introduced them. Think for a second how freaky would that be. Being introduced to someone who had been gone for hundreds of years, and then to have them vanish right before your eyes. The fact that they were present though, does provide some unity between the OT and the NT, something that I have been questioning a little so far.
I also found myself wondering if Jesus had experienced this kind of thing before and if that might be the reason he was always heading to the mountain (hills for Jim) to pray. Whatever was going on really scared the others, but Jesus seemed pretty comfortable with the whole thing.
...rich
Rich Rawlins said
at 12:22 pm on Feb 27, 2009
Just a side note here. Is the formatting on anyone else's computer a little screwed up for this wiki? None of the photo's scroll with the text on mine making it a bit difficult to read comments. Any ideas how to correct that?
...rich
Jim Huddart said
at 1:02 pm on Feb 27, 2009
This is apparently unique to Internet Explorer. Several of us have had the same problem. Switching to another internet provider like Firefox or Google Chrome takes care of this particular problem. However, since I IE is so widely used, I would think the technical support for this wiki would be able to offer a fix. Maybe Marc could guide us to someone that can help?
Jim Huddart said
at 1:10 pm on Feb 27, 2009
I too was moved by the father's cry for help with his doubt. It's easy to say I believe, but not always so easy to actually put it into practice.
I am currently severely under the weather with a nasty bug and have been since Tuesday night. I have stayed current with the reading and everyone's comments, but just don't have enough brain power and energy to comment much myself.
Blessings to you all!
Jacqui Wheelhouse said
at 1:28 pm on Feb 27, 2009
I am right there with you Marc. That is one of my favorite prayers. I say it often because at times life's circumstances look so ominous and I can't see how things could be transformed or different. Yet God somehow has His way of showing up on the scene and moving hearts and lives. How crazy it must have been for the guys hanging out with Jesus. To see these miracles performed before their very eyes and walk with Jesus and share in the journey and still not get it. I am right there with them. I would love to say I am different but I'm not.
Jacqui Wheelhouse said
at 1:29 pm on Feb 27, 2009
Feel better Jim. Miss you!
Rich Rawlins said
at 5:41 pm on Feb 27, 2009
Hey buddy...
Sorry to hear you have the crud. Will pray for you after I add this reply. Drink and sleep!
...rich
Marc Schelske said
at 9:49 am on Mar 5, 2009
Hey Rich - on the formatting issue. I'm not sure why that happens. I haven't been able to duplicate it at the office, but a number of other folks have complained. I will second Jim's comment. IE is rapidly becoming the most non-compliant web browser out there. They depended on their monopoly status to shield them from having to re-work their base code, but it's just not working. I highly recommend downloading Firefox at www.mozilla.com. It is probably the most standards-compliant, universally compatible web browser at the moment, although Chrome, Google's entry, and Safari 4, Apple's entry are also good.
Jim - I hope you're feeling better!
Jacqui Wheelhouse said
at 9:52 am on Mar 5, 2009
Hey Rich....Listen to Marc. I just downloaded Firefox yesterday and feel like I have crossed over into the light! LOL My internet explorer was gumming up all sorts of things. Firefox ROCKS!
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