Ecclesiastes 8.1-17, John 9.1-23 - Lectionary for 5/31/10

Today's readings are Ecclesiastes 8.1-17 and John 9.1-23.

In today's reading we are confronted with our Lord's sovereign grace.  We do not understand God's commands, the way he has brought his commands into this world through people and circumstances, or the way that good and evil happens in this world.  We don't understand the way God saves people by grace through faith (Ecclesiastes 8.12-13).  Deep down we prefer the idea of salvation by works.  But that isn't what our Lord has given us.

In the final analysis we are left with nothing to do but to trust our Lord to use the means he chooses to use as he accomplishes his will.  Does he give us the foolishness of preaching?  Then that is what we have.  Does he say to repent and be baptized in order to be saved?  This is God's command.  Does he tell his disciples to baptize and teach all nations?  That's our duty.  Does he say he is with us always even though we can't see him?  Then he is with us always.  It is vanity for us to decide we know better.  It is vanity for us to say we fully understand.  No, we don't understand, but we do believe.  Let God be true and every man a liar!

Numbers 35.9-30, Luke 24.28-53 - Lectionary for 5/30/10 - Trinity Sunday

Today's readings are Numbers 35.9-30 and Luke 24.28-53.

This is the last of the readings in the lectionary based on position relative to Ash Wednesday.  From here until Ash Wednesday 2011 the readings are based on calendar dates.

In our passage from Numbers today we see God appointing the cities of refuge for those who have committed crimes and need to escape punishment.  Though the people who flee to the city of refuge are not free to leave without peril, as long as the high priest lives, they are safe from harm, having been accepted into the city of refuge.

I'm reminded today that Jesus, our risen and ascended Lord, is the high priest and that the Church is that city of refuge to which penitent sinners flee.  How long are we protected?  As long as we remain under the care of the Church in our penitence and as long as our High Priest lives. The good news?  Jesus has built the Church upon Himself, He is the eternal high priest, and nothing can come against the Church He has established.

I think that's quite enough to reflect upon this day.

Numbers 32.1-6, 16-27, Luke 24.1-27 - Lectionary for 5/29/10 - Saturday after Pentecost

Today's readings are Numbers 32.1-6, 16-27 and Luke 24.1-27.

The people of Gad are easy to misunderstand.  In today's reading we see that they request an alternative inheritance, not the promise the Lord has made within Canaan. Their request initially seems like foolishness, cowardice.  But this is not the case at all. They see that the land where they are is suitable.  It fits their purposes.  Because of their livestock they are best off in an area with wide open spaces.  They are not departing from their loyalty to Israel.  On the contrary, they wish to set up their cities and homes, then go to fight for Israel's entrance into the land of promise, not returning to their homes and comfort until all which has been said is done.

Likewise in our New Testament reading today we see someone who has gone to settle in a far away place butis fighting for his people who are in battle  as they enter their promise.  Jesus who has triumphed over sin and death continues to work in this world which is full of sin.  He knows the battle is not done for us.  And even when he sits down to rest at the right hand of the Father in heaven he will continue working on our behalf.

Numbers 27.12-23, Luke 23.26-56 - Lectionary for 5/28/10 - Friday after Pentecost

Today's readings are Numbers 27.12-23 and Luke 23.26-56.

We read today about Moses' commissioning of Joshua.  We recall that Moses is aware he is to die for his sin rather than enter the promised land.  He has continued to lead God's people, yet he will ultimately not receive the promise toward which he is leading them.  To avoid any confusion, God has Moses appoint his successor publicly, clearly, charging him in what he should do and to whom he should turn for help and counsel.  Our Lord is not the God of confusion, as some would have him be.  Likewise, see how clear it is that Joshua is not going to take on priestly authority.  In fact, he is not going to take on all the authority of Moses.  This is not a kingdom that our Lord is setting up.  It is a theocracy.  God intends to rule his people, using some of his people to provide guidance for others.

Likewise in this age of the Church, we see that our Lord has given us his Word to direct us, the Holy Spirit to convict us, point us to Christ, and exhort us in every way, and then has appointed Christian leaders to serve as his hands in our society.  They are not self-appointed but are appointed or often recognized by other believers.  They do not emerge from some secret mystical cocoon, but they are publicly recognized and held accountable publicly.  Our God is a God of order, not chaos.

Let us rejoice in his care for us, ordering our affairs with his love, not leaving us abandoned but caring for us in every way.

Numbers 24.1-25, Luke 23.1-25 - Lectionary for 5/27/10 - Thursday after Pentecost

Today's readings are Numbers 24.1-25 and Luke 23.1-25.

As we read the end of the narrative of Balaam, we are reminded once again of the majesty of our Lord.  He has appointed his people for blessing, not for cursing.  He has gathered them for his purposes.  Who are we to stand against the purposes of the Lord?  And likewise, as God's people, redeemed in Christ, we realize our Lord has appointed us to receive his blessing and comfort.  Who will stand between God and us to thwart that plan of our Lord?  Nobody is able to do so.

There's a very strong tie-in between this concept and our New Testament reading today.  How does the Lord put his blessing on us?  It is by taking the curse of our unbelief upon himself in the person of God the Son, Jesus.  The one who bears no guilt becomes all our guilt and sin.  He releases us who are insurrectionists and murderers.  

May the Lord grant that we may look upon him and both see and proclaim his blessing faithfully.

Numbers 23.4-28, Luke 22.47-71 - Lectionary for 5/26/10 - Wednesday after Pentecost

Today's readings are Numbers 23.4-28 and Luke 22.47-71.

I remember a conversation with someone several years ago.  He wanted to know what my opinion was concerning how a local church should order its affairs.  Actually, he wanted me to agree with him that our church should have "contemporary" music, a praise band, a youth group, and other organizational elements typical in the church growth movement.  This brother introduced his comments with a statement to the effect that "the church is dying."  I think my response startled this man.  I agreed with him wholeheartedly that the church was dying and that it had been dying since at least the mid nineteenth century (over a hundred years before our local church was founded) when Christians in this country started proclaiming a self-mediated Christianity, a religion which strikes me as being profoundly man-centered rather than God-centered.  Thus, I told him, if we wanted to show ourselves to the community as a life-changing relevant fellowship we should self-consciously avoid all the bells and whistles he was looking for.  We should rather be radically distinctive in our dedication to and proclamation of God's all-sufficient Word, Jesus Christ, who cut through all of our silly felt needs and died at the hands of sinful man to resolve our real problem, sin.

What does this have to do with our reading in Numbers today?  See what Balaam, the pagan who is visited by God, says and does.  When confronted by the Lord he has no recourse except to proclaim what is good and right, the blessing of God upon His people.  Likewise, even we who are driven and tossed by our culture, hearing all sorts of messages about what is relevant, what is the best business model for our church to follow, what will really reach people for Christ and bring them into a vital relationship with their personal Lord, even we, in a moment of obedience, may just manage to proclaim the Word of God in all its power.  May the Lord use us to bring the words of life, the words of healing and redemption, the words of forgiveness to those around us.  May we say what our Lord has told us, not what we were enticed to do by those in our world.

Numbers 22.21-23.3, Luke 22.24-46 - Lectionary for 5/25/10 - Tuesday after Pentecost

Today's readings are Numbers 22.21-23.3 and Luke 22.24-46.

The tension in the story of Balaam continues to build.  Today Balaam has been tempted by the riches brought to him.  He capitulates, at least in part, and decides he can, in fact, go to the Moabites and see what he will say.  He still says he will only say what the Lord tells him.  Yet there seems to be some doubt.  Notice that Balaam has blinded himself to the appearance of the Lord.  His donkey sees the Lord's angel ready to kill him.  Yet Balaam himself does not see this vision until after the Lord opens his eyes.  The Lord then uses Balaam's donkey to rebuke him.  Balaam, moved to repentance, says he will not go.  But the Lord sends him to speak to the king of Moab, but only to say what the Lord will tell him.

As we think about our relationship to this passage we see that we also blind ourselves to the truth.  We decide to do things our own way and to do it claiming the name and authority of our Lord.  We do it in little ways every day.  Sometimes people do it in bigger ways (may the Lord protect us from ourselves).  Yet whether it is a little thing or a big thing, our sin is the same.  We assume the Lord put us in the situation we are in so we use that situation to gratify our sinful desires.    In every instance it is offensive to the Lord and it reflects badly on him and on us in our society.

Lord, protect us from ourselves.  Keep us faithful to you and your callings. 

Numbers 22.1-20, Luke 22.1-23 - Lectionary for 5/24/10 - Monday after Pentecost

Today's readings are Numbers 22.1-20 and Luke 22.1-23.

Balaam is a difficult character to deal with.  We see him as a prophet of some sort.  He has some sort of relationship with God, but he is not a prophet of Israel.  The author of Numbers clearly presents Balaam as hearing from God, quite directly.  He is also, at least at this point, presented as someone who has a genuine interest in obedience to the true God.  He would refuse a whole palace full of gold rather than go against what the Lord says.

For the moment, though it is an incomplete picture, I'd like to compare Balaam to the rest of us.  When asked a question he has a firm resolve to do what is right.  I think this is like most Christians.  We are confronted with a question and, at least as long as we are in the comfort and safety of our home environment, we will affirm what is right.  When I sit in my office, at my desk, comfortable, well fed, well rested, and not in any apparent danger I am ready to endure all sorts of threats and privations for the sake of the Gospel.  I expect almost all believers are.  But what will we do when we are put to the test?  I don't know.  I can't speak definitively for myself or for anyone else.  

We will see later that Balaam will ultimately sin against God in the way he deals with the Moabites.  But that is not for today.  For today, we leave him holding firm to the Lord's calling.

Lord, may we so hold firm to your calling that we become accustomed to a life of faithfulness to you.

Numbers 21.10-35, Luke 21.20-38 - Lectionary for 5/23/10 - Pentecost Sunday

Today's readings are Numbers 21.10-35 and Luke 21.20-38.

In Numbers today we read about the Lord gathering his people, consolidating their power, and beginning to defeat the enemies of both God and his people.  On this day of Pentecost we do well to think about the way the Lord has taken his people where they have been scattered and mobilizes them to proclaim his kingdom on earth, wherever he brings us.  Even we evil people, as evil as the faithless Israelites, are used by our Lord as his hands, reaching into our surroundings, bringing his justice, his righteousness, and the message of reconciliation.  For in his death on the cross, in his victory over death and the grave, in his resurrection, in his pouring out of the Holy Spirit, he has surely broken down the wall of separation which our sins have erected between man and God.  God's righteous wrath against sin has been poured out on Jesus and is remembered no more.  Thus has our Lord broken down the wall of separation which our sins have erected between God and man.  Now we work, carrying his word with us, loving our neighbors, even if that love for our neighbors involves condemning those who would bring destruction on this world.

Let us look to our Lord, who has brought us together to serve him in every nation.

Numbers 20.22-21.9, Luke 20.45-21.19 - Lectionary for 5/22/10 - Saturday, Easter 7

Today's readings are Numbers 20.22-21.9 and Luke 20.45-21.19.

As we read in Numbers today we remember the sin that Aaron and Moses committed against God's command at Meribah.  Though the Lord sent them on about the work he had appointed to them he did not forget their sin.  Aaron, at the end of his life, was stripped of his priesthood, his office, and his opportunity to enter the promised land.  We see in this incident, and in the incident from Numbers 21.4-9, that the Lord does in fact bring justice against sin.  Those who doubt and despise his commands will perish.

In the plague of the serpents, see how the Lord both administers justice and mercy.  He has one like the deadly one raised up for everyone to see.  Yet looking upon this serpent brings life.  Rather than biting and bringing death, this serpent who is lifted up brings life. How does it accomplish this?  Not by any apparent activity, but by the belief of the person who trusts God's word.  Our Lord has said that to look upon this deadly creature lifted up in public people will live.  So they do.  This is not by any power or righteousness of their own, but only by God's word and promise.

Likewise we see in the New Testament that Christ, lifted up for us, raised up on a pole, the one like us except in our sin, the one who has become sin for us, this Jesus brings life.  He does not bring life because of our righteousness.  It is due to no good work on our behalf, but due to his becoming sin, becoming death, for us.  How do we receive this?  We receive it just like the Israelites did.  We receive life by believing that what God has said about the Son is true.  We receive life by trusting that Jesus gives us life.  

Thanks be to our Lord, who has taken the sin of the world on himself and has himself been raised up in death on our behalf, so we may look upon him and live.

Numbers 20.1-21, Luke 20.19-44 - Lectionary for 5/21/10 - Friday, Easter 7

Today's readings are Numbers 20.1-21 and Luke 20.19-44.

In our Numbers reading today we see the people of Israel complaining - again!  God's people are full of doubts.  They don't have a steadfast confidence that their Lord is going to supply all their needs.  There's this nagging thought that they have been brought out into the wilderness so as to die.  It doesn't matter to them that God has proven himself again and again.  It doesn't matter to them that the Lord has given his promises in the past.  It doesn't matter to them that the Lord has shown an ability to provide for their physical needs again and again.  The people still doubt.  I can imagine this seems familiar.  God's people are doubting to this very day.  We doubt our Lord's good will toward us.  We doubt his ability to care for us into eternity.  Even more so, we doubt his ability to provide our daily needs.  We doubt his wisdom in calling us to the tasks he has given us.  We doubt his word where he says he will be with us.  We doubt his concern for our communities as we try to find a new and different message to bring to our culture.  We're a huge bundle of doubts.

Let's cap that rehearsal of sin off with what Moses does.  He has the audacity to as if he needed to supply water, then he beats on the rock to which the Lord had told him to speak.  Here's a serious grab for authority.

It's time now to look at God's very serious lovingkindness.  See how he not only keeps Moses working for him and serving him until the time he is ready to take the people into Canaan, but he also provides the water the nation needs.  Despite all the sin which has been raised up before him, our Lord still cares for his people.  He has pity on us.  He provides what we need.  How much greater a gift is that provision when it comes from the God whom we have just insulted and offended!  What wonderful mercy we find in our Lord.

Lord, we pray you would grant us repentance of all the times we have sinned against you.  Show us the forgiveness you have provided, like the water which was overabundant for your people, your forgiveness overflows, exceeding the weight of our sin.  Let us rejoice in your forgiveness.  Grant us a changed heart that we may be grieved by our sin and ever seek the forgiveness you grant.

Numbers 16.41-17.13, Luke 20.1-18 - Lectionary for 5/20/10 - Thursday, Easter 7

Today's readings are Numbers 16.41-17.13 and Luke 20.1-18.

"Are we all to perish?" (Numbers 17.13b, ESV).  When we see the power of the Lord as the people of Israel did in Numbers 16 and 17 we also should be moved to ask this question.  The fire of God's wrath burns against unbelief.  He rages against those who despise him, who do not believe his commands are true, who do not acknowledge his mighty power, even those who look down upon those he has appointed.  Yet we realize we are doubters.  Every last one of us enters into unbelief.  We don't really accept the Lord's rulership of all.  We reject him, like the wicked tenants in Luke 20.  So are we all to perish?  Fact is, the answer to that question is that we are.  We do not have the wherewithal to live of our own accord.  We all need atonement to be made for us.

Unlike the people of Israel who perished before Aaron was able to make atonement for their sin of unbelief, we find that our Lord has himself died in our place, that he has made atonement for us, once for all time, giving himself into death so we could live.  So it is not that we are able to live, but that he has lived and died for us.  We see this clearly in Jesus' statements in Luke 20.18.  He himself, the rejected one, is the one who is ultimately invulnerable.

This is a profound mystery.  Yes, we are all to perish.  Yes, we become immortal through the death of the immortal one who perishes in our place.  Rejoice!  Full atonement has been made on your behalf!

Numbers 16.23-40, Luke 19.29-48 - Lectionary for 5/19/10 - Wednesday, Easter 7

Today's readings are Numbers 16.23-40 and Luke 19.29-48.

In our reading from Numbers today we see that God's anger is a consuming fire.  He does not accept substitutes.  He does demand that his people take him at his word.  All too often we decide to go our own way.  We decide what would seem like a good idea, what might enable our church to reach out in a more meaningful way to the community, what would enable people within the church in their ministry, what seems to be a culturally conditioned mandate as opposed to something the Lord has said will not change.  We need to approach these ideas with great caution.  Our Lord distinguishes ever so clearly between what he has ordained and what he has not ordained.  He can take sin and make it a sign to everyone.  He can and does destroy both the sin and sinner in hell.

May the Lord grant that we who trust in Jesus should realize again and again that our Lord and Savior has borne he penalty for our sin.  May his goodness ever move us to repentance for the times when we have thought we knew better than he does.  May we seek his face with repentance, rejoicing in his forgiveness.  May we be those who trust him, who accept his finished work of atonement on our behalf to be just that - complete, finished, and on our behalf.  May we ever remember that our Lord is a consuming fire.

Numbers 16.1-22, Luke 19.11-28 - Lectionary for 5/18/10 - Tuesday, Easter 7

Today's readings are Numbers 16.1-22 and Luke 19.11-28.

There are two issues that I think are of primary importance in our reading from Numbers today.  First, we see that the Lord has made a distinction between different people in their service before him. Not all of the tribe of Levi are among the priesthood.  Not everyone has the same role.  There are some who have been called to serve before the Lord in sacrifices.  There are others who have different privileges.  The role in which God has put us is a good role.  It is one which we can and should use diligently for his service.  It is not a wasted role.  Do we then avoid seeking any change in our position?  Not necessarily.  But we need to learn contentment in the position the Lord has given us.  That will never disappoint.

A second important issue we see in our Old Testament reading today is that God's anger would fall on the people of Israel for the sin of the Korahites except that Moses and Aaron, not of the people of Korah, begged God's mercy  Are we ever in such positions?  Thanks be to God that we have Jesus Christ, the risen and ascended Lord, at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us.  Thanks be to God that we have been recreated in his image and can pray for our enemies, and bless those who curse us.  May the Lord make us so grateful for the protective care he has lavished upon us that we also lavish that care on others.

Let us go, rejoicing, using the state in which our Lord has put us to bring his blessing to those we encounter today..

Numbers 11.1-23, 31-35; Luke 17.1-19 - Lectionary for 5/13/10 - Ascension Day

Today's readings are Numbers 11.1-23, 31-35 and Luke 17.1-19.

See two important features of today's reading.  First, we notice that the Lord visits his people in his anger.  The people of Israel are not able to withstand either.  All to often today we try to sanitize God.  We take away his teeth.  We say that he never has really been angry with sin or that he is no longer angry with sin.  This is an unbiblical view.  Our Lord, God the Father, is indeed angry about sin and remains angry about sin to this day.  The difference is solely that he has poured out his anger on Jesus, God the Son, who died in place of all sinful humans, all who deserve to die, all of us.  God's righteous wrath against sin consumes the sin and the sinner alike.    Second, we see that the Lord, though dreadfully angry against sin, visits his people with provision.  How much do they need to eat?  He knows exactly how much they need, and he provides that.  But in their sin the people doubt his goodness or his ability to provide.  the Lord provides for his people, more than they can imagine, more than they can endure.  How much has the Lord provided salvation for his people?  He has in fact, saved us more than we can imagine.  He has saved us more than we could endure to think about.  If we were to realize how terrible sin is and how great salvation in Christ is we would surely drop dead right there on the spot.  Our Lord provides so greatly that we cannot even start to imagine it.

The next few days' posts may be very brief or nonexistent as I will be in and out of Internet and computer access.  We'll see what happens!

Numbers 10.11-36, Luke 16.19-31 - Lectionary for 5/12/10 - Wednesday, Easter 6

Today's readings are Numbers 10.11-36 and Luke 16.19-31.

Yesterday we looked briefly at the idea of God providing an "alternative" opportunity for the Passover.  I hope to get more input on te thought-provoking question posted in the comments.

Today we see God moving his people from here to there.  His purpose isn't too clear for them, they don't seem to be on a direct path, but to be moving here and there in the wilderness.  God is clearly gathering his people and preparing them for the entry into the promised land.  Yet it will be according to his timing and plan.

I'm more interested today in looking at the relationship between Moses' father-in-law and the people of Israel.  See how Moses urges him to continue with them.  He will be good for the people because he knows more about the area than they do.  But more importantly, the people of Israel will be good for Hobab.  After all, God is directing his people with the cloud of his presence.  They aren't going to be lost.  And these people are quite able to find whatever provisions are present wherever they encamp.  Yet fellowship with the people of God is good for this foreigner, Hobab.  He seems open, at least on some level, to what God has revealed through Moses.  Yet he is not someone who is fiercely loyal to the people of Israel.  Is he cast out?  Not at all.  He is welcomed.  

How many times do we in the body of Christ engage in litmus tests to see if someone is worthy to have fellowship with us, to partake of the blessings of God?  Do we invite only the people who are serious believers to participate in Bible study, to be prayed for, to hear God's Word?  What barriers do we put up against people who might otherwise hear the Word of God, be brought to repentance, and believe like we do?  Let's rather see if we can be more like Moses.  "Here, Hobab.  God's presence is good for you.  Won't you stay and receive what God has for you?"

Numbers 9.1-23, Luke 16.1-18 - Lectionary for 5/11/10 - Tuesday, Easter 6

Today's readings are Numbers 9.1-23 and Luke 16.1-18.

I've noticed a recurring theme in our Old Testament readings.  In a nutshell, the theme is that God works things out according to his will.  He tells his people how life is best.  He gives them laws which are for their good.  And he gives his people mercy when they see they are not able to keep God's law.  Here, for example, when people are not able to celebrate the Passover due to being unclean through no fault of their own, they have an alternative date, by which time they can expect to be in a state to partake of Passover.  The rule is the same for the Israelites and for their guests and sojourners.  God has provided a way of cleansing.  If people desire to participate in it they are welcome.  If they don't conduct themselves in a way that says they do wish to participate then they are responsible for that failure.

Likewise in the New Testament time and again we see that the Lord does what is necessary to convert people, to redeem them to himself.  When his people, those he has died for and who he promises to raise again in newness of life, disregard his actions, his mercy, his grace, they bring their own condemnation upon themselves.

Lord, may we be joyful partakers of what you have provided for us, valuing your desires.

Numbers 3.1-16, 39-48, Luke 14.25-15.10 - Lectionary for 5/9/10 - Sixth Sunday of Easter

Today's readings are Numbers 3.1-16, 39-48 and Luke 14.25-15.10.

One of the hot-button issues in the modern Western Church in recent decades has been the involvement of women in pastoral ministry.  I'd like to make a few brief observations today based on our reading in Numbers 3.  Maybe his is timely as well because it happens to be Mother's Day.

Look at the account of the Levites which we read today.  Notice that the tribe of Levi, those who are not included in the Aaronic priesthood, have a special function before the Lord.  They are not offering sacrifices or serving in the temple in the manner of priests, but they have their own unique calling.  They are of great use in God's kingdom.  They are, in fact, indispensable.  These descendants of Levi, a great host of people, are specially appointed to a particular type of service.  They are given gifts in accordance with the use to which the Lord will put them.  They are absolutely serving the Lord in what they do, despite not being priests.

Do we overvalue or perhaps undervalue the pastoral office?  We seem to wish to make it an office that doesn't have any distinctives.  And when this office, which is biblically given to those identified as elders or bishops, is considered an office which should include those people who don't meet that qualification, the office is simultaneously devalued and elevated.  It is elevated in that it is considered the most worthy and important work of the Christian.  It is devalued in that it is considered the service that everyone should be able to do, regardless of any biblical qualifications.  This should not be.  As in the case of Numbers chapter 3, let us realize that all sorts of service before the Lord is noble.  Let us remember that some have one type of service and others have another service, and that the Lord has appointed the qualifications for those roles.  Let us rejoice in seeing some people in roles that we ourselves never hold.  Let us never think too highly or too poorly of ourselves due to the role our Lord has given us.  It is all of his grace.

Leviticus 26.21-33, 39-44, Luke 14.1-24 - Lectionary for 5/8/10 - Saturday, Easter 5

Today's readings are Leviticus 26.21-33, 39-44 and Luke 14.1-24.

Today's Old Testament reading focuses on the importance of heeding our Lord's commands, which are for our good.  Look at the way he lovingly and incrementally brings circumstances against his people to act as a corrective for their unbelief.  First he brings natural events against us, then disease and enemies.  If we don't fear those things, which, observe, we are powerless to combat effectively, God will come against us himself.  In other words, if delivering us into the hands of nature and our enemies does not remind us of our frailty and need for repentance, God himself will visit us with his wrath and will turn his back upon us.

What's the good news in all this?  What is our response?  Is it perfect obedience to God's Law?  That's exactly what we would expect, especially after reading all the things our Lord says we are to do.  But we find quite the opposite.  Not that we are to ignore God's decrees, but in verse 40 our Lord calls us to confession.  That's what God desires of his people.  He wants us to see and acknowledge that we aren't able to take care of ourselves.  He wants us to see that in fact we are not him.  We are his creation, he is the creator.  We are to fear, love and trust in him above all things.  That's what the Lord calls his people to do.  That is what preserves God's covenant, not our obedience, but our confession of our disobedience.

Let us turn to our Lord in repentance, realizing and confessing the many times we have tried to run the show ourselves, trusting in our own power.  Let us trust rather in the mercy and lovingkindness of our Lord.

Leviticus 26.1-20, Luke 13.18-35 - Lectionary for 5/7/10 - Friday, Easter 5

Today's readings are Leviticus 26.1-20 and Luke 13.18-35.

I've seen a little talk around the Web about suggestions for people who are feeling bogged down by Leviticus.  Frankly, my suggestion for people feeling bogged down with Leviticus is to take a really close look at reading like that for today.  Today's reading divides quite neatly into two segments: 1-13 and 14-20.  Counter to a typical Reformational pattern, this gives us God's blessings first, then God's judgment.  You might question whether there is any Gospel at all in the passage.  Yet I want to observe that in the first thirteen verses God is describing the blessings of his people among whom he dwells.  In Christ we see the fullness of the Godhead dwelling with us.  He is, in fact, God with us, Emmanuel.  With Jesus our savior we see that he has recreated us into the kind of people who walk confidently in the land.  No matter what the enemies, we know the Lord has faced sin, death, and hell.  Even more than that, we know our Lord has risen victorious over them.  We find there is no reason to fear.  God is daily confirming his covenant with us.  He is the one who delivered us from sin and death.  He is the one who has proclaimed us free.  Here are words of great encouragement.  So far from being bogged down in our Leviticus readings, let's look at the Scripture with joyful hearts as we see it proclaiming the wonderful provision of our Lord and Savior.

Leviticus 24.1-23, Luke 12.54-13.17 - Lectionary for 5/6/10 - Thursday, Easter 5

Today's readings are Leviticus 24.1-23 and Luke 12.54-13.17

In today's Old Testament reading we see the passage which is frequently cited against Christians.  In Leviticus 24.20 we see the idea that punishment will be inflicted "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth."  This is often used by the unbelieving community as an evidence of God's being mean and vengeful.  On the contrary, if we look at the context, these penalties are imposed on those who carelessly or intentionally cause harm.  They are intended to protect people.  They are to discourage people from causing harm to their neighbors.

May the Lord likewise remind us that we are to love and care for our neighbors, striving to keep them from harm.  Harming our neighbor is just like harming ourselves.

Leviticus 23.23-44, Luke 12.35-53 - Lectionary for 5/5/10 - Wednesday, Easter 5

Today's readings are Leviticus 23.23-44 and Luke 12.35-53.

As we read in Leviticus today we see that God appoints a routine of festivals for the people of Israel.  Of course, they are centered around the Sabbath worship which he has instituted.  Yet on certain Sabbaths there are special emphases which the Lord has commanded.  Each one has a special focus - trumpets to show God's self-proclamation, a Day of Atonement for forgiveness, a time in booths to remember the pilgrim nature of God's people.  

It's a good thing to remember what God has done in the past.  It's a good thing to have special days when we focus on important events.  In past years I spent time in several different church congregations which took little or no notice of the historic Church calendar.  One of them went so far as to have a special evening service near Christmas but otherwise made no official mention of even Christmas or Easter.  While I can understand the convictions that might lead toward this - a desire to emphasize the systematic preaching and teaching of the Scripture in its context through extended passages of the Bible (why let Easter interrupt your series on Isaiah?), I don't think this is well advised.  God has worked in very distinctive ways at different times in history.  There's a sort of rhythm in the Church year.  It provides a framework on which to hang many aspects of our Christian belief, simply through noting the seasons believers throughout history have acknowledged.

Our Lord has made the times and the seasons.  He has appointed them for reasons.  And though the Christian calendar is not specifically commanded by the Lord, as were these feasts in Leviticus, we can use that calendar to the benefit of God's people, reaching out to our world, pointing them to what our Lord Jesus Christ has done.

Leviticus 21.1-24, Luke 12.1-12 - Lectionary for 5/3/10 - Monday, Easter 5

Today's readings are Leviticus 21.1-24 and Luke 12.1-12.

Today we read about the severe dedication required of the Aaronic riests.  Even in the most touching instances, the death of a family member, they are not always to attend and bring comfort to their family members.  This is to prevent them from defiling themselves and preventing themselves from ministering before the Lord.  The job of a priest is to provide access to worship for the people.  Without this work of the priest the people are unable to worship according to God's requirements.  The Lord has prescribed particular ways in which worship is to be carried on.  If his priests are not available, the people have no access to God.  It is a holy obligation, one which is to be taken very seriously.

While we may think it is all a burden, notice also that those descendants of Aaron who are somehow not qualified as priests due to physical disabilities are provided for anyway.  They are to engage in as normal a life as they can, but are not allowed to offer the sacrifices.  The person who brings an offering to God is to be free from the defects God lists for us in Leviticus 21.  Yet those priests who are disqualified receive the same living as the priests who are working with the sacrifices.  

The callings of the Lord are not according to our desires.  They are not according to our abilities.  They are not according to our popularity.  They follow his distinctive pattern.  Let us rejoice as we see our Lord working out his plan in this world, a plan which we would not have devised, a plan which is different from our plan.

Leviticus 20.1-16, 20-27; Luke 11.37-54 - Lectionary for 5/2/10 - Fifth Sunday of Easter

Today's readings are Leviticus 20.1-16, 20-27 and Luke 11.37-54.

In Leviticus today we continue the theme we began yesterday.  God's people are warned against child sacrifice, various types of sexual immorality, and various ways they could choose to look just like their neighbors in the land God is giving them.  In every instance, God points out that He is the holy Lord who makes his people holy.  He is the one who sanctifies the people of Israel.  Without his work in their midst they are, in fact, just like their neighbors.

As believers in Christ, let us recall that we are not the ones doing this work.  We are not the ones who make ourselves holy.  It is the Lord working in us, the Lord our righteousness, the Lord Jesus who has broken the bonds of sin, the Holy Spirit who sanctifies us.  May we look not to our own works for righteousness but only ever trust in the Lord.

Leviticus 19.9-18, 26-37; Luke 11.14-36 - Lectionary for 5/1/10 - Saturday, Easter 4

Today's readings are Leviticus 19.9-18, 26-37 and Luke 11.14-36.

We often take a purposeful glance at the Law/Gospel distinctions in a passage.  At first glance, today's reading in Leviticus seems to be entirely Law.  It tells us, again and again, what we are to do.  We are given commands, and here they are commands that we might even think we can keep.  In general it's relatively easy to deal with most of the commands we see in this passage, all but one.  We see over and over again that we are to fear God, honor his name, trust in the Lord.  This, we ultimately confess, we will not be able to do very well.  It's one thing to leave grapes in the vineyard for scavengers.  We can do that.  It's another thing to honor God's name in all we say and do.  We stand condemned by  this passage of the Law.

Where then do we find the Gospel, God's statement of what he does on our behalf?  It is all through today's reading.  Look at the reason God gives for us to do what he commands.  Leave food for scavengers.  I am the Lord.  Tell the truth.  I am the Lord.  Don't rob or cause harm to anyone.  I am the Lord.  Pursue justice.  I am the Lord.  Love your neighbor.  I am the Lord.  On and on we see God commands us something and then proclaims himself the Lord.  All these things our Lord commands us are his own characteristics.  Has our Lord given us food?  Is God the god of all truth?  Isn't God the one who heals rather than harms?  Is God the God of all justice?  Is God love embodied?  What has the Lord done?  We could keep enumerating his grace and mercy forever.

Lord, You are the Lord.  Amen.