February 17, Reading Notes

For new readers joining the journey, check out the notes at the end, especially the link to the on-line ESV One Year Bible.

Leviticus 4-5

Now, these chapters are a good exercise in Bible study. Look for words or phrases that repeat. These will go through both chapters. Also, look for “or if…”.

One of the things that hit me this year was “realize their guilt.” Realizing their guilt would be the ministry of the Spirit, but to really "realize" it, would cost them something.

The other thing that occurred to me was that it would be burned into the minds of these people that when they sinned, even if it was unintentional, a life would be lost. That’s pretty heavy. I wonder, as disciples, if we truly appreciate the deep repercussions of sin. I know it’s true of me, that I take both sin, and the Lord’s death for granted. In Leviticus, God is making the people, and nation, appreciate the meaning of sin. He will also make them value their responsibility toward each other to be holy before the Lord.

Mark 2:13-3:6

Mark 2:13-17

Levi, the rich, socially rejected man, felt comfortable to accept Jesus’ offer, because Jesus dared to face off against the religious right on the issue of “shunning” sinners. You cannot attract the lost with the message of the love of Christ, by not loving the lost. Distance of values does not mean you have to be distant from the person. You don’t find a greater separation of values than Holy God and sinful man, but still, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.

Mark 2:18-22

We saw this in Matthew. Not all of John’s disciples followed Jesus. Totally ironic, but Jesus reserves His first use of parables for them and His answer is compassionate.

Mark 2:23-27

To put this in perspective, insert John 5 right before this event. This is why the Pharisees were now following Him so closely. In John 5 Jesus calls Himself both, Son of God and Son of Man. The way He uses these titles is really interesting. It made the Pharisees hate Him because it was so clear.

Matthew/Mark/Luke have this event and the one that follows, together, meaning that’s exactly how it happened chronologically. That all three Gospels have it means it was a very significant event.

Mark 3:1-6

Some believe this man was put there on purpose. Doctor Luke mentions that it was the man’s “right” hand. The Pharisee’s reaction is intense.

As disciples, if we are doing our job, walking closely with Christ in the harvest, this kind of opposition will be ours, and not just from the “unbelieving” community. Following Christ and making disciples in the harvest has to be our true reward and passion.

Psalm 36

There are two things I’ve never seen here before.

First, the description of the man in verses 1-4 is dark. What defense do you have if this sort of secret, black-ops deceitfulness is aimed at you?

Second, notice the repetition of “your steadfast Love.” This is our true hope and refuge. Only God can know all of the things aimed at us as we serve Him in this dark time of harvest. But knowing He knows is not the comfort and strength we have. Our hope and joy and strength is in the steadfast love of the Lord. That’s got to be enough. Lord, teach me this.

Proverbs 10:1-2

One of the things that always interests me is the connection between verses, if there is one. Doesn’t it seem completely random? So, is verse 2 the reason for the responses in verse 1? That would kind of be like -

A wise son, whose righteousness delivers him from death, makes his father glad,

But a foolish son, who gains things by pursuit of ungodliness, finds no lasting value in his life and brings sorrow to his mother.

Just a suggestion.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.” 

I'm writing these comments to and for those at New Song who are following a One Year Bible and involved in a discipleship cell. We're meeting weekly and discussing the texts, not necessarily my comments. We're growing together, learning to become and make disciples who make disciples. We will all be leading others in this process and training them to do likewise.

The comments I'm writing are in no way exhaustive, but meant to give some leading thoughts on how the text applies to us as disciples and to encourage and stimulate our growth in reading the Bible, with the effect that we will grow as disciples and encourage the growth of others as disciples growing in the word. If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible, in fact, no one in our church reads the version I do, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it.