February 10- Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

February 10, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Exodus 30:11-31:18; Matthew 26:47-68;
Psalm 32:1-11; Proverbs 8:27-32

I'll love you forever,

I'll like you for always,

As long as I'm living

my baby you'll be.

When my first son was born I cherished one of the gifts brought to him to celebrate his birth.  It was a book entitled Love You Forever.  It was the story of a mother's love for her son through infancy, boyhood, the teen years, and as an adult.  Through each phase of his life, she recites the words,

                                     I'll love you forever,

I'll like you for always,

As long as I'm living

my baby you'll be. 

Time marches forward and the roles are reversed.  As the mother ages, the son is holding her and telling her that he will love her forever.  The book ends with the grown son holding his own daughter and reciting the song which begins, "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always..." It is a simple but profound story that speaks of the circle of life and it was a meaningful gift for my first born child. 

Jesus also received meaningful gifts after he was born.  The magi from the East (Babylon and Persia) brought him gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11).  Today in our study of the anointing of the priests in the Tabernacle, we will see that these gifts given by the wise men were not random presents. They were designed to signify the magis' belief that this baby boy was appointed to the office of King of the Jews, King of Kings, and High Priest of all believers in God. They also showed belief that Jesus was God in human form.  These men were aware of the practices of the Israelite priests and familiar with these spices that were reserved for anointing priests and kings.

Gold represents divine nature.  Gold is used throughout the Tabernacle as a picture of Jesus' divine nature.  Remember how the Ark of the Covenant, which represented Christ, was a wooden box overlaid with gold inside and out?  The wood represented Christ's humanity and the gold represented his deity. The wise men gave gold to Jesus to represent their belief in his deity.

In Exodus 30:22-30, the Lord commands Moses to use 12 1/2 pounds of myrrh, 6 1/4 pounds of cinnamon and sweet cane (sugar), 12 1/2 pounds of cassia (like cinnamon),  and a gallon of olive oil to make the anointing oil to anoint the Tabernacle, Ark, Table, and all utensils. Kinda seems like Christmas spices, doesn't it? The priests were also to be anointed with this mixture after they had been washed in the Brass Laver before approaching the altar and the Lord.  It is not hard to see that the myrrh given to Christ at his birth is a nod to the fact that the Tabernacle and every item in the Tabernacle points to Christ.  It is all a picture of his life and work on earth.  The gift of myrrh by the wise men signaled their belief in his anointed position as Priest and King of the Universe. By the way, did you know that the titles Christ and Messiah, both mean "Anointed  One"?

Finally, in Exodus 30:34-38, God specifies which spices are to make up the holy incense that will be burned before the God in the Tabernacle.  It probably will not surprise you to learn that frankincense is used in the sacred incense.  This is a picture of Christ as our Intercessor in prayer before God the Father.  The magi were giving a nod to Christ's role as our Intercessor and guide in prayer and worship.

As you can see, the gifts brought to the child Jesus by the wise men were not haphazard or random.  They were meaningful representation of these men's faith in God and His promises. It should be noted that these men were Gentiles. 

Today's reading ends with God reemphasizing the importance of the Sabbath.  This day of rest represents Christ Himself, who is our sabbath rest from working to please God.  We rest in his work on the cross.  God then writes the Ten Commandments on two stone tablets with his own finger.  Moses highlights the fact that these are God's laws and are not from the mind of man. How ironic that God would emphasize the Sabbath rest at the same time that He presents the Law.  There will be a tug of war between the Law and the Sabbath rest in Christ for the Israelites for centuries to come.

Food for Thought: Are you surprised that the wise men knew so much about the Old Testament?  The Israelites were famous in the ancient world for their many trials and triumphs. They had fulfilled their role as witnesses to the One True God. The Jewish captivity in Babylon served to spread the news of the One True God of Israel.  How do you see Christ in the Tabernacle?  What would you bring to Christ to show you believed he was a King and a Priest?

Matthew 26:47-68

If you have ever wondered if prayer is really powerful, take a look the effect that prayer had on Jesus after he went before God in anguished prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Today we see a different man.  We see a man of steadfast courage and supernatural perspective.  We see that Christ now has strength for this monumental trial and power over his situation.  We see divine authority in all of his actions.

Here is some of the proofs that prayer works:

• Jesus calls Judas "friend" as Judas comes to betray Christ with a kiss.  Jesus gives Judas permission to do what he has come to do.  This is Jesus practicing his authority over the his betrayal.- Vs. 49-50
• Jesus prevents an altercation with the guards and reminds those around him that he is able to call down thousands of angels to protect them, if he wanted to. - Vs. 51-53 Jesus shows authority over the high priest's guards and over angels.
• Jesus reminds everyone that what is happening is a fulfillment of Scripture.  - Vs. 54-56 Jesus shows his authority to fulfill prophecy.
• Jesus confirms to the high priest that he is the Son of Man and will sit at God's right hand in the place of power and come back to earth on the clouds of heaven. -62-64  Jesus shows authority about his position as the Son of God.

Needless to say, the high priest screams that Jesus is a blasphemer and guilty unto death. The persecution of Jesus begins as he is beaten and spit upon.

Lessons:  Jesus went from anguish to authority through prayer.   His circumstances did not change.  What changed was his perspective. Through prayer our perspective on suffering and our ability to accept God's will can change, too. You and I can do the same thing Jesus did.  He came to set an example and to show us the way.

How can you practice powerful prayer to change your perspective from a natural one to a supernatural one?

Psalm 32:1-11

This is a psalm of confession.  Verse 6 says, "Therefore, let all the godly confess their rebellion to you while there is time, that they may not drown in the flood waters of judgment."  Remember I John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness."

Proverbs 8:27-32

Wisdom was the architect at God's side as He created the universe.  Wisdom was His constant delight.  Remember that Wisdom is portrayed as a woman and a helpmate to God.  Happy are those who seek her.

What did you notice today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton