March 12- The Springtime of Resurrection

March 12, 2011

Numbers 16:41-18:32; Mark 16:1-20;
Psalm 55:1-23; Proverbs 11:7

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!"  ~Robin Williams

Numbers 16:41-18:32

Every year in the Springtime the first thing  to show new life in our yard are the tiny purple crocus plants I planted a few years back at the base of the bushes near our front stoop.  Next, the forsythia bush sprays a golden fan of yellow in the back yard.  Finally, the Bradford pear trees become lush with white flowers.  I love Spring. Budding plants represent new life after a cold and dreary winter. 

Today God produces new life from dead wood. But before we get to that story we must look at the ending to what happened after Korah and his followers were killed by God.  The remaining community feels that the punishment for Korah and the other leaders was too harsh.  They blame Moses and Aaron for the deaths. God is angry with their attitudes.  Moses falls on his face and pleads with God for these people.  Upon Moses' suggestion, Aaron takes an incense burner and walks among the people praying for them.  Remember, burning incense represents prayer.  The plague that God had sent to kill the rebellious community is halted as a result of the intercession of Moses and Aaron.  Through Moses and Aaron we see a picture of what Christ does for you and me.  We are the murmuring rebellious people that Christ intercedes for as our High Priest.  He stands between us and God, the Father, whose holy presence cannot tolerate sin.

After this incident God has each tribe bring a stick or rod of wood to the Tabernacle.  These may have been like walking sticks that were carved or smoothed out.  They were dead pieces of wood.  Each tribe was to carve the name of their leader on their tribe's rod.  Aaron's name was carved on the rod for the tribe of Levi. The rods were placed at the Ark of the Covenant where God met with Moses.  God declared that the rod that buds will represent the man chosen by God to be the High Priest.

The next day Aaron's rod budded, flowered, and produced almonds.  This settled the dispute among the people as to who was to be in leadership. 

So what picture is this incident giving to us?  This is a picture of resurrection.  From this dead object (the carved rod) new life sprouts forth.  It is a picture of Christ and his resurrection from the dead.  It is Christ's resurrection that positions him as our eternal High Priest.  Jesus is not from the tribe of Levi.  He is from the tribe of Judah, but Jesus' resurrection shows that he is the rod that buds from death.  Aaron's rod points to the future Messiah who will act as Intercessor for those who believe in him. Jesus is our great High Priest and spiritual leader.

After reaffirming the priesthood of the Levites and Aaron in such a strong fashion, God reiterates the job of the Levites in chapter 18 of Numbers.  Do you recognize Christ's role as intercessor for you?  What comfort do you find in the reality that God has set up a system to cover your sins and pray for your weaknesses?  Who do you intercede for in prayer? 

Mark 16:1-20

It should not surprise you that our New Testament reading is about Jesus' resurrection!  The incident that Aaron's budding rod symbolized comes to pass today as Jesus defeats death and becomes the first fruit of those raised from the dead. Jesus is the bud, the flower, and the almond.  What a beautiful picture.  Jesus is our Springtime. 

Upon his resurrection Jesus encourages his disciples and all of the believers to spread the message of salvation through Christ.  All of the beautiful pictures of himself in the Old Testament have now been accomplished.  Go tell it!  Who have you told about Christ?  Have you ever spread this Good News to anyone?  Jesus gives new life to you and me.  We will, indeed, live again after we die because of him.

Psalm 55:1-23

Here is another psalm of trouble.  It is hard for me to really get into this one today because I am busy focusing on the wonderful aspects of resurrection.

Proverbs 11:7

"When the wicked die, their hopes all perish, for they rely on their own feeble strengths."  This ties directly to what we were studying today. 

If you do not rely on the strength of Christ, his death and resurrection, you will perish because you relied on your own feeble strength.

What did you learn today?  Please share.

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton