February 15- You Gotta Like A Cloudy Day

February 15, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Exodus 39:1-40:38; Mark 1:1-28;
Psalm 35:1-16; Proverbs 9:11-12

I've got sunshine on a cloudy day.  When it's cold outside, I've got the month of May.

Exodus 39:1-40:38

The times I have spent in the American Southwest have been fabulous.  The air is clear, the sky is big and the sun is bright.  As a matter of fact, the sun is so bright that it can get irritating.  You definitely need a hat on many summer days.  It is also nice when a cloud or two shows up to cover the ever present sun. 

Today, a cloud shows up for the Israelites over the Tabernacle and God is in the cloud!  As our reading begins, Moses is pleased with the objects fashioned by the Israeli craftsmen.  He sets up the Tabernacle according to God's specifications and anoints the objects to be set apart for service to God.  Have I mentioned that the term Messiah and Christ mean Anointed One?  How appropriate that the Tabernacle which is designed to picture Christ would be anointed from one end to the other.  God does not miss a trick.

Today, although God is light, His glorious presence before the Israelites is seen in the form of a cloud that hovers over the Tabernacle.  The cloud would rest on the Tabernacle during the day and at night the cloud would have a fire in it so that the people could see it.  If the cloud moved, the camp would break and follow the cloud.  If the cloud settled, the people would stop and make camp wherever the cloud rested.  Because this cloud was the shekinah glory of God, we see that following God is the key to making it through the wilderness.  The Israelites will follow God's glory through the wilderness for forty years and finally make it to the Promised Land.

Have you ever thought about the fact that when you are in the wilderness, God is going ahead of you in a cloud and is the key to YOU making it through your trial?  God is the cloud that will shield us as we roast under the blazing problems that can overwhelm us at certain times in our lives.  Just as the Israelites carried the Ark of the Covenant on their shoulders through the desert, are you carrying Christ in your heart in order to cope with the difficulties of this life?  This story in the Bible is there for a reason.  It is a picture that shows us a spiritual reality. Learn from this picture.

This concludes the book of Exodus.  The nation of Israel started as slaves in Egypt and ended by having God's very presence among them, guiding them through the wilderness to a land of milk and honey.  What a beautiful picture of what God does for all of us.  He takes us from the bondage of sin to the glory of the blessed Christian life.  He goes before us in this life on earth. Congratulations on finishing the second book of the Old Testament!

Mark 1:1-28

Have you ever felt rushed and in a hurry?  These days we think everyone has ADD or ADHD.  Maybe we all do.  Maybe back in the day, you would have said that Mark, who wrote the next book that we are going to read in the New Testament, had ADHD.  Why do I say this?  Because Mark is a book of action.  It never sits still.  It is go, go, go!  We see Jesus doing and saving and talking and healing and being a man that Gentiles can relate to.  This book was written for the Romans.  Mark interpreted Peter's account of Christ's life on earth.  Peter was a man of action and this Gospel reflects that personality.  Let's go!

Here's what happens in just the first chapter of Mark:

• John the Baptist prepares the world for the Christ saying that he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.
• Jesus comes and gets baptized by John and begins his ministry with God saying you are my Beloved Son.
• Jesus goes into the wilderness and is tempted and angels care for him.
• John is arrested by Herod because he said that Herod should repent.
• Jesus calls Peter to be his disciple and says you will be fishers of men.
• Jesus calls James and John.
• Jesus teaches in the synagogue with authority.
• Jesus throws out an evil spirit who claims that Jesus is the One sent from God.
• The news of Christ spreads quickly through the entire region of Galilee.

See what I mean!  Hang onto your hats, folks.  : )

Psalm 35:1-16

If you ever feel attacked and wronged read this psalm to find beautiful words that will express your emotions for that situation.  God is not afraid of your true feelings.

Proverbs 9:11-12

If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.

What did you see today?  You finished Exodus!  Good for you.  Keep reading!

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton

February 14- Abundant Giving and Enthusiastic Serving

February 14, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Exodus Exodus 37:1-38:31; Matthew 28:1-20;
Psalm 34:11-22; Proverbs 9:9-10

If you have much, give of your wealth; if you have little, give of your heart. 
 ~Arab Proverb

Exodus 37:1-38:31

Have you ever been involved with a project that you were so into that the time, effort, and cost just didn't matter to you?  When I home schooled my children, I was so focused and so inspired by God to do the task at hand that the enormity of the task rarely overwhelmed me.  God fueled my engine to accomplish the job.

Today as the people of Israel set out to obey God's detailed instructions for constructing the Tabernacle, we see godly zeal as they enthusiastically follow God's plan for the Tabernacle that pictures Christ.

The 2,200 pounds of gold, 7, 545 pounds of silver, and 5, 310 pounds of bronze, not to mention the wood and fabrics represent abundant giving from people, who spent many years in slavery with nothing to their names.  After plundering Egypt, their ability not to cling to their new found wealth is impressive.

Before we leave the Tabernacle, let's take one more look at the symbolism of Christ in the structure and contents:

• The brazen altar-Sacrifices were made here and it pictures Christ on the cross who is our lamb, who was slaughtered and is an eternal sacrifice that causes our sins to be forgiven.
• The laver/washbin- Made of brass (material for ancient mirrors) this washbasin reflects our need to be washed by Christ.  Through him we receive washing and cleansing from sin.
• The golden lampstand- Jesus is the Light of the World, defeating darkness and filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit. 
• The Table of Showbread- Jesus is the Bread of Life, our spiritual sustenance.
• The altar of incense- Jesus is our Intercessor and our Prayer for salvation and praise of God.
• The mercy seat- Jesus is our grace and forgiveness. He is where we meet and receive God's mercy.
• The ark of the covenant- Jesus is both God and man.  He is the promise of Salvation, the High Priest, and the fulfillment of the Law. In the safety of this ark, we avoid God's judgment of our personal sins.

What a beautiful picture.  Thank God that the ancient Israelites worked and gave with zeal to provide this picture for all of humanity.

Matthew 28:1-20

Today Matthew concludes his account of Jesus as the King of the Jews.  After Jesus is buried in a borrowed tomb, the faithful women are outside of the tomb as an earthquake occurs.  An angel comes down, rolls away the stone and sits on the stone.  The Roman guards are catatonic with fear.  The angel tells the women not to be afraid because Jesus has been raised from the dead!  The women are frightened, but also filled with joy.

Have you ever been to a funeral?  When you see someone who has passed, the lifeless body offers no hope.  You know that the person you knew is gone from the body in front of you.  Can you imagine having that person come back to life the next day?  What joy!  What wonder!

The women fall at Christ's feet when they see him.  Jesus tells them not to be afraid.  You may want to begin to notice how many times in the Old and New Testament Christ says this to people.  He is always saying, "Fear not." Jesus is the part of the Godhead (trinity) that is approachable.  While the religious leaders are bribing the Roman soldiers to lie about Christ's resurrection, the disciples have gathered at a mountain to see Christ.

Matthew chooses to end his account of the resurrection story with Jesus giving the great commission.  As a King, Jesus commands his subjects to spread the good news about salvation through him to all the nations.  He tells them to baptize people in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  This reference to the Trinity is an important part of understanding Jesus' role in eternity as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  The new disciples are to obey the King's commandments. 

The book concludes with one of the most comforting statements in all of history, "And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Do you feel Christ's presence in your life?  How does the idea that you will live again after you die change your perspective?  Have you done your part to follow the commands of the King and tell others the good news?

Psalm 34:11-22

The Lord is close to the broken hearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit (Vs. 18)
I love this!

Proverbs 9:9-10

Knowing the Holy One results in understanding.  Did you know that?

What did you see today?  Congratulations on finishing the first book of the New Testament.  I hope you will continue to know the Holy One by reading each day.  You can do this!

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton

February 13- Divine Design

February 13, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Exodus 35:10-36:38; Matthew 27:32-66;
Psalm 34:1-10; Proverbs 9:7-8

We are each but a quarter note in a grand symphony. 
~Guy Laliberte

Exodus 35:10-36:38

I told you about the mice that got into the house that my husband and I built, but I haven't told you some other details about the experience of building the house.  In case you have not picked up on it, I am a person who pays attention to details.  As we were building our home, I wanted to make sure that one detail that we did not miss was the design of our fireplace. I love a really good fireplace. In order to take care of this detail, I went into different model homes and noted which fireplace I liked. Some fireplaces warmed my heart and some left me cold! There was one design I really loved, so we found the name of the craftsman who built those fireplaces.  Wanting only the best for our new place, we made sure that our builder hired this talented brick layer. To me, this detail of artisanship really mattered.

Today God chooses only the best craftsmen to create the Tabernacle.  As a picture of Christ, God pays special attention to every detail of the Tabernacle's design and construction.  After plundering Egypt, God has Moses take a free will offering from the nation of Israel in order to gather the materials for constructing  the Tabernacle and all of the items that represented Christ, including the Ark of the Covenant, the mercy seat, the inner curtain, the table, the lampstand, the incense altar, the altar of burnt offering, the washbasin (laver), the curtains of the courtyard, the priestly garments and all of the poles, tent pegs, and accessories.

Exodus indicates that there was a community of artisans who came together to worship God by using their gifts and talents.  These were both men and women. We see that some people were wealthy and contributed their possessions.  Some people could sew, some were weavers, some worked with metals, others were talented in construction. There were jewelers, designers, and embroiderers.  An orchestra of willing artists created a symphony of beauty to God.  The Tabernacle was a jewel in the desert.   This is a picture of the body of Christ today.  His Church is built by the gifts and talents of those who are indebted to him for their very lives.  Our sacrificial gift to God of our abilities glorifies God on earth and creates the symphony of Truth about God as a witness to all of the universe.

Lesson: Your life is part of a tapestry that God is creating.  Your gifts and talents create Christ's body, the Church, on earth.

How have you used your gifts on earth?  Do you realize that your gifts and talents glorify your Creator?  Do you worship God by using your gifts to benefit others?

Matthew 27:32-66

Yesterday we saw that Barabbas was freed, while Jesus was condemned to death and tortured.  The Roman soldiers did such a good job of torturing him that an African named Simon had to carry the cross for Jesus as he limped towards Calvary.

The scorn and derision predicted in Psalm 22 came to pass as soldiers gambled for Jesus' garments, as he hung on a cross naked between two criminals and as the crowd, the criminals, and Jewish religious leaders taunted Jesus to save himself if he really was the Son of God. 

At what appears to be the low point of God's story, we think back and realize that this is actually the climax of His Story (history).  Jesus is fulfilling his purpose on earth.  The Redeemer Child (Genesis 3:15) has come into the world and at this very moment he is beginning to crush the head of the Serpent.

The earth becomes dark from noon until three in the afternoon.  At this time, Christ cries out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"  Do you know the answer to this question? 

There are not many things in life that we have to face alone, but death is one of those things that we each do by ourselves.  One advantage we have as believers is that upon our death we are met by Christ.  We are ushered into his presence.  This is not what happens to Christ at his death on the cross.  Christ, bearing the sins of the world, is forced to face what most of us fear upon death...darkness and separation.  Christ experiences the nightmare of complete separation from God the Father. 

Tears come to my eyes as I consider the utter anguish of Jesus' suffering and complete desolation. The penalty for my sin and yours was paid for through his anguish and death.  The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, was led to slaughter.  This final Passover allows you and me to rest under the blood- covered doorposts of forgiveness.

God forsook Christ on the cross as planned before the foundations of the world.  Our Redeemer paid the ransom for the sin which began in the Garden. The power of that sin ended on a hill called Calvary.  As Verse 50 tells us, "Jesus shouted again, and he gave up his spirit."  No one took his spirit.  He willingly gave it up.

The veil in the Temple, which separated the Holy of Holies where God dwelt from the the other parts of the Temple, was torn in two from top to bottom at the very moment that Christ died.  The veil was a picture of Christ, who stands between God the Father and mankind.  His broken body on the cross gives access to God to all who believe in Jesus.  Matthew also records that an earthquake caused many dead men and women to raise up from the grave and appear to many people in Jerusalem.  This would be a picture of resurrection for all people to witness.  The reality that every person on earth will resurrect to salvation or damnation is a sobering thought.

Finally, a rich man named Joseph provides the borrowed tomb for Christ's burial.  We see that while the disciples scattered, some faithful women do not flee, but follow Christ from suffering to death and finally to burial.

Have you ever accepted the death of Christ on the cross as a payment for the death you deserve for your sins?  Have you thought about the utter darkness Christ experienced?

Prayer:  Thank you, Jesus, for what you did for me.  Forgive my flippant life and my careless sins.  May I live each day in humble obedience and thankfulness for your work on the cross.

Psalm 34:1-10

Vs. 6 "I cried out to the Lord in my suffering, and he heard me. He set me free from all my fears."

Proverbs 9:7-8

"So don't bother rebuking mockers; they will only hate you."  Jesus must have memorized this proverb.

What did you learn today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton

February 12- Forty Days and Forty Nights

February 12, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Exodus 34:1-35:9; Matthew 27:15-31;
Psalm 33:12-22; Proverbs 9:1-6

Lordy, Lordy, look whose forty.

Exodus 34:1-35:9

When I was in seventh grade I got bussed to a school that was not near my home.  This was part of the mandatory desegregation that was going on across the country at that time.  My parents were staunch public school proponents.  With that as their foundation, I was sent to what anyone would consider to be a sub-standard school.  The combination of bad administration, unhappy students and apathetic teachers created a perfect storm of mediocrity.  It wasn't until my father realized that I was not learning math properly that he took action to move the family to a different part of the city and put me in a different school. My dad thought education was important.  My dad knew that numbers were important, too.

Today we see that God thinks numbers are important.  You may have noticed in today's reading that Moses goes back up to the mountain after smashing the stone tablets and seeks God for a renewal of the Law.  God passes before Moses and declares His own Name. God declares that He is merciful, gracious, slow to anger, rich in unfailing love and faithfulness.  He establishes that He forgives every kind of sin and rebellion, but does not leave sin unpunished.  He confirms that sin has an effect even to the third and fourth generations of a family.  Moses falls down to worship.  After this, God reiterates the Law to Moses and again writes the covenant of the Law on the stone tablets.

We learn after reading the account that this meeting took forty days and forty nights where Moses neither ate nor drank while in the presence of God.  Now here is why I started this blog post about numbers.  You might remember that Noah was in the Ark during the forty days and forty nights of rain and upheaval that created the Flood.  Also, Jesus was tempted in the wilderness for forty days and forty nights.  Now, we see Moses in the presence of God for forty days and forty nights.  What up with the forty days and forty nights?  God is using this number in a symbolic fashion.  Here is what it symbolizes:

• Forty years is the biblical length of a generation.  After 40 years there is renewal.
• Forty is the number of waiting, preparation, testing or punishment.
• Forty represents death and rebirth.
• Forty represents a sufficient period to finish a work.
• Here are some other 40's in the Bible:  Moses was 40 when he was called by God; Jesus ascended into heaven 40 days after His resurrection; Elijah took 40 days to reach Mt. Horeb; Eli judged Israel for 40 years, David and Solomon reigned for 40 years; Goliath defied David and the God of Israel for 40 days; Israel wandered for 40 years in the desert; Isaac was 40 years old when he married Rebekah.

So what is the point?  On the mountain a renewal is taking place for Moses and the people of Israel.  In the face of punishment for their sin of idolatry, God instead, reiterates His promise and covenant with the people of Israel.  God renews the relationship.

Noah came out of the forty days of the Flood to a renewed earth and a new promise by God that He would not destroy the earth by Flood again.  Noah was part of the rebirth of the population of the earth.  Moses came away from the forty days with a renewed promise that God would give the Law to the nation of Israel.  Moses delivered the Law after this time of trial, testing, waiting, and preparation.  Jesus, in his forty days in the wilderness, was tempted, prepared and primed. Jesus came out of the 40 days and nights renewed to lead the world as the Perfect Savior worthy to die for our sins and be reborn in his resurrection. Jesus' 40 days and nights secured our rebirth as new creatures in Christ. Forty is a good number.

What do you think about God's desire to show us His story through numbers?  What are you learning about His personality?

Matthew 27:15-31

Remember how Eve influenced Adam in the Garden of Eden?  Today in our New Testament reading, Pilate's wife attempts to influence Pilate not to be involved in the death of Jesus.  As Pilate is trying to decide what prisoner to release in honor of Passover, she sends him a message to say she had a terrible dream tied to Jesus.  She asks Pilate not to be involved.  Her warnings fall on deaf ears as the crowd roars to have Jesus crucified. 

Pilot shows that he defers to his wife's judgment somewhat when he washes his hands in front of the crowd to claim his innocence in the matter.  The Roman soldiers now take their turn at beating and mocking Christ.  Please note that both Jews and Gentiles mock and torment Jesus.  Both the Israelites and the Gentiles are complicit in the death of the Savior of the world.  As much as Pilate would like to claim innocence in Christ's death, all people who have ever walked the earth and sinned against God are guilty of Jesus' death.  That includes you and me, my friend.  Today's reading ends with Christ being led to his crucifixion.

Have you contemplated your sins which led to the death of Christ?  He took my place and your place on the Cross. Just as God said in Exodus 34 that He forgives every kind of sin and rebellion, but does not leave sin unpunished. Jesus took the punishment for our sin that is required by God's justice and then because that price is paid, God forgives every kind of sin and rebellion of which we are guilty.

Psalm 33:12-22

Here are some verses I like, " The Lord looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race.  From his throne He observes all who live on the earth.  He made their hearts, so he understands everything they do." vs. 13-15

Proverbs 9:1-6

Wisdom is a good hostess who invites people to feast with her.  Have you accepted the invitation?  Are crickets chirping as she waits at your heart?

What did you see today?  Please share with me.

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton

February 11- When The Cat Is Away, The Mice Will Play!

February 11, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Exodus 32:1-33:23; Matthew 26:69-27:14;
Psalm 33:1-11; Proverbs 8:33-36

It's better to feed one cat than many mice. ~Norwegian Proverb

Exodus 32:1-33:23

My husband and I were married about three years when we decided to build a home.  It was a brutal winter that year and our house was built during the coldest part of that winter.  After we moved in, we began hearing strange noises in the walls. I would hear scurrying and little bumps against the walls and ceilings. Finally, one day when I had invited a friend over to see the house, she and I were in the kitchen when I opened a drawer to get a spoon.  Out ran a mouse! My friend and I screamed and my friend tried to chase the little critter down. How embarrassing!  I realized that because of the cold weather, the field mice had stayed inside during the construction of our house. As a result, they had been built into the walls!  If I had a cat, perhaps I could have avoided this fiasco.

Today, we see that the Israelites are like mice who play when the cat is away.  Moses is up on the mountain getting instructions from God on the Law and on the details of how to build the Tabernacle.  In fear that he is never coming back, the people demand to have gods that they can see and follow. Drenched in years of idolatry in Egypt, they revert to what they learned in Egypt. Because of this, they demand that Aaron create an idol for them.  Aaron takes the gold jewelry they plundered from the Egyptians and fashions a calf and an altar.  The people claim that this is the god who brought them out of Egypt!  Oh, my! What blasphemy!  They sacrifice to the idol and have an orgy to boot.  Not good. God tells Moses to go down the mountain because the people have already broken the covenant to follow the Law.

God tells Moses that He will destroy all of Israel for this disobedience and leave only Moses in order to make a great nation from him, alone.  For the average leader of a people this would be a great temptation and boost to the ego. But Moses is a different type of man. His prayer to God shows us his Christ-like nature.  Notice his honesty, selflessness, and his arguments to God on behalf of Israel:

• You brought them out of Egypt with might acts and power. Vs. 11
• If you kill them, the Egyptians will think that your intent was to use your power to wipe the Israelites off the face of the earth - Vs. 12
• Remember your covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  You swore on your own name that you would make their descendants as numerous as the stars and give them the land that you promised as an eternal inheritance.

Moses' thoughtful, self-less, persistent, honest, passionate, and persuasive prayer changes God's mind.  Do you realize that you can talk to God in this way? Do you pray passionately for other people?

Moses goes down the mountain, sees the idol and the orgy, and gets so angry that he throws down the stone tablets of the Law in a fit of anger, smashing the tablets to pieces.  He then melts the calf, grinds it to dust, and makes the whole group drink the gold powder.  Aaron lies and says that the calf just came out of the fire when he was melting the jewelry.  The Levites are told by Moses to strap on their swords and kill the guilty.  They obey and the camp is cleared of the cancer of the disobedient leaders of this activity.  Notice that sin is like a cancer that must be cut out.

Moses goes back up to the mountain and has incredibly honest conversations with God.  He requests to actually see God as he contemplates taking this rebellious group to the Promised Land.  God puts Moses in the cleft of the mountain and places His hand over the cleft.  He allows Moses to see only His back side, but not His face.  God is so Holy that Moses would be overwhelmed and die if he saw God face to face.

Do you realize that one day we will see God face to face?  The blood of Christ shed for us will put us in a position to be able to stand before God without dying.  When things get tough are you tempted to rely on things you can see and touch to get through your problems, rather than relying on God who is unseen?
What do you learn about God and how He is willing to communicate with us through Moses' example?
Do you honestly talk to God about His promises and the needs of those you love?

Matthew 26:69-27:14

Matthew continues to prove that Christ's life is a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.  Today, Jesus' prophecy that Peter would deny him three times comes true.  The priests and religious leaders discuss how to get the Roman government to sentence Jesus to death. They bind him and take him to Pilate.  Judas Iscariot is remorseful over causing the demise of an innocent man (Jesus) and hangs himself.  He had given back the thirty pieces of silver to the priests, and the priests bought a potter's field with it.  This fulfills a prophecy from Jeremiah 32:6-9 and Zechariah 11:12-13. 

Finally, Jesus is standing before Pilate, who is the Roman govenor.  Pilate asks Jesus if he is the King of the Jews.  Jesus says, "Yes.  It is as you say."  As the Jewish religious leaders make false accusations about Christ in front of Pilate, Jesus remains silent. Remember, Jesus is prepared after the Garden of Gethsemane for all suffering that is to come. He suffers in silence like a lamb being led to slaughter.

How do you handle suffering in your life?  Do you complain about every little thing that goes wrong each day?  Or do you have an eternal perspective on life and your trials?  This is only accomplished through knowing God's Word and prayer.

Psalm 33:1-11

Notice the end of this portion of our reading: "The Lord shatters the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes.  But the Lord's plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken."  Today, we see this truth in both the Old and New Testament readings.

Proverbs 8:33-36

If you find wisdom you will be happy, have life, and win approval from the Lord.  Moses and Jesus were wise. They are examples to us.

What did you notice in today's reading.  Please share.

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton

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

February 9- Set Apart

February 9, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Exodus 29: 1-30:10; Matthew 26:14-46;
Psalm 31:19-24; Proverbs 8:14-26

Consecrate- V. Give oneself entirely to a special purpose or service, usually religious.  
Dedicate to a deity by a vow.

In our secular world there are not many things that are dedicated solely to God.  Nuns who take a vow of chastity and poverty are perhaps the closest example of modern people who have consecrated themselves for a purpose.

Today Aaron and his family are consecrated by God to be the priests for the nation of Israel.  You may have noticed in the reading that many animals had to die for this consecration.  Rather than these men sacrificing something from their lives or giving up family relationships and marriage for God, these men are recipients of God's sacrifice.  It is God's sacrifice that consecrates these priests, not their sacrifice.  The animals killed remind us of the first sacrifice made in the Garden of Eden when God killed an animal to cover Adam and Eve's nakedness. The death of the innocent animal provided the animal skins that covered their nakedness.  This illustrated the truth that the death of an innocent person will cover the sins of mankind in the future. This is what the ceremonial sacrifices done during the consecration of these priests represent.  It is God's work, not man's that saves.

God chooses to use sinful men, who need their sins atoned for, as His servants.  After covering the priests sins (note that the priests place their hands on the head of the ram in order to confer their sins upon the ram) with animal sacrifices, God has the priests act as intermediaries to request forgiveness for the nation of Israel. This act of being an intermediary for others pictures Christ, who acts as our intermediary before God.

The priests eat the sacrificed animal and the bread as a picture of our future communion with Christ. Eating represents partaking of his death and resurrection and receiving our spiritual sustenance from him. 

Another picture of Christ in the Tabernacle is the Altar of Incense.  The burning of incense in the Tabernacle represents the prayers of the believers.  Revelation 8:3 says, "And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given to him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne."  Psalm 141:2 also refers to prayer as an incense before God. Christ is the sweet incense of God.  He is our Intercessor to God the Father.  Christ is our Prayer.

When the priests would burn incense, the fragrance would permeate everything.  They would have a sweet smell that surrounded them.  May our continual prayers be a sweet fragrance to God as an everlasting method of praise. May the presence of Christ in our lives be a sweet fragrance to those around us and to God.

Lessons:  Our religious leaders today are under the same obligation that we are to rely on the work of Christ for their salvation.  Pastors and priests are sinners who need God's consecration for service. Our prayers are a sweet fragrance to God. Christ intercedes as a fragrance before God for us.

How do you pray for your spiritual leaders who fight temptation like all human beings?  Do you realize that one day your prayers will be poured out by God as a remembrance of His works?

Matthew 26:14-46

We have recently read in Exodus about God implementing the practice of Passover as a picture of what Christ would do on earth.  Here we have the Messiah, in obedience to God and God's Word, about to partake in the last supper before he becomes the Passover Lamb sacrificed for the whole world.

As Jesus predicted, he is about to be betrayed by one of the twelve.  Judas Iscariot is already plotting Christ's demise.  Remember how Joseph was sold by his eleven brothers for 20 pieces of silver?  Now we have Judas willing to sell Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.  O, what man will do for the love of money!

Jesus takes the opportunity during the Last Supper (last Passover) to implement a new sacrament to be done instead of Passover once he is risen.  We call it communion.  It was pictured in the consecration ceremony of the priests that we read about today.  Believers are to remember Christ's body and blood as a new covenant that he would be poured out to forgive the sins of many. We do this by eating bread to represent the sacrifice of his body and by drinking the wine (grape juice) to represent his blood that was shed for our sins.  Just as the priests ate the sacrifice, we eat the communion to show that his sacrificial death on the cross is our Bread of Life.  His work sustains us spiritually and secures eternal life for us. Jesus quotes Zechariah 13:7 when he predicts that the Shepherd will be struck and the sheep will be scattered.  Peter protests and Jesus predicts that Peter will betray him that very night.

Next, Jesus goes to the Garden of Gethsemane.  He asks Peter, James, and John to go with him.  Remember, this is also the group who saw Jesus at the Transfiguration.  We learn many things in the Garden:

• Sin entered the world in a garden.  Christ is finding the strength to defeat sin in a garden.
• Christ is in anguish about the prospect of carrying the weight of the world's sin on his shoulders in death and the idea of being separated from his Holy Father as a result.
• Christ is in anguish about suffering and dying.
• Christ needs the support of praying friends.
• Christ asks God persistently to let this cup of suffering pass, if it is God's will.
• He prays three times to see if he can avoid this fate.
• He experiences friends who aren't loyal enough to stay awake and be there for him.
• Without the support of friends, Christ relies solely on God through personal prayer to find strength.
• God the Father meets Christ in his hour of need and gives Jesus the strength to go through the trial.
• God does not give Jesus a "yes" answer to his prayer. God gives Jesus a "No" answer to having the cup of suffering pass from him.  God merely gives Jesus the strength to endure the hardship.
• God wills that Christ will die.  Death will not be avoided.
• Jesus is prepared through prayer to be betrayed.

How do you relate to Jesus in this story?  Have you ever had friends not be there for you in hard times?  How has God given you the strength to go through hardship, rather than take away the trial?

Jesus is our perfect friend who can relate to all of our trials.  Thank God for a Savior who understands me.  Thank God for his obedience unto death.  Thank God for his example of praying for strength to endure suffering and death.

Psalm 31: 19-24

Vs. 24 Be strong and take courage all you who put your hope in the Lord!

Proverbs 8: 14-26

The Lord formed wisdom from the beginning before He created anything else.  Wisdom is from everlasting to everlasting.  With wisdom the earth was formed.

What did you see today as you read the Bible?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal

Kathy Fullerton