March 1- The Year of Jubilee

March 1, 2011

Scripture Reading:
Leviticus 24:1-25:46; Mark 10:13-31;
Psalm 44:9-26; Proverbs 10:20-21

Leviticus 24:1-25:46

If you've been following this blog you know that my motivation for starting the blog was to commemorate turning 50 years old this year.  As we begin our reading for the month of March I will be turning 50 in 4 days!  It is appropriate then that our first reading for the month of March is the introduction by God to the Israelites of the concept of the Year of Jubilee.  Today, I am going to use portions of my article Why Jubilee? to explain the purpose of God's provision for jubilee.  Let the celebration begin!

The Proposal of Jubilee

Leviticus 25:11-12; Leviticus 25:13-17; 23-55                

God proposed the idea of Jubilee in the the Mosaic Law.  Every 50th year was a Year of Jubilee.  That's right.  Every 50th year was a year of celebration.  The Jewish people in the Old Testament were commanded by God to have years of rest and restoration.  As an agrarian people, the Lord commanded that the Jewish people allow the land to rest and lay fallow on every 7th year. 

In addition to this regulation, every 50th year the Jews were to declare a Year of Jubilee.  In this year, all property would go back to the original owner, all debts on land were forgiven, any Israelite who had been sold into slavery due to debt would be freed from their obligation and released to go back to their own family and their original property.  In addition to this, every person was to rest from working the land.  Both the land and the people would rest from their labors.

Wow.  What an amazing time for the whole community!

The Picture of Jubilee

Matthew 11:28-30; Isaiah 61:1-2; Luke 4:18-19                                    

The Year of Jubilee is a symbolic representation of Christ.  The New Testament book of Hebrews (Hebrews 10:1) says that the Old Testament Law is a shadow of Christ.  The laws picture how Christ's life, death, and resurrection would atone for the sins of mankind.

Because he fulfilled the whole Law while he was on earth, paid the penalty for our inability to fulfill the Law with his death, and then resurrected from the dead to give us new life, Christ is now our rest from the work of trying to please God with our behavior and he is our restoration to a right relationship with God.

How are you practicing rest and reconciliation in your life?  Does your daily existence resemble a celebration?  Has Christ become your Year of Jubilee?


Mark 10:13-31

Today's New Testament reading has Jesus holding young children in his lap to bless them.  The disciples are acting like body guards and trying to keep people away from Christ.  Jesus is not pleased with this.  He is not a celebrity.  He is a loving shepherd and teacher.  He teaches the disciples that everyone who wants to enter his kingdom must have simple faith like a child. 

It is appropriate then that a rich young man comes to Christ calling him Good Teacher and asking how he can earn eternal life.  Jesus starts by challenging the man's concept of "being good."  Jesus is aware that this man believes that behavior is the key to heaven. This man may even believe he can buy his way into heaven. Jesus is about to teach this man that every human being is a sinner and human effort and works won't be able to secure eternal life for anyone. Not even this man's wealth will sway God to let him enter.

Jesus commends the man for knowing the Ten Commandments.  Jesus lists some of the commandments, but conveniently leaves out "You shall have no other gods before Me. and You shall make no idol."  The young man states confidently that he has kept all the commandments that Jesus has mentioned.  With love, Jesus then tells him to sell his possessions and come follow him.  Jesus has nailed this man's sin.  You see, this rich young ruler made money and possessions his god and idol.  This man's Achille's heal, weakness/sin has been revealed by Christ. It is materialism. Does the man repent and follow Jesus?  No.  There is no humility and brokeness in him.  He does not have the faith of a child. As far as we know, this man did not inherit eternal life.

The disciples are astounded as they think that Jesus is setting an impossibly high standard for salvation.  Jesus is teaching that if behavior and good works are the test, then perfection is the standard.  The disciples are correct.  It is impossible.  Jesus then states one of the most comforting concepts in Scripture:  With man it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.  The disciples will learn that God's work will save them.  Jesus would do this work on the cross.  Jesus confirms to Peter that anything they have sacrificed for God will be received one hundred fold in the new heaven and the new earth.


Do you have child-like faith?  Are you still trying to work your way into heaven?  What have you sacrificed for Jesus?  (This could be pride, self-preservation, self-justification...) Christ wants your brokeness, humility, and simple faith.

Psalm 44:9-26

This psalm can represent how the nation of Israel may have felt at various times.  It definitely portrays how Christ would have felt in His life.  When you are down, can you honestly cry out to God like this psalm does?

Proverbs 10:20-21

Words from wise people are like sterling silver.  You can trust their advice.  Fools, on the other hand, are destroyed by their lack of common sense.  Do you know any fools?  Have you watched people destroy their own lives because they are fools?

What did you learn from today's reading?  Please share.

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton

February 28- The Holiday Calendar

February 28, 2011

Scripture Readings:

Leviticus 22:17-23:44; Mark 9:30-10:12;
Psalm 44:1-8; Proverbs 10:19

Nothing says holidays like a cheese log. ~Ellen DeGeneres

Leviticus 22:17-23:44

When the children were little I spent time considering what traditions we would form in our family for special holidays.  The year rolled along with a holiday to look forward to each season.  We would decorate heart cookies for Valentines’ Day, open small gifts and go to church on Easter, go to the beach for Memorial day week, and have a cookout for the fourth of July before going to a local fireworks display.  Fall brought us Labor Day at the pool, Halloween and Reformation Day parties at friends’ houses, and Thanksgiving filled with familiar foods and a thankfulness tree in the kitchen.  Finally, the year ended with Christmas and all the traditions associated with that wonderful time.  Each holiday was an opportunity to create family activities that defined us as a unit.  We confirmed our beliefs and celebrated what was important to us.  Each year’s festivities brought good memories and fellowship.

In today’s reading, God forms the holiday calendar for the nation of Israel.  Similar to a mother concerned for her family’s traditions, God uses these festivals and ceremonies to bind the nation of Israel together through thanksgiving to God and celebration of the gifts that He provides.  It should not surprise us that these holy seasons are each a picture of Christ or the nation of Israel’s relationship to God.  Here are the holy festivals dealt with in today’s reading and their symbolism:

·         Passover- the crucifixion and death of Christ

·         The Feast of Unleavened Bread- the fellowship we have with Christ because of His death

·         The Feast of the First fruits- the resurrection of Christ

·         Pentecost- the beginning of the Church

·         The Feast of Trumpets- Israel being brought back into the Land (this is in the future)

·         The Great Day of Atonement- the work of Christ upon the cross for us

·         The Feast of Tabernacles- the time when Israel is in the Holy Land (future time)

The Sabbath day is also reiterated to the Israelites, but that was established in the Garden of Eden.

I will briefly review that these holy days were designed to help Israel understand the providential work of God on earth to save mankind.  We have discussed how Jesus is our Passover Lamb.  Jesus is also the Unleavened Bread that had no “yeast” or sin in his life.  He was a perfect sacrifice.  Jesus is the first fruit of those raised from the dead.  As the Israelites gave their first produce to the priest as a sacrifice on the first day of the week, they created the picture of Christ resurrecting on the first day of the week.  He leads us in death and resurrection as our first fruit. 


The Holy season of Pentecost came 50 days after the Feast of First fruits.  It should be no surprise that the early church was given the Holy Spirit 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection.  Pentecost is the only feast where the Israelites were commanded to eat leavened bread.  Remember, leaven represents sin.  This feast represented the Church, which is not sinless like Jesus, but is here on earth and given over to sin. 

The Feast of Trumpets hearkens to the movement of the Israelites.  Seven trumpets were blown to mark the time that the Jews were to break camp and move towards the Promised Land.  Seven trumpets are blown in the book of Revelation to usher in the Great Tribulation Period.  Trumpets are connected with coming judgment.

The Day of Atonement was already explained in chapter 16.  This was the only festival of mourning for sin. This was also the most holy day in the Jewish calendar.  Jesus is our covering and atonement for our sins.  The Feast of Tabernacles celebrates a time in the future when Israel will live in the presence of God, just as He dwelt among them in the Tabernacle in the wilderness.  This celebration is a memorial remembering God’s care for them in the wilderness and also a prophetic anticipation of a time in the future when they will dwell in peace in the presence of God in the Promised Land.  Both Zechariah 14 and Revelation 21 deal with this prophecy.

So we see that God moved through the year with His children, guiding them to see who He was and what He would do for them to fulfill His promise to Adam and Eve, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  This calendar shows that God will use the Israelites to bring the Redeemer Child to earth. 

Do you think the Israelites understood that their feasts and holy days were an eternal picture on earth of future events?  That is why obedience to these ceremonies was so important to God.  They were a living picture of Him.  Do you know that your life is a living picture of God?  It is.  What do people see in the picture you are painting with your life?

Mark 9:30-10:12

Jesus could have been an attention freak, tweeting about every movement he made and every miracle he performed had he lived in our modern world, but we see that Jesus avoids publicity and spends quiet time with the disciples in order to teach them about the future.  He  tries once again to explain that he must be killed and after three days, rise from the dead.  Instead of focusing on his teaching, the disciples are arguing about who will be the greatest in his Kingdom. 

Jesus takes this opportunity to teach a very profound spiritual principle: If you want to be the greatest, you must be the least.  If you want to lead, you must serve.  John speaks up and reveals that the disciples are being exclusive about who can proclaim attachment to and power from Christ.  The disciples are trying to control what goes on in the ministry. Jesus rebukes John for this attitude.  Jesus lets them know that if a person is not against Christ, he is for Christ. 

Jesus, once again, speaks of hell for those who harm children and cause them to fall away from God.  No other person except Jesus speaks of hell in the Bible. Jesus is our source for understanding this aspect of eternity.  Jesus believes hell is real.

Jesus then clarifies God’s position on divorce.  We have gone over why marriage is such a big deal to God.  He sees it as a living picture.  It represents His intimate relationship with the Church.  We will see in our Old Testament readings that Israel is pictured as the Wife of Jehovah. Jesus does not back down on the sanctity of marriage.  It should be noted the Apostle Paul in his epistles clarifies that remarriage is allowed after divorce for Christians whose spouses have been unfaithful.  Jesus does not sugar coat the Law.  If anything, he ups the ante to include proper attitudes in addition to proper behavior.  He does this to bring us to our knees about our sinfulness.  No one can keep all of these rules perfectly.  That is his point. We need a Savior.

How are you like the disciples?  Are you exclusive in your Christian circle of friends?  Do you go into control freak mode about ministry issues? Do you believe there is a literal Hell?

Psalm 44:1-8

This is a psalm of remembrance.  Have you ever written a letter of remembrance to God about what He has done in your life?

Proverbs 10:19

Wow.  How many people need to hear this message? Too much talking leads to sin.  Duh.

What did you notice today?  Please share your thoughts.

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal

Kathy Fullerton

February 27- Regurgitate, Hurl, and Vomit

February 27, 2011

Leviticus 20:22-22:16; Mark 9:1-29;
Psalm 43:1-5; Proverbs 10:18

Leviticus 20:22-22:16

Many years ago our family had the Christmas from hell.  We are somewhat unusual in that we almost never get stomach problems, stomach viruses or the flu.  Don't ask me why.  I have no idea.  But as a mother, I have rarely had to deal with puke.  That was not the case one Christmas.  I had baked a lasagna for Christmas Eve dinner.  The kids had played their violins for the Christmas Eve service at church.  We came home to eat and watch It's A Wonderful Life.  And it was a wonderful life until we went to bed that evening.  It began when my son said he didn't feel too good.  My daughter agreed.  I started to feel queasy in my stomach.  My husband went to bed with a headache.  Then, all hell broke loose.  Everything we had consumed came out of our bodies.  No carpet or toilet was left unscathed.  I will spare you any more details.  We had all caught the flu. Suffice it to say, I learned about vomit in spades!!

Today God uses the visual of vomit to describe what He intends to do to the Canaanites in the Promised Land.  He says that the land is going to vomit them out because of the detestable way they live their lives. Here is God's declaration in Leviticus 20:23-24, "Do not live by the customs of the people whom I will expel before you.  It is because they do these terrible things that I detest them so much."

After describing the Canaanites expulsion as vomiting, God ironically says that He will give the Israelites the land flowing with milk and honey.  We will see in our future readings that God is not a respecter of persons.  He will regurgitate the Israelites out of this land, too, when they begin to follow the pagan practices of these people.  The milk and honey will curdle in the land and be expelled (this is symbolic, of course).

In chapter 21 of Leviticus, Moses is again told to remind the priests of their obligations to live a holy and separate life.  Their lives are to be an example of the difference between the One True God and the pagan gods of the land.  Behavior matters.  A priest's behavior is set to an even higher standard.  Did you know that the New Testament states that as believers in Christ we are a nation of priests?  Listen to I Peter 2:9,

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

That means that you and I are obliged to live lives that reflect our relationship with God.  We are to be priests who are willing to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1-2).  Scripture indicates that God desires mercy more than physical sacrifices of animals.  In other words, once Christ died for all, our priesthood is based on giving God our sacrifice of worship, attitudes, behaviors, and forsaking sins.  We are to die to self, in order to live for Him.  Our lives are to be living pictures of Christ's grace and obedience.

Leviticus is a book about holiness.  To be set apart is the theme God is presenting.  How does your life reflect that you are part of God's royal priesthood?  Have you noticed that God talks about idolatry and prostitution a lot?  He is zealous to be your one and only lover.  Are you a faithful priest? Would you consider yourself "set apart" for God?

Mark 9:1-29

Yesterday Jesus spent a lot of time sighing.  It was tiresome to him that no one understood or had faith.  Today we see Jesus giving Peter, James, and John an opportunity to increase their faith by seeing something miraculous.  Jesus describes it as, "...some of you will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."  Mark 9:1  Six days later, Peter, James, and John experience the Transfiguration of Christ on the mountain.  God declares to them that Jesus is His son that He loves.  Listen to him!  Jesus tells them not to tell anyone about this until he has risen from the dead.  Peter and the others discuss what he might have meant by "rising from the dead."  Who can blame them?  The Old Testament was not crystal clear on this.  Jesus was clarifying concepts they would not have fully understood.

They all discuss what the Old Testament meant by Elijah coming before the Messiah.  Jesus indicates that John the Baptist was the fulfillment of that prediction.  Many prophecies are actually fulfilled twice at different times. This is called the law of double reference. John the Baptist is an example of this. He prepared the way for Jesus to come the first time. Elijah will also come before the second coming of Christ to earth and prepare the earth for his second coming in glory. The Bible predicts that Elijah will return prior to Christ's second coming in Malachi 4:5-6.

You and I are in the same boat as Peter and the disciples with regard to the end times.  It is somewhat murky as to how it will all unfold.  But we can count on Malachi's prophecy to be true. Elijah will proceed the second coming of Christ.

Jesus also reveals, when healing a deaf and mute boy who was being tormented by an evil spirit, that certain casting out of spirits required a level of faith that includes prayer and fasting. The disciples were not quite mature enough for this.

Do you have faith to believe Christ without seeing results immediately?  Do you have to have a miracle in your life to trust Christ?  What about an immediate answer to prayer?  Does your faith falter if you don't get your way with God?

Psalm 43:1-5

Here is a formula for prayer when you are depressed...  Vs. 5 "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."
Admit your depression, give it to God, and then put your hope in His promises. It can help.

Proverbs 10:18

Do you hide your hatred?  God calls this lying.  I think the message here is that we must be honest with our emotions in order to deal with them.  If you hate, you should admit that.  Then you can begin to confess and work on the issues.  Honesty is the best policy.

What did you notice today?  Please share.

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton

February 26- For THAT, You Must Die...

February 26, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Leviticus 19:1-20:21; Mark 8:11-38;
Psalm 42:1-11; Proverbs 10:17

Capital punishment would be more effective as a preventive measure 
if it were administered before the crime. 
 ~Woody Allen

Leviticus 19:1-20:21

For years debate has raged on about the morality of the death penalty.  Proponents see the death penalty as a deterrent to crime and a means of justice for the victim.  Opponents feel that the death penalty ignores the sanctity of all human life.  The opponents think that there is no justification for taking a human life.  Today we see that Holy God instituted capital punishment in Israel to emphasize the importance of obeying the Law. Obedience to God's laws reflects God's Holiness to the surrounding pagan nations and sets the Israelites apart from the Canaanites, who occupied the Promised Land that Israel was to occupy.

As the One who sets the standards for holy behavior, it does not get any clearer than God's statement in Leviticus 19:2, "You must be holy because I, the Lord your God am holy."

Moses reiterates and expounds upon the Ten Commandments.  This includes behaviors that fall under the categories of the commandments.  I won't repeat the list, but it has a wonderful provision for helping the poor by only harvesting the fields and vineyards once.  This would leave 10 to 20 percent of the crop for poor people to come and glean for themselves.  Notice that this discourages greedy capitalism and godless socialism.  With dignity and hard work, the poor could thank God for their provision. The wealthy could also thank God for the abundance that provided not only for themselves, but for others also. 

Honoring one's parents, treating one's neighbor with respect, avoiding slander, gossip and lying, avoiding idolatry through mediums and psychics, not doing superstitious hair cutting or tattooing, and not prostituting one's children are put forth as mandatory.  Dealing honestly in one's business ventures and treating foreigners as one's neighbors is also required.  God is establishing the ground rules for the Israelites to be a different kind of people than the Canaanites.

In chapter 20, God brings the hammer down on behaviors that require death.  Chapter 19 gives us a break down of the laws. Chapter 20 gives us the penalty for breaking that Law.  Here are broken laws that receive capital punishment:

• Anyone who does a child sacrifice and offers their child to the pagan god Molech. (idolatry)
• Anyone who consults a medium or a psychic. Lev. 20:27 (This is idolatry)
• Anyone who curses their mother or their father.
• Anyone who commits adultery, which includes sex with certain family members, sex outside of marriage, homosexuality, and bestiality.
• Murder (this is established in other passages)

The sacrificing of a child to Molech was part of the culture that the Israelites would find once they got to the land of Canaan.  The idol for this god was a sitting metal statue that would be heated to incinerate whatever was put into it.  The idol had outstretched arms and a hole beneath the arms where the lap would be. People would throw their babies as an offering into Molech's lap.  This practice was abhorrent to God. 

Although the death penalty for these sins may seeming like a harsh punishment, sin and death are inseparable companions. God is attempting to protect Israel from eternal death.  He is also establishing the Israelites as a people set apart for a purpose. Jesus came to fulfill these Laws and free us from the penalty of death that breaking God's holy laws mandates. Jesus says in Matthew 5:17, "Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writing of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose." (NLT)

Jesus took the death penalty for us. We each break God's laws in some way, but Jesus lived the law perfectly and was therefore our perfect, innocent sacrifice for sin. We are no longer under the stipulations of the Old Testament laws, which were fulfilled by Christ. As Christians, we are now obliged to follow the law of Christ which Christ stated in Matthew 7:12, "Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets." (NLT) Christ's law is a law that brings freedom, rather than oppression and death. Through the power of God's Holy Spirit inside you, you can begin to practice this golden rule.

Is your life an example of being set apart for a purpose?  Are you following the ungodly practices of the culture around you?  How do you rely on the Holy Spirit to help you live a godly life?

Mark 8:11-38

Jesus seems exasperated today.  The Pharisees keep requesting a miraculous sign.  Jesus won't give it to them because he knows they don't have true faith in him. The disciples are lacking faith and don't seem to understand the source of Jesus' power.  They are seeing, but not understanding yet.  Jesus asks them, "Who do you say I am?"  Peter gives his confession that Jesus is the Messiah.  Jesus tells them not to tell anyone yet.  As we've discussed, Jesus does not want the people to try to make him a military leader/king and prevent his death on the cross. 

He begins to explain to the disciples that God's plan is for him to suffer, be rejected by the Jews and religious leaders, die, and rise again.  Peter scolds Jesus and says that he shouldn't say such things.  Jesus says, "Get thee behind me, Satan."  Why does Jesus say this to Peter?  Because Peter is thinking like the rest of the Jews who only want a military savior to free them from their bondage to the Romans.  Jesus intends to usher in freedom from their bondage to sin.  Peter's words represent a satanic mindset that would try to prevent Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection.  The Serpent from the Garden of Eden does not want his head crushed by the Redeemer Child born from the seed of Eve (Genesis 3:15).

Jesus is alone in understanding God's plan at this point in the story.  I can see why he did a lot of sighing today.

Does your brand of faith make Jesus sigh?

Psalm 42:1-11

Here is a psalm you can pray when you need a long drink of water on a hot day.  I believe Jesus was personally familiar with this psalm.  It was surely his heart at times.

Proverbs 10:17

Are you able to accept correction?  It is a pathway to life.  You have to swallow your pride to do this.  Peter had to do it in today's reading.  The ancient Israelites had to in the book of Leviticus.  You and I need to do it each day.

What did you notice?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton

February 25- Vampires Need Not Apply

February 25, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Leviticus 16:29-18:30; Mark 7:24-8:10;
Psalm 41:1-13; Proverbs 10:15-16

Surely it was a good way to die, in the place of someone else, someone I loved. Noble, even. That ought to count for something.  
~Bella Swan   Twilight

Leviticus 16:29-18:30

Have you noticed how obsessed everybody is with vampires these days?  Twilight, the novel about Bella Swan falling in love with Edward Cullen who is a vampire, has swept the nation and the world.  Television is also jumping onto the vampire bandwagon.  Popular shows have included The Vampire Diaries, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and True Blood.  Human beings have always had a fascination with drinking blood.  Today in our reading we see that as part of the Mosaic Law the Israelites are forbidden from drinking blood like the pagan nations around them.  We also get regulations with regards to sexual behavior.  Both sets of rules tie to God's preservation of the Jewish nation and the effect that our physical lives have on spiritual realities.

In this portion of Leviticus, Moses instructs the Israelites that they are not to kill an animal at their own home.  Any animal killed for consumption was to be brought to the Tabernacle where a priest would kill the animal, drain the blood, and then give the remainder of the animal's body back to the person to take home and use.  Why is there this rule?  This rule was designed to prevent pagan idol worship.  The Jews had just received their freedom from Egypt and are about to go into the Promised Land of Canaan.  Both places were dominated by idol worship.  As part of the idol worship animals were sacrificed to goat gods.  Goats, in particular, were sacrificed.  The Israelites had participated in this worship while in Egypt.  God wanted this to stop!  Each time they killed an animal they were to be reminded of the One True God.  Bringing the animal to the Tabernacle to be killed would remind them of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who they worship.  This symbolically tied them to Christ each time they took the life of an animal.  Remember, the whole Tabernacle is a picture of Jesus Christ. Bringing an animal to the Tabernacle also reflected faith in the coming Savior.

If you are interested in knowing God's personality, here is one aspect for you to see.  HE IS JEALOUS FOR YOUR LOVE.  God is not interested in sharing you with pagan false idol-gods.  He wants you to love Him alone.  He wants your loyalty and passion.  This is a husband who gets jealous.  The Israelites were prone to cheat on their spiritual husband.  He was not happy about this.  You and I are prone to cheat on our spiritual husband.  He's not happy about that either.  These rules set relationship boundaries for the Israelites.  We can learn from today's rules, even though they do not apply to us now.  The lesson to me is...don't let anything get between me and God.  He loves me and wants my full attention and love.

The next regulation is not to drink blood.  You might have guessed that in addition to health issues, this is a highly symbolic requirement.  Leviticus 18: 11 states,

"for the life of any creature is in its blood. I have given blood so you can make atonement for your sins. It is in the blood, representing life, that brings you atonement."  (NLT)

The word atonement means "covering."  Going back to Genesis and Abel's righteous offering to God, we see that from the beginning, in order to picture what Christ would do to solve the problem of man's sin, God has required the shedding of innocent blood to cover sin.  Blood is sacred for that reason.  It was not to be consumed, because you do not consume the life of another creature.  Many pagan cultures to this day drink blood to receive power.  People eat death when they eat a dead animal. 

Jesus shed his blood to cover the sins of all mankind.  Jesus brings about a revolutionary teaching in the New Testament when he commands all believers to take Communion and remember him by drinking his blood and eating his flesh.  He is tying back to this regulation and now saying that those who believe in him are to partake of his death (bread/body) and drink the new resurrected LIFE (found in the blood) that only he can provide.  We are not only eating death when we take Communion, we are symbolically drinking new life that lasts forever!

Back in Genesis you may have wondered who Cain and Abel slept with in order to populate the earth.  They would have slept with their sisters.  We see throughout the writings of the ancient world that blood relatives have married and mated.  In many parts of the world today it is common for cousins to marry.  God allowed this practice for a period of time, but the Mosaic Law now forbids the Israelites from having sexual intercourse with blood relations.  God is once again setting the Israelites apart from other people groups and protecting them against disease and genetic problems so that the Messiah could come through their line.  Most of these rules are woven into the fabric of our own judicial system in the United States today.  If followed, these rules prevent sexual abuse and degradation in families.

Other forms of sexual perversion are dealt with in this chapter.  The domination of the pornography industry signals mankind's constant tendency to devolve into sexual perversion.  Remember, sex is intended to be a picture of our intimacy with God.  The marriage theme is constant in the Bible.  That is because our physical marriages are pictures of God's relationship with us.  Our love should be passionate, intimate and in the right context.  The love of a husband and wife should be one of trust, deep love, comfort, encouragement, and passion.  The sexual acts listed in this chapter do not comprise acts that God considers legitimate pictures of His love for us.  This is His universe and He makes the rules.  Perhaps you could form your own universe and make your own rules if you do not like His.

Have you accepted our modern take on sex, which by the way, is not modern at all, but actually ancient in its practices?  How can you practice intimacy with God in your life?  Does your marriage reflect your intimacy with God? If you are single, does your singleness reflect your intimacy and loyalty to God?

Mark 7:24-8:10

Today Jesus expels an evil spirit from a little girl, heals a deaf man, and feeds a hungry crowd.  Busy, busy, busy.  The story of the little girl being saved from an evil spirit is interesting because of the conversation Jesus has with the girl's mother. This woman comes to Jesus and makes her request.  It just so happens that she is a Gentile.  Jesus, being true to his mission to come to the Chosen people (Israel) first, tells her that he has come to help his own family, the Jews.  She counters that even the dogs get scraps from the Master's table.  Jesus says that she has given a good answer.  In the gospels, Jesus is healing Gentiles and Jews, alike.  So why did he have this conversation with this woman?  My belief is that Jesus is testing her faith.  Her answer shows humility, belief that he is the Master, and it reflects her persistence.  Are you picking up on the fact that Christ likes persistent requests asked with humility in faith?  Does your prayer life reflect these qualities?  The deaf man's friends reflect these same qualities.

Next, Jesus shows us that he is a living picture of the Law and the Psalms.  He has compassion on the poor and needy.  He feeds the hungry and always has pity on those in need.  Does your life reflect those qualities?  Do you find ways to help those less fortunate than you?  Do you have compassion for other people?

Psalm 41:1-13

Verse 1 says, "Oh the joys of those who are kind to the poor. The Lord rescues them in times of trouble."

Proverbs 10:15-16

Here, again, a theme emerges...The wealth of the rich is their fortress; the poverty of the poor is their calamity.

What would like to share today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton

February 24- Being a Scapegoat

February 24, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Leviticus 15:1-16:28; Mark 7:1-23;
Psalm 40:11-17; Proverbs 10:13-14

A good scapegoat is nearly as welcome as a solution to the problem.
 ~Anonymous

 

Leviticus 15:1-16:28

Counselors of family dynamics will tell you that many dysfunctional families have roles that people play within the family.  One child may be the hero, while the other child is the scapegoat.  The scapegoat child is the family member who is blamed and shamed for all that is wrong within the family unit.  That person serves as the target for abuse, ridicule, and bullying.  The scapegoat is ostracized and isolated emotionally because that person carries the burden for the problems of the group.

Today we see where the term "scapegoat" originated.  It was initially God's idea, and as you might have guessed, Jesus Christ is the scapegoat for our sins.

Before we deal with scapegoats, we will review chapter 15 that deals with instructions for sexually transmitted diseases.  Having used leprosy as an image of the outward results of sin, God now uses sexually transmitted diseases as a picture of the corrosion of internal sins of the heart.  Because sexual sins are for the most part hidden, the diseases associated with those sins represent the deep hidden attitudes that plague humanity.  This is a vivid and appropriate picture of the depravity that afflicts our hearts.  Here are some facts about sexually transmitted diseases:

• About 333 million new cases occur among young people around the world each year.
• One in five people in the US have an STD.
• One in four new STD infections occurs in teenagers.
• One in four people will have an STD at some point during his or her life.

Humans beings have a significant problem with sexual sin.  What is supposed to be a sacred act that reflects a spiritual truth about intimacy has become a vehicle for lust, licentiousness, and disease.  This physical reality is a picture of what is also occurring in the human heart.

The picture of the priest at the Tabernacle ceremonially cleansing the person with the STD is a picture of Christ cleansing the oozing, running, puss-filled corruption of our hearts.  The sacrifice of an animal is once again the innocent death provided for the unclean person.  The water is the purification needed for cleansing.  Jesus and the Holy Spirit are the blood and water that cleanse us today.

After this graphic and repulsive chapter, we come to the ceremony which requires mourning and sorrow for sin.  God gives Moses the instruction for observing the holiest day in the Jewish calendar- The Day of Atonement.  No other ritual speaks more clearly of the wide gulf between God's holiness and man's sinfulness.  This observance is the strongest picture of Christ's redemptive work on the cross.  This is the only day of the year that the High Priest will enter the Holy of Holies and be in the presence of God. 

First, the priest prepares himself by dressing in priestly garments that are like the regular priestly robes.  He sets aside the glory of his High Priest outfit to identify with the regular servants.  Christ shed his glory and took on human form to become our atonement for sin.  The priest would sacrifice a bull to cover his sins and the sins of his family.  The bull's blood would be sprinkled where the priest would be serving. The High Priest was to do this totally alone with no assistance.  Like Christ, who faced death alone with the sins of the world cast upon him, the High Priest performs this solitary act.

The Tabernacle was prepared by the sacrifice of a goat.  The goat's blood would be sprinkled on the mercy seat and before the mercy seat.  Remember, this is the only time of the year that this is done in the Holy of Holies.  This sin offering was for the sins of the whole community.  The blood of the bull and the goat allow the priest to be in the Holy place with his and the communities' sins covered by a blood sacrifice.  This is a picture of Christ's shed blood giving us access to a holy God through his death. 

Next, the remaining live goat is positioned so that the High Priest can lay hands on its head and transfer the sins of the nation onto the animal. A long confession of sins is given during this part of the ceremony.  Having just read the cleansing laws, this must have been a gruesome list!  The animal is then sent into the wilderness as the scapegoat.  The sins of the nation are cast away from the Holiness of God at the Tabernacle.  This pictures Jesus who was our scapegoat.  During his death and before his resurrection, Jesus endured separation from his Holy Father.  Our sins caused his isolation and desolation.   Jesus was cast into the spiritual wilderness of separation from the light of God's presence. The blame and shame of our sins was upon him. He was our family scapegoat.

The Day of Atonement fell on the tenth month on the seventh day.  Remember, the seventh day represents a day of rest. After the ritual, the priest would burn the remains of the animals, wash himself, and rest from his labors.  Jesus is our purification, our washing, and our rest.  He alone gives us access to the Holy of Holies, not just for one day of the year, but forever!

As it says in Psalm 103:12, "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."  And in Hebrews 4:16, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace in time of need."

Today, you and I have access to a Holy God because Jesus is our Day of Atonement.  Have you confessed your sins today?  Do you come into the presence of God with boldness and humility?

Mark 7:1-23

The religious leaders have created rituals that go beyond what Moses has recorded in the Law.  Today they are upset that Jesus and his disciples do not practice the washing rituals they have devised.  Jesus rebukes them for not keeping the actual Law that requires that you honor your father and mother, but instead, keep these man-made rituals. 

Jesus reiterates that a person is defiled not by what they put in their mouths, but what comes out of the heart.  Your thought-life is what defiles you.  These attitudes that bring about murder, envy, strife, immorality, wickedness, deceit, lust, slander, and pride.  This is what defiles a person.

Do you find yourself being legalistic about church attendance, clothing, the type of Bible people read, etc.?  These have nothing to do with actual Scriptural principles.  These are man-made rules that do not deal with the attitudes of the heart.  Jesus is in the business of dying for our internal sins.  He is also in the business of living for our sanctification!

Psalm 40:11-17

Vs. 11...my only hope is in your unfailing love and faithfulness.   Vs. 17 As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord is thinking about me right now.

Those verses are a summary of the Day of Atonement.

Proverbs 10:13-14

Wise people treasure knowledge.

What did you notice today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal

Kathy Fullerton

February 23- A Bird In the Hand Is Worth Two In the Bush

February 23, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Leviticus 14:1-57; Mark 6:30-56;
Psalm 40:1-10; Proverbs 10:11-12

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, two turtle doves.

-The Twelve Days of Christmas

Leviticus 14:1-57

Today we continue with the ceremonial cleansing of anyone who has been cured of leprosy.  It should be noted that what the priest performs in this chapter is not intended to cause the healing of the leprosy.  It is intended to be a sign. The priest is reacting. This ceremonial cleansing represents what Christ does for our sin in the following ways:

• The priest went to the victim for the ceremonial cleansing, rather than the victim going to the priest. Christ came to earth to deal with our sin. We do not go to God, He comes to us.
• The victim is an outcast from the community until this cleansing ceremony.  We are outcast from the family of God until Christ cleanses us from our unrighteousness.
• A turtle dove is killed in an earthen vessel that is overrunning with water.  Christ was killed in his body (an earthen vessel) that was filled with the Holy Spirit (overrunning with water).
• A living bird is dipped in the blood of the dead bird along with cedar, scarlet and hyssop.  Christ was resurrected and is alive after being sacrificed.  Cedar, scarlet and hyssop are pictures of the cross, which also speak of Christ's humanity. Hyssop is a disinfectant.
• The live bird is permitted to fly away to freedom.  Christ's resurrection gives us the ability to fly away from the death that our sin required.
• There is blood and water in this ceremony.  When Christ was pierced on the cross, both blood and water came out of his side.  The blood and the water represent his life and his spirit.

Friends, you and I have spiritual leprosy.  Christ's death and resurrection heal our spiritual leprosy. May Christ cleanse us of our disease.  May we be brought into the family of God through his cleansing sacrifice.

How does this ceremony reflect Christ's work in your life?

Mark 6:30-56

Things seem busy and crowded in Mark's gospel.  It is understandable that Jesus and the disciples would be getting into boats to find some space.  Today, Jesus performs the feeding of the five thousand.  He does this after the disciples have come back from their own ministry of miracles.  This pictures Christ's ability to provide for our needs.  The disciples could not begin to meet the needs of the people on the scale that Christ could.

Next, Jesus sends the disciples into a boat while he spends some time alone in prayer.  Notice that Christ fuels himself by spending time alone and by praying.  Do you ever carve out time to be alone and pray?  Do you ever fuel yourself spiritually?

He must have gotten some pretty good fuel, because the next thing he does is walk on water and save his disciples from a storm.  The winds calm down when Jesus gets in the boat. I don't know about you, but I want whatever he's fueling himself with! His prayer session and solitude continue to supply Jesus with miraculous power to heal all of the sick who swarm him when he gets to shore.

How do you get through the day spiritually?  Do you recognize prayer as a source of energy to heal your life?

Psalm 40:1-10

Use this psalm in prayer today.  Use this as fuel to make you spiritually strong. Notice in verses 6-10 the prophetic nature of the verses. This is the voice of Christ in Psalm 40:6-10.

You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings.
    Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand
    you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings.
 Then I said, “Look, I have come.
    As is written about me in the Scriptures:
I take joy in doing your will, my God,
    for your instructions are written on my heart.”

I have told all your people about your justice.
    I have not been afraid to speak out,
    as you, O Lord, well know.
I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart;
    I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power.
I have told everyone in the great assembly
    of your unfailing love and faithfulness.

Proverbs 10:11-12

Vs. 12  Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love covers a multitude of sins.  (Jesus' love covered all of my sins!)

What did you see today?  Please share.

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton