Leviticus 10:1-11  Reflecting on the first 9 chapters.. where all the law of the offerings were laid out, where the priests were anointed, and where the tent of meeting.. the tabernacle was consecrated.. and God's glory came down..  I once again rejoice in the fulfillment of every requirement in the death of our perfect Savior, the Lamb of God who was slain. 

 I have found myself thinking about the significance of these offerings.. and how they are reflected in our own worship.  We give praise and glory and thanks to our Father for the offering that He presented.. His only begotten Son.. who died for our transgressions.. who suffered in our place.. the Perfect Lamb of God.  He is the One who has made atonement for us that we might be forgiven and accepted by our Father.. like the burnt offering.  He is the One who is our Provider so that we might give a tithe from what He has provided.. like the grain offering.  When we give an offering..  to the Lord ...whether it is our money, our time,  or our service- from our hearts.. out of devotion and not duty.... it is like the grain offering.. seasoned with salt.. the salt of the covenant.. affirming our agreement, our pledge..our allegiance with our God.  Christ is our guilt offering, our peace offering, our sin offering..  and.. He is our Perfect High Priest.  Hallelujah!  What a Savior!

In chapter 10.. all the requirements have been laid out and the responsibilities have been turned over to Aaron and his sons.. 

"Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron took their respective fireman's, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the Lord, which He had no commanded them.  And fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord." 

They did not take the Word of the Lord seriously and  the two men were immediately punished for their failure to treat the Lord "as holy".   The Lord would not allow His Name to be treated in such a way that would dishonor Him before the people.  Like Cain.. they chose to offer something that they thought was a better choice than what God required. 

The bodies of the two men were removed from the camp by their cousins. 

Aaron and his two remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, were not allowed to leave the tent or mourn the loss of their family members.  The rest of the Israelites were permitted to mourn this loss. 

Then the Lord spoke directly to Aaron.. giving him this command,  "Do no drink wine or strong drink, neither you nor your sons with you, when you come into the tent of meeting, so that you may not die - it is a perpetual statute throughout your generations- and so as to make a distinction between the holy and the profane, and between the unclean and the clean..."

Was this what caused Nadab and Abihu to do what they did?  Had they been drunk? They failed to offer what was holy..  in fact the word "strange" could mean loathsome or profane.. foreign.  Far from what God commanded. 

Again we are reminded of the fact that our offerings before the Lord are to be pure.. holy.  We cannot offer anything of our own will or desire.. but only what God requires.. which He Himself provides through Jesus Christ the Lord.  We can  bring ourselves and offer our bodies.. our hearts.. our whole self before Him, with contrite hearts, with praise and thanksgiving.. for Jesus paid it all! He calls us to lay down our lives, take up our cross, and follow Him.. 

Our Father in heaven, let Your Name be hallowed and honored.. let Your will be done and Your kingdom come.  We ask for Your provision of daily bread and forgiveness of every trespass. We forgive those who have sinned against us. We ask for You to lead us in righteousness and not allow the temptations of this world to draw us from Your Presence. Deliver us from all evil we pray. In the name of our Perfect Savior, Jesus Christ we come. Amen. 

 Leviticus 8-9  Everything was ready.. the tabernacle finished and furnished; the high priest's and other priest's garments prepared.  Aaron and his sons were now set apart  to be consecrated for the work that the Lord commanded them to do. 

Moses followed closely all the commands that the Lord gave him..  Aaron and his sons were washed. They were clothed in the sacred garments. They offered the sin offering and the burnt offering for their atonement.  Moses anointed the tabernacle and the priests.  Aaron and his sons spent 7 days in the tabernacle to complete their ordination.. "just as the Lord commanded.. " 

On the eighth day Aaron started his new job.. The whole congregation was brought before the tabernacle and a sin offering and a burnt offering, along with a grain offering was presented before the Lord on behalf of all the people of Israel. "And Moses said, 'This is the thing which the Lord has commanded you to do, that the glory of the Lord may appear to you.' " ( 9:6)

Everything was done exactly to the Lord's commands.  When it was all complete, Aaron "lifted up his hands towards the people and blessed them..  Moses and Aaron went together into the tabernacle and when they came out they gave another blessing and " the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. "

"Then fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the portions of fat on the altar; and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces." (9:24)

We think about the law and the sacrifices that the people of Israel were commanded to do.. and frankly.. we are glad we do not have to do this anymore..  but, just think about the amazing privilege that they had.. to see..  with their physical eyes..  the "glory of the Lord" and the fire that just came and consumed the offerings.  Don't we long to see the glory of the Lord in such a way?   Sometimes we get just a glimpse.. while we worship together with our church family.. but nothing close to what these Israelites saw that day.  

And yet.. they stayed stubborn, complaining, and rebellious. It seems impossible that they could ever want anything.. or any other idol.. after experiencing such a profound meeting with the Almighty God! But, we know they did. 

And what about us?  Are we any different?  Paul wrote this in 2 Corinthians 3:18  "But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." We are given and opportunity to see God's glory in God's people, aren't we ?

  As we learn from the book of Hebrews.. we have a greater High Priest.. we have a greater covenant.. and we have a greater sacrifice.  We can draw near.. not to a tent..but to a Savior.  We "enter the holy place" instead of standing at the door.  We have  a new and living way.. through the blood and flesh of Jesus Christ.  Our hearts are "sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." (Hebrews 10:19-22)  We have a living hope.  We have the Spirit of God within us..  so "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." (v23)

Father in heaven, all glorious above.. keep us in the presence of Your glory.. continue to sanctify us through and through.. transforming us from "glory to glory".. to be the reflection of Jesus our Lord. Let Your will be done.. today.. in us we pray.. In His wonderful name. Amen. 

 Leviticus 6:8-7:38  This passage sums up the role of the priests in the offering of all the sacrifices.. the parts that are offered as a burnt offering,  the parts that are given to the priests as their food, and the place that those are to be eaten.   The Lord reminds them all that these offerings are "holy".  They must never be touched by anyone unclean.. and those who are clean and offer the sacrifice will be "consecrated". 

The law was given that the fire on the altar was to burn day and night (6:12-13)  There would be a continual offering rising up to the Lord as His people walked in obedience to His commands.  The burnt offerings, the grain offerings, the peace offering, the guilt offering.. and 7:37 includes one more.. the "ordination offering."  This would be the next thing as Aaron and his sons are consecrated to serve as priests.   Every offering was required for a purpose.. that sinful people could be made clean, and able to come to the God who loved them.. 

I am reminded once again that Jesus Christ accomplished the satisfaction of every Law.. every requirement that the sacrifice of lambs and bulls could not.  Because of His sacrifice on the cross.. we are accepted.. our atonement has been completed.. our lives are redeemed.. and we can come before Him with praise and thanksgiving... for we are the Lord's forever.  Jesus is the Perfect High Priest and the Perfect Lamb who was slain.  He is an amazing Savior and our glorious King. 

Amen. 

 Leviticus 5:1-6:7  This section describes what is called the "guilt offering" or "trespass offering".  Some of the sins listed here are intentional and some are done unknowingly.  Either way.. sin is sin.  There are no excuses.. but there is a way of restoration and reconciliation.. God has made a way for us to be forgiven!

There are many examples given here, but they are not exclusive..

v1.. a person who is called to testify.. whether he knows what happened or not.. but does not tell what he knows.. "will bear his guilt". 

v2-3 If a person touches something unclean.. even if he doesn't realize it.. is still unclean.  When he realizes it.. "he will be guilty". 

v4  A person who makes an oath.. " thoughtlessly... to do evil or to do good"..  will be guilty. 

"So it shall be when he becomes guilty in one of these, that he shall confess that in which he has sinned." 

Then.. a guilt offering is required. It could be a female lamb, two turtledoves or pigeons, or if he cannot afford even that.. a measure of flour. Whatever he can afford he would need to bring it to the priest and offer it as a sin offering and "he shall be forgiven". 

There were different instructions for  actions of unfaithfulness when a person sinned against the Lord's holy things or against another person. This required a ram without defect according to the value required by the priests.  This was required even if the person didn't want to do harm intentionally..he would still be guilty... he would still need atonement. 

In 6:1-7 there are examples of sins that required not only the guilt offering but restoration to the person offended.. either by robbery or extortion; deception; a lie about something that belonged to the other.  In any case, there needed to be repayment plus one-fifth more added to the restitution.. plus the guilt offering. 

In all of these cases we see that God is quite aware of our guilt even if we are not.. and He will make us aware of it so that we can seek atonement and forgiveness for our guilt. 

Perhaps this is why Jesus taught us to pray.. "forgive us our trespasses".. on a regular basis.. for we may have sinned against someone without realizing it.. or we may have sinned against God's holy commands and been unfaithful.. unintentionally.   Oh how we need the Savior to lead us into all righteousness! 

Father, You are our Mighty God who sees all things.. who looks upon our hearts.. who hears everything that we say.. and You know that we need the covering of the blood of Christ which cleanses us from all our sins.  Forgive us our sins.. our debts.. our trespasses we pray.. in the name of Jesus Christ..  Praise You Father.. for Your  mercies ... that You have provided are new every morning! Thank You.. all honor and glory and power are Yours forever and ever! Amen. 

 Leviticus 4 This passage describes the law for the "sin offering"..  Verse 2 says that this refers to those who "unintentionally" sin... sin that is done in ignorance or inadvertence... a mistake or error that breaks the law of God but without evil intent or rebellion.  

There are specific instructions for specific people:  1. For anointed priests. 2. For the whole congregation. 3. For a leader. 4. For a "common" person.

Verses 3-12 describe the steps needed for the atonement of a priest who sins and thus brings "guilt on the people".   He has to bring a bull without defect.  He would lay his hand on the bull at the doorway of the tabernacle. He would slay it and dip his finger in the blood, sprinkling "some of the blood seven times before the Lord in front of the veil of the sanctuary."  The rest of the blood is poured at the base of the altar, all the fat is offered as a burnt offering. The hide, the head, the legs and the entrails of the bull are taken "outside the camp" and burned there.   The writer of Hebrews refers to this sacrifice:

Hebrews 13:11-13 says this.. "For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin are burned outside the camp.  Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Hence, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. " 

Verses 13-20 describe the offering given when the congregation as a whole "commits error and the matter escapes the notice of the assembly and they commit any of the things which the Lord has commanded not to be done, and they become guilty: when the sin becomes known... "  This time a bull is once again offered but it is the responsibility of the elders.. who lay their hands on the head of the bull.  The blood is again sprinkled in front of the veil by the priest, then some is put on the horns of the altar, the rest poured out at the base, and the fat offered up as a burnt offering. The rest is the same.. the hide, head, and legs removed outside the camp and burned.  "So the priest shall make atonement for them and they shall be forgiven." 

Verses 22-26 describe the offering for a leader/ruler who unintentionally sins. This time a male goat is required for the offering. He must bring it to the altar, lay his hand on its head and slay it.  The priest would take some blood and put it on the horns of the altar and the rest is poured out at the base.  All the fat is offered up on the altar as a burnt offering.  "Thus the priest shall make atonement for him in regard to his sin, and he shall be forgiven." 

Verses 27-35 give the instructions for the unintentional sin of the "common people".  This offering had to be an unblemished, female goat or lamb. When the person realizes his sin he would bring the sacrifice, lay his hand on its head,  and slay it at the altar. Again, the priest would take some blood and put it on the horns of the altar, pour the rest at the base, and burn up all the fat.  "Thus the priest shall make atonement for him in regard to his sin which he committed and he shall be forgiven." 

How often do we sin.. "unintentionally" or in "ignorance",,?  Perhaps more than we would like to admit.  The important thing to know is that when we realize it.. confess it.. and repent of it.. we have a Savior who has already made atonement for us!  We shall be forgiven!  Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Father, how perfect are Your Ways and how wonderful is the salvation that we have in Christ Jesus who has made a way for us to be forgiven and cleansed . We have a glorious Savior and we give our thanks and praise and glory to His Name.  Jesus went outside the camp.. for us.  Thank You Lord!  Keep us Father, from all sin.. unintentional or intentional.  Keep us from temptation and lead us in Your ways of righteousness we pray..in Jesus' name . Amen. 

 Leviticus 3  This chapter gives the law for the "peace offering".  Chapter 7 gives us some more information about this sacrifice which can be either an offering of "thanksgiving" or a " votive or freewill offering".  Like all offerings to the Lord the animal offered must not have any defects, the blood is sprinkled around the altar and the fat is offered up by fire.  The offering could be a male or female sheep or goat or cow/ox.

At the end of chapter 3 they were given a strict command.. "It is perpetual statute throughout your generation in all your dwellings: you shall not eat any fat or any blood." 

In chapter 7 we find out that certain portions of the peace or fellowship offering would be given to the priests but the rest could be eaten by the family of the person offering the sacrifice.  If it was given as an offering of thanksgiving it would be accompanied by unleavened or leavened cakes. (verses11-15)  If it was a a "votive or a freewill offering".. an offering that was given as a vow.. or for some other reason,  the portion left after the blood and fat were offered, could be eaten that day or the next.  Anything left over had to be burned up. 

Again, they were told to not eat any of the fat or blood of any manner. 

There was one more important command about the offering of the peace offering.. it could only be offered at the tabernacle.. never in an open field.  This was a warning against idolatry since the pagans would offer their own sacrifices to the idols that they worshipped in that way..  The Israelites could too easily fall into playing "the harlot" by offering sacrifices to the "goat demons" (17:5-7) 

So, what can we learn from this?  Every offering and sacrifice was given for the purpose that God willed for His chosen people. It brought them into a deeper relationship or fellowship with Him.  We know that every one of these sacrifices were fulfilled in the cross of Jesus Christ.  He is the One who brings us into the True and Perfect fellowship with our God.  It is through Christ that we have True Peace.. True fellowship with our heavenly Father.  We do not bring an offering of blood because the blood of Jesus Christ has been offered.. once for all.. as we read in the book of Hebrews.  We are now able to bring a daily sacrifice or praise and thanksgiving.. through the One who died for us!

Father in heaven, we are so thankful for such a Savior! We praise the One who became the perfect Lamb of God.. who has brought us into the family of God.. making a way that the blood of a lamb or ox never could. How thankful we are for the mercy You have poured out upon us in Jesus Christ.  We willingly bring the only sacrifice that we can.. presenting our bodies as "a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God.. "  (Romans 12:!) We come with gratitude for the atonement for our sins through the cross of our Lord. We bring our tithes and offerings.. as a pledge and commitment of devotion to You alone. Keep us in Truth by Your word and Your Spirit we pray.. in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen. 

 Leviticus 2  A grain offering can be offered in many forms.. ( keep reading.. it is not as simple as it might seem) 

It can be fine flour with oil and frankincense poured on top of it.. where the priest takes a handful of the flour and oil and all of the frankincense and offers it up in the smoke of the altar.  The rest of the flour and oil belongs to Aaron and his sons "a thing most holy of the offerings to the Lord by fire." vs 1-2

The flour and oil can be made in an oven.. baked into unleavened cakes or wafers and offered that way. v4

The flour and oil and be mixed together and cooked on a griddle, broken into bits and offered. v5

Or, the flour and oil can be cooked in a pan.. v7

No matter which way the worshipper brings the grain offering... it is brought to the priest who offers a "memorial portion" to burn on the altar and the remainder provides food for the priests. 

The grain offering can never have leaven or honey... but it must always include an offering of salt.  "Every grain offering of yours, moreover, you shall season with salt so that the salt of the covenant of your God shall not be lacking from your grain offering;" 

A grain offering was used for the celebration of "first fruits" one of the yearly feasts that the Lord commanded.  Perhaps it was given at other times too..  

Verse 14 adds another way that the grain can be offered as a "early ripened" offering.. The person would bring "fresh heads of grain roasted in the fire, grits of new growth, for the grain offering of your early ripened things." These "grits... are covered with incense".. and offered up in smoke. 

These grain offerings were to be unleavened and unsweetened.. uncorrupted.  They were offered with salt.. a preservative.  The grain would be a result of each man's labor.. the work of his hands.. provided by God's gift of fruitfulness... for He provides the rain and the sun. the soil and the seed. It is bringing back to God what He has blessed you with.  In the case of the first fruits it would show thankfulness for the beginning for the harvest and trust for the rest of the harvest. 

Some of the grain offering is burned by fire and some would provide for the priests.. those who ministered before the Lord.  In the same way, we bring a tithe to the Lord.. uncorrupted gifts from our labor.  We cannot get money from unholy sources and think that it is holy enough for the Lord. He does not want it!  Likewise we are to bring our offering with "salt"..  Jesus tells us that we are the "salt of the earth".. and that unsalty salt is worthless. Salt has value and worth.. Mark 9:49-50 tells us that "everyone will be salted with fire".  Jesus says to " have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other."  It is referring to this requirement in Leviticus that every grain offering include salt.  In Lev. 2:13 it speaks of " the salt of the covenant"..  It is an offering that  symbolizes a pledge.. a treaty.. an agreement.. of devotion to God. 

When we write a check or give online as a tithe to our church.. a gift or offering to the Lord... we need to consciously and deliberately consider the meaning that this can and should  have..  If we give out of duty and not devotion we miss the point!  We come with the fruit of our labors.. with honest, undefiled gifts  and with devoted hearts.. confirming our covenant with our Lord.  This is worship to our God who has given His all to us. This is an offering acceptable to the Lord... for it is from our whole being.  As Romans 12:1 says.. " ... present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice , acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." 

Father, we desire to honor Your holy Name, to do Your will, and to seek Your Kingdom and righteousness.  We ask for daily bread, for You are our Provider.. and we offer to You gifts from what You have provided.. cheerfully and with thanksgiving!  "Teach us Your ways O Lord.. that we might live according to Your truth. Grant us purity of heart that we might honor Your name.". ( Psalm 86:11) Forgive us for giving money just out of obligation or out of any self-serving motives..  and help us to give our whole selves to You along with our tithes and offerings.  We ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.   Amen. 

 Leviticus 1   This book sometimes is met with a groan or a sigh.. It is a book of laws.. civil laws, ceremonial laws.. moral laws.. and religious laws.  A book that lays out the duties of the Levites.. God's chosen ministers.  This book explains the need for offerings.. making clear the Holiness of God and the sinfulness of mankind.. and showing a way for forgiveness and reconciliation between the two.  It is a hard book to read.. but is so important to do so for it is God's holy Word and He actively and powerfully speaks through every chapter. 

The book begins with the law for burnt offerings.  These offerings were brought by anyone... freely offered for the purpose of "atonement".  It could be a bull, a sheep or goat, or a bird.. according to whatever the man could provide.  Verse 3 and verse 10 tell us that the animal must be "without defect" and it must be a male bull or sheep.  Then the man would place his hand on the animal's head "that it may be accepted for him to make atonement on his behalf." ( v4)

The man would then kill the animal and give it to the priests who would sprinkle the blood around the altar and burn the pieces of it on the altar, giving care to arrange the pieces appropriately.  The entrails and legs were washed before being offered.  When all of the animal was burned up it became a "soothing aroma to the Lord". 

The offering of a turtledove or pigeon was a little different, for the priest actually killed the bird himself, removed the crop and the feathers and split the bird open without cutting it apart.  It was then offered completely on the altar. 

God accepted this offering for the atonement of the person who brought it.  Atonement means to "cover, appease, cleanse, or purge".. It is taking one's sin and transferring it onto the head of the offering so that God would consider the one who gave it willingly would be considered holy and accepted by Him.  In the same way we come to Jesus, placing all of our sin and guilt on the Lamb who was slain... whose blood was shed and body broken for us. 

We are accepted and approved by God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ the Son.  Our Father accepts us because we have a perfect offering.. Jesus Christ.  Atonement through Christ removes a barrier between me and my God.  As I put my faith in Jesus.. in His atonement sacrifice.. I am accepted and approved, for God declared His offering to be acceptable.. to satisfy the debt that I owe. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross paid the price in full! 

Father in heaven, we thank You for the perfect Lamb of God who takes away the sins of all who will place their hands on Him by faith... acknowledging our guilt and sin and recognizing our need for the acceptable atoning offering that is only in Christ Jesus the Lord.  You are satisfied with His sacrifice and all barriers are removed between all who will believe and You.. our Lord and our God.  We give praise and thanks for such grace and love!  You have shown us mercy when we have never deserved such kindness.  Thank You Jesus! Amen. 

  Matthew 27:1-10  Judas.... the disciple.. the brother..  the betrayer.  Judas "saw that He had been condemned.. felt remorse.. "  The Word tells us that Judas returned the 30 pieces of silver.. confessed his sin for "betraying innocent blood" and "went away and hanged himself." 

This is such a sad passage.  Judas wanted to undo what he had done.. but could not.  He tried to pay for his own sins.. but could not.  He did not turn back to Jesus.  He did not cry out to the Lord. He knew his own guilt and took his own life.  This fulfilled prophecy.. but it produced great sorrow.  

We do not know why Judas did what he did. We do not know what he had hoped would happen.. Was he trying to force Jesus to declare His Kingship?  Was he just unhappy and discontent with the way things were happening?  What is so sad is that this man had every opportunity to live.. to repent.. to believe.. but he turned away from it all. 

We might know people like that in our lives.  People who know the gospel.. that may have even walked with Jesus at one time..but who are unhappy.. discontent.. impatient.. and unwilling to believe.   We are all in danger of straying off the narrow way.. of losing hope.. of giving up.  But.. Jesus tells us to persevere.. to endure.. to hold on..  the day is coming when all of the Words of prophecy will be fulfilled.. and Jesus will come to take us home.. so let's hold on!

Father, You are the God who gives perseverance and encouragement... grant us a pure heart that will cling to Jesus no matter what we are facing. Draw us near to Your heart and fill us with hope and faith and love as we await that wonderful day when we will be forever in Your Presence. Come Lord Jesus! Amen.

 Matthew 27:1-10  Judas.... the disciple.. the brother..  the betrayer.  Judas "saw that He had been condemned.. felt remorse.. "  The Word tells us that Judas returned the 30 pieces of silver.. confessed his sin for "betraying innocent blood" and "went away and hanged himself." 

This is such a sad passage.  Judas wanted to undo what he had done.. but could not.  He tried to pay for his own sins.. but could not.  He did not turn back to Jesus.  He did not cry out to the Lord. He knew his own guilt and took his own life.  This fulfilled prophecy.. but it produced great sorrow.  

We do not know why Judas did what he did. We do not know what he had hoped would happen.. Was he trying to force Jesus to declare His Kingship?  Was he just unhappy and discontent with the way things were happening?  What is so sad is that this man had every opportunity to live.. to repent.. to believe.. but he turned away from it all. 

We might know people like that in our lives.  People who know the gospel.. that may have even walked with Jesus at one time..but who are unhappy.. discontent.. impatient.. and unwilling to believe.   We are all in danger of straying off the narrow way.. of losing hope.. of giving up.  But.. Jesus tells us to persevere.. to endure.. to hold on..  the day is coming when all of the Words of prophecy will be fulfilled.. and Jesus will come to take us home.. so let's hold on!

Father, You are the God who gives perseverance and encouragement... grant us a pure heart that will cling to Jesus no matter what we are facing. Draw us near to Your heart and fill us with hope and faith and love as we await that wonderful day when we will be forever in Your Presence. Come Lord Jesus! Amen.

 Matthew 26 The time was coming.. Jesus tells His disciples.. "You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be delivered up for crucifixion." 

The priests and elders "plotted together".

Jesus was anointed with the precious oil.

Judas made his bargain. 

They ate the last Passover meal together. 

They went to the garden. 

Jesus prayed and surrendered to the Father's will. 

The betrayal was completed. 

The first trial was held and the verdict was given. 

Peter denied Jesus. 

We are familiar with the details of these events.  We know that every detail was directed by the Father's will. The Scriptures were fulfilled.. perfectly.  Jesus would give His blood.. that sins would be forgiven.  Jesus said, " Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins." 

Covenant.. testament.  It is the arrangement that God made with us sealed in the blood of our Savior.  When someone prepares for their death they draw up a "last will and testament".. so that their property will be given over to their heirs.  It is a legal document with specific purposes.  Jesus is making this covenant with mankind.. giving His blood for the purpose of fulfilling the will of God.. the forgiveness of sin. With His death.. His body broken and His blood shed.. we are given life.. saved from the wrath that we deserve.

Hallelujah!  What a Savior!

Amen. 

Matthew 25: 31-46 The conversation began with the disciples asking about the time of Christ's return.. and Jesus has been giving them instructions.. to be alert.. to be ready.. to be faithful.. to take responsibility for the work He has given them to do.  Now, He tells them the end result..  "But, when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne." 

Before His throne every nation will come.. and He will separate the "sheep from the goats".  Those who are "righteous" will be put on His right side.  They are the ones who have been faithful.. they fed the hungry, gave water to the thirsty, visited the sick and the imprisoned, and clothed the naked.  In other words.. they loved others as Jesus did.. "Truly I say to you to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even to the least of them, you did it to Me." 

But, those who failed to show compassion or kindness to even one.. Jesus said they should depart from Him.. be accursed.. and enter the eternal fire.. for they did nothing for Him in their lifetime. 

It is our calling.. our responsibility to be found faithfully doing the work that Jesus has given us to do.. the "good works" prepared for us to do ( Ephesians 2:10)  

Father in heaven, help us to love You with all of our hearts and souls and minds and strength.. and to love our neighbors as ourselves.  May we be filled with Your Spirit, walking in Your light and love.. showing that love to all we can as we walk with You in this lifetime.  We are Your sheep and we desire to be busy doing those things that You have told us to do.. showing mercy and compassion to those in need.  Help us to live this way.. in service to our Lord Jesus. Amen. 

 Matthew 25:14-30 We call this the parable of the talents. Jesus is teaching about the kingdom of God. He compares it here to a master of an estate.  This man goes on a long journey and leaves his slaves in charge of his possessions.... he "entrusted his possessions to them..."  

I've never really thought about how courageous this is.. to surrender your possessions.. your wealth and property into the care of servants or slaves.  This seems like it would be very unusual.  It would be more reasonable to leave the care of your estate in the hands of a son or relative, or perhaps a paid manager .  But, this man trusts his slaves!  Just as our heavenly Father entrusts us.. His servants... with His kingdom here on earth.. that's pretty amazing... 

Jesus points out three particular servants in this parable.  He entrusts the three of them with a significant amount of "talents".. money. According to the Thayer Lexicon a talent of silver weighed about 100 pounds and a talent of gold would weigh about 200 pounds.  He distributed these funds "according to" the ability of each man... and then he left. 

The first slave received 5 talents.  "Immediately.. [he] went and traded with them, and gained five more talents."  The second man received 2 talents and traded with them to make 2 more talents.  These two servants and called "good and faithful" and given positions of authority in the master's house. 

It is the third slave that Jesus emphasizes in this parable.  This man only received 1 talent.  This is still a significant responsibility.. 100 pounds of silver!  But, instead of using the money to further the wealth of the master he is afraid.. so he buries it in the ground until the master returns.  Then he digs it up and brings it back to the master.  He has not taken advantage of the trust that the master has put in him. He knew that the master could "reap where he did not sow and gather where he had not scattered any seed."  He knew that the master had trusted him with this but he did not work to serve the master with it.  The master calls him "wicked and lazy". He could have at least put the talent to work earning interest if nothing else... but he did nothing at all. And.. he ends up with nothing.. for the master takes the talent and gives it the the first slave who had proven his worth.  The third slave is "cast out.. into the outer darkness; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."  A place of anguish and despair. 

Jesus is speaking these parables about the Kingdom to His disciples.  He was leaving the kingdom in their hands.. entrusting them with all that is His.  He would give each of them responsibilities according to their abilities.  They were called to be "good and faithful" servants of what He gave them. What did He give them?   The good news.. the gospel.. the Truth.. the kingdom,  What did they do with it?  They preached the gospel wherever they went.. and history tells us that most of them traveled far and wide to reach their world with the good news of Jesus!  Only one.. Judas.. would fail to serve Him. 

Which makes me take a look at my own responsibility to share the good news of Jesus.  Am I being faithful with what my Master has given to me..according to my own abilities?  Oh how I want to! 

Oh Father in heaven,  I pray that I might serve You faithfully.. to accomplish all that You desire for me.  I know that I need Your Spirit every moment of every day to show me and help me to be faithful and good. May Your will be done and Your name glorified in my life today..  Bless Your church, Lord Jesus, with good and faithful servants who will take the gifts You give them and bring forth a great harvest of souls into Your Kingdom..  we ask this in Your mighty name. Amen. 

 Matthew 25 :1-13

The parable of the ten virgins is a story about a wedding feast. The young women are given the task of waiting for and announcing the coming of  the bridegroom.  The time is never exactly known so the girls get ready and bring their lamps to burn through the night as needed.  We are told that half of these girls came well prepared with extra oil, while the other half did not.  All of the girls dozed off as the night fell and the groom had not come yet.  It was at midnight that the shouts were heard.. calling the girls out to meet him on his way. 

Now, the girls that brought the extra oil were ready. They trimmed their lamps, refilled the oil, and were good to go.  But, the other girls had to go purchase more oil,  for their lamps were going out.  By the time they were able to get more oil and return to the wedding feast, it was too late.  The doors were closed and they were not granted access. 

The sad result of this situation is that these 5 young women would never be allowed into the place of joy and happiness. The "lord" of the house said, "I do not know you."  All because they were not ready.. not prepared.. not alert..  They are like the evil slaves in the last parable.. not found being faithful for the coming One... 

It seems harsh to us, doesn't it?  After all they waited with the other girls.  They did have lamps.. but just because they ran out of oil.. why couldn't they come in a bit later?   But.. Jesus is talking about the kingdom of heaven here.. and about His coming.  He wants us to be alert and ready for that day even though we do not know the "day nor the hour"..  He wants us to be shining His Light every day and every night so that we will be ready no matter when He comes. 

Oil is often associated with the Holy Spirit when we read the Word.  Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:18 that we need to be "filled with the Spirit"..  We have learned that this means to be continually kept filled... with the Spirit of God.. walking in the Spirit.. praying in the Spirit.. conformed to the will of God by His Spirit. Only then, can we be alert, ready, prepared, and enduring until the day when the Bridegroom Comes.

An old Sunday School song comes to mind ... "Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning!  Give me oil in my lamp, I pray!  Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning, burning, burning.. Burning til the break of day!"

Father in heaven, fill us once again.. continually fill us with Your Holy Spirit so that we might be found faithful and ready for the return of our Lord Jesus. Amen. 

 Matthew 24:29-51 

Jesus uses prophecies from Isaiah , Daniel, and Zechariah to tell His disciples what will happen after the great tribulation.. 

The sun, moon, and stars will stop bringing light to the earth.

There will be a "sign" in the sky and all the earth will see Jesus "coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory".. and they will mourn. 

The angels will sound "a great trumpet" and all of God's people will be gathered "from one end of the sky to the other." 

Jesus tells us again to stay "alert"..  We can recognize the coming of fruit on a fig tree.. and we need to pay attention to the events so we can also  recognize when "He is near, right at the door." 

 The exact day and hour is known only to the Father, Jesus tells us.  Life will be "just like the days of Noah".. people doing the things that people always do.. "eating.. drinking.. marrying.. " We "do not know which day your Lord is coming.. But be sure of this.. " He says.  If you knew when the thief was coming to rob you, you would be ready for him.. "for this reason, be ready too for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will. " 

Since we don't know when He will return, Jesus exhorts us to just be ready. .Be found faithfully doing what He tells us to do.  be "faithful and sensible.." 

Jesus said, "Heaven and earth will pass away but My words shall not pass away."  He is coming again.. He is near.. waiting at the door.. and we must be ready, faithfully living every day as His servants, staying true to His calling.. running the race set before us to the honor and glory of His Name. 

Father in heaven, we cling to the True Vine, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. We seek to abide in Jesus and in the Word.. ready for the day when He returns or takes us home.  We do not know the day or hour of that Great Day.. nor do we know the day of our own passing on from this mortal life.  We want to be ready and enduring to the end.. Help us.. for You are our Help.. and we rest in You to accomplish all of Your good will and purposes for us and in us.. for this we thank You Lord. amen. 

 Matthew 24:1-28   The disciples ask Jesus about the day of His coming at the "end of the age".  This is a question we would all like answered!  

Jesus begins His answer, not with a date or time but  with a very important warning. ."See to it that no one misleads you."  More important than a date and time.. is the need to be aware.  In verse 42 He says, " .. be on the alert" and in verse 44 He says.. " be ready".  All that Jesus reveals about those days before He comes again are hard to hear..  the false christs.. the wars and rumors of wars.. the famines and earthquakes.. the tribulations, the lawlessness.. the lack of faith and the lack of love. But. we need to pay attention to them. 

"But the one who endures to the end he shall be saved." Jesus encourages us, for the "gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all nations and then the end shall come." Don't be mislead.. don't be frightened..  and don't give up.. this is what Jesus wants His followers to know. 

With that warning in place, Jesus goes on to tell the disciples some details of those coming days.. 

There will be "the abomination of desolation.. standing in the holy place"  just as Daniel prophesied. 

There will be such trouble that people will run to the mountains.. "for there will be a great tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall."  It will be a time so terrible that no one would be left.. except by the grace of God.. for He will cut those days short..   Still even in this terrible time of trouble there will be false prophets and false messiahs.. Be warned.. be alert.. don't be fooled. When Jesus comes there will be no doubt "For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be." v27

Father in heaven, give to us ears to hear and heed the warnings of  Jesus.. may we be alert and aware.. unpersuaded by the false words and schemes of the evil one.  May we continue in the Truth and endure until that day when we are finally with You forever.  Keep us in Your Hand where no one can ever snatch us away! In Christ Jesus we come and ask these things. amen.