John 2  Two events are recorded in this chapter - the turning of the water into wine and the cleansing of the temple in Jerusalem.

We are told that the first miracle of Jesus happened because of Mary's request.  Even though Jesus says that His time had not yet come and the problem was not their concern, He did what His mother requested.  The result was miraculous and we are told that His disciples began to "trust in him" as His glory was manifested.

Jesus went up to Jerusalem for the Passover.  The first thing He sees are the merchants on the Temple grounds.  "Zeal for your house will devour me."   is a quote from Psalm 69.   The rest of that verse says, " .. and on me are falling the insults of those insulting you."   For God's temple to be treated as a market with animals and money-changers, perhaps defrauding or cheating the people as well - is a great insult and reproach against God.

Going back to Leviticus, still fresh on my mind, I think of how such detailed instructions were given to preserve the holiness of the tabernacle.  None of those laws or procedures were being followed in the time of Jesus. No wonder Israel was in the state it was.. under Roman rule and no longer receiving God's blessings.

What can we learn from this?  The glory of Jesus has been manifested to us... perhaps not as it was to the disciples.. but through His Word. We can trust Him with every need.  We need to be better at asking... 

Also, Jesus still calls His people to holy living.  We don't have a tabernacle or temple, but we have His Word, His church, and His body.  We are commanded to be holy and that command still stands.  We find holiness in believing in and receiving the holiness of Christ our Lord.  May we pray and ask the Lord to help us, filling us continually with His Holy Spirit.

Father, we surrender our lives to You.  Come and lead us in righteous paths, moment by moment and day by day.  We ask You for daily bread and for daily forgiveness of our transgressions.  We pray for deliverance from temptations and from the evil one.  We seek to live in Your ways and pray for Your power to do so.  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

John 1
It is always interesting to read Scripture in a new translation from what you are used to... reading from this Complete Jewish Bible is very enlightening.  Lots of footnotes and added commentary adds to what I have read many, many times.. and as always the Lord speaks through His Word.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God."   God spoke creation into being.. "This expressing, this speaking , this 'Word' is God."  the commentary says. The Word - the speaking of God has always existed... but "the Word became flesh"  Jesus, Yeshua, was God, giving up His glory he had with the Father, emptying Himself.. to become a man.

John says, "The Word became a human being and lived with us, and we saw his Sh'khinah, " His glory, "the Sh'khinah of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth." 

The Sh'khinah glory - that filled the tabernacle - God's Presence in the middle of Israel, as we read in Leviticus - in the center of their uncleanness - "The Sh'khinah is brought to its fulness with the incarnation of Yeshua in John 1:14"

"But to as many as did receive him, to those who put their trust in his person and power, he gave the right to become children of God, not because of bloodline, physical impulse or human intention, but because of God."  ( v12-13)

John recognized and bore witness that this man, who walked on the river's edge, "is the Son of God". 
He saw the Holy Spirit come upon Jesus.  He knew that Jesus was "God's lamb."  He proclaimed that Jesus was above his rank.. that He came after but was before him..  He recognized his own smallness, proclaiming "I'm not good enough even to untie His sandal.. "  And, he watched as his own followers turned and followed Jesus.

Father in heaven, what an amazing Truth that we read and ponder.. in awe!  God's Son.. the Word of God, became flesh and dwelt here on earth.  We believe the testimony of John and the apostles.  We receive Jesus and put our trust in Him.  He is our salvation and we are so thankful.  Keep us walking in the grace and truth of Jesus Christ we pray, in His name, Amen.

Leviticus 24:1-9  The Lord told Moses to order the people to "bring you pure oil from crushed olives for the light, to keep lamps burning always."    This strikes me anew - pure oil; crushed olives; light continually.  Oil was used for anointing and for burning.  The light was to be kept burning all through the night. Did God need light?  No... but He ordained that the lamp be kept - "always" in order.  Jesus said, "I am the light of the world".   He was "crushed for our iniquities".   His Light will rise and on that day we will no longer need the sun or the moon.. for He will be our Light forever.  May His Kingdom come!

Verses 10-23 tell of a young man who got into a fight in the camp and used the Lord's name as a curse.  The consequence for this offense was death.  Jesus taught us to pray to the Father "..hallowed be Your Name.."  In a world that has no respect for the holiness of our God's name, may we understand more fully the gravity of this offense against Him.  This young man was taken out of the camp and stoned to death. Think about that...

Chapter 25 teaches the law about resting the land on the 7th year and about the year of jubilee - the 50th year.  The Lord says.. " the land belongs to me - you are only foreigners and temporary residents with me" (verse 23)  Because of this, the Lord instructed His people to follow His instructions and expect His provisions.  If only they had... What a great reminder that all we have and all we are belongs to Him. We are also foreigners and sojourners with Him. Lord, let Your will be done in our lives and land.

Chapter 26

God's promises for obedience are phenomenal - the land will produce, the trees will be fruitful, the rains will be sufficient..the people will eat all they want, have secure borders, and have peace. God would walk among them and they would be the righteous people of God.  Peace, prosperity, and perfect fellowship with Adonai...

But, the consequences for disobedience are also spelled out - war; disease; famine; exile;
We know that this is what happened in Israel, over and over again. But, God still gives them an option: " But if their uncircumcised hearts will grow humble, and they  are paid the punishment of their misdeeds; then I will remember my covenant.. " 

Chapter 27 seems tacked on at the end of theses laws and regulations.  It establishes the rules for redemption - of people, land, or animals.

Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.  May we learn more of You that we may grasp the great holiness of Your Name and may we be obedient to Your Word.  Thank You for establishing these truths for Your people and to teach us Your ways.   Your ways are perfect.  We are not.  But, we are so thankful for the One who came to redeem us!  Praise to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  It is in His name that we come before You and humbly confess our sins and seek Your blessings according to Your holy word.  Lead us in Your righteous paths and deliver us from all evil, we pray. Amen.

Leviticus 21  - Adonai gave specific instructions for the priests.  They were held to a higher standard because of the greater importance of their responsibilities.  They were "set apart as holy".   These instructions included how they lived, who they married, how they cut their hair and beards,  and whose funerals they could attend.  Everything was governed by the fact that God made them holy.

Leviticus 22 continued this emphasis on holiness, teaching that even the things they touched were subject to whether the thing was holy or unclean.  There are also instructions here about the nature of the sacrifices, especially that they were perfect and acceptable.. " I am to be regarded as holy among the people of Israel; I am Adonai, who makes you holy....." 

Leviticus 23 includes the instructions for the Sabbath and the Holy feasts and ceremonies that Israel would observe.  These days are God's "designated times" according to the Complete Jewish Bible.
There was the celebration of Firstfruits,- a spring celebration of the barley harvest;
 Pentecost- 50 days later would celebrate the first-fruits of the wheat harvest.
 Rosh-Hashanah was set apart for remembering and regathering, a day for repentance and self-evaluation;  leading up to -
Yom Kippur - The day set aside for atonement- the most holy day.

When the temple was destroyed in 70 AD, there was a change in how the people of Israel could observe these designated times of Adonai.  Yet, there is still a yearning and hope for the rebuilding of the Temple one day. Holy vessels and priest's garments have been prepared. That day will come. Maybe soon.

Father in heaven, we give thanks to You for all that You provide.  You give the rain and sunshine that food may grow and be harvested.  You give to us daily bread and we thank You.  Thank You for the Living Bread,  for Jesus Christ who is the One who makes us holy as He lives in us who believe in Him. Teach us to take time to remember, to regather, to repent, and to find renewal in You day by day. We long for the day when we will see You face to face and truly understand what holiness really means.  Thank you for the truth of Your Word that teaches us so much about who You are.  We give all praise and honor to You.  In Jesus' name. amen.

Leviticus 19-20 Over and over again the message is clear - God is holy and He demands that His people be holy.  Every law and every regulation given to Israel was for the express purpose of teaching them what God considers holy and what He considers unclean or sinful.

Chapter 19 spells out these truths for God's people:

They are to respect and revere their parents.
They are to keep the Sabbath.
They are to offer the sacrifices "in a way that will make [them] accepted."
They are to leave some of the fruit or harvest for the poor.
They must not steal, defraud, oppress, or rob their neighbors.
They must practice justice without prejudice .
They are to love their neighbors as themselves.
They are to love foreigners who come to live with them, as themselves also.
They are to use honest business practices and measures.

Chapter 20 teaches the consequence for offering a child to Molekh, or for sexual immorality or for sorcery of any kind  - and it is death. The people of God were meant to be consecrated and set apart for the One who is their God - Adonai.

The person who did these sins would be sentenced to death.  It was the responsibility of the whole community to see that judgement would be carried out.   Adonai said, "... I have set you apart from the other peoples so that you can belong to me. " ( v26b)

This is God's desire for all of us - to belong to Him.  He has not changed the requirements - He still demands holiness for His people.  The regulations given here are still important, even though we know that keeping them is not what saves us, for we are saved by believing in and receiving  Jesus Christ as our Savior.  His blood washes us clean and His Spirit in us makes us holy.  We still have a responsibility to live pure lives, to love our neighbors as ourselves, and to walk in righteousness.

The old testament covenant was broken by the people of Israel , but we have a new covenant through Jesus Christ. "This is the covenant which I will make with them after those days, says Adonai: I will put my Torah on their hearts, and write it on their minds... and their sins and their wickednesses I will remember no more." ( Hebrews 10:15-17)

Father in heaven, we love You and honor Your holy name. We want to please You by walking in faith and in obedience.  We desire to honor You, our Holy God.  Thank You for the forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ our Lord.  May all glory and honor and praise be given to You!  Help us in our weaknesses and doubts and fears.. to know Your strength and power and goodness.  Draw us deeper and deeper into Your grace and love we pray.. in Jesus' name. Amen.

Leviticus 17  This short chapter explains the reason that the Israelites were not to make sacrifices anywhere besides the altar at the tent of meeting.  It also explains that they should never eat the blood of any animal, because ".. the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for yourselves; for it is the blood that makes atonement because of the life." 

Chapter 18 teaches the Lord's boundaries for sexual relationships.   It is quite detailed.. which makes me think that the nations of Egypt and Canaan must have been incredibly immoral.  Adonai tells Moses to tell the people, " You are not to engage in the activities found in the land of Egypt, where you used to live; and you are not to engage in the activities found in the land of Canaan where I am bringing you..."  The Lord Himself calls these activities "disgusting"... and the reason that He is expelling them from the land.  ".. the land itself will vomit out its inhabitants.. " 

God says, " So keep my charge not to follow any of these abominable customs that others before you have followed and thus defile yourselves by doing them. I am Adonai your God." 

Israel had been stuck in Egypt for hundreds of years.  Who knows the depth of sin and immorality that was all around them there.  Canaan, the land ahead, was also filled with sin and perversions.  From the detailed list that God gives Israel,  warning about relations with just anyone.. or anything ; this was the "custom" in Canaan.  And, sadly, this makes what is happening in our own country the beginning of the same shameful and sinful fall into being an abomination to God.

Like Israel, we must keep God's charge to "not engage in the activities" of Egypt or Canaan.. or America.  Like Israel, the worldly customs are behind us and ahead of us. Like Israel,  Adonai calls us to find life in His law and rulings.  Not that we are under the Law, but because in Christ we are to do His will.

Father in heaven, we see the uncleanness of our land and know that there is a day of judgement coming to America.  We want to keep Your charge and heed Your voice.  We pray for a spirit of revival and healing for our land and for Your church.  Too many have turned back to the world's ways and made excuses and exceptions for what You have called disgusting and abominable. Forgive us, Lord. Open the eyes of Your people and give us boldness to speak the truth in love even when it brands us as evil or unfair.  May Christ in us.. Your people who call upon Your name.. pray as we should so that You will heal our land.  Only by the power of Your name can there be healing such as this.  But, we know that nothing is impossible for You, so we pray, asking for mercy, in Jesus' name.. Amen.

Leviticus 16  The Lord gives instructions to Moses about the day of atonement, a yearly event. Aaron, or whoever was the high priest, could only enter the Holy of Holies one time each year.  This required strict obedience to the Lord's directions.

Aaron would wash himself and dress in the special linen clothes, bring the sacrifices, burn incense and enter inside the curtain.  Then atonement was made for himself and his family, the people, the altar and the tent also.  " He will make atonement for the Holy Place because of the uncleannesses of the people of Israel and because of their transgressions - all their sins; and he is to do the same for the tent of meeting which is there with them right in the middle of their uncleannesses."

There He is - God Himself - "in the cloud over the ark-cover" - in the tent which sits right in the middle of Israel - "in the middle of their uncleannesses".   Only the offerings for atonement, offered in obedience to God's Word, would keep Aaron from dying, there in front of God.

Why are we not more often in awe of the fact that we can come into God's presence, just as we are - without special clothing, special washing, special sacrifices - because our atonement has been made through Christ Jesus our High Priest, our atonement offering... the One who's sacrifice caused the veil to be torn in two?  Like the tent of meeting - Jesus is right here with us.. in the middle of our uncleannesses...

He has cleansed us from all unrighteousness .
He has covered us with Himself, clothing us with His righteousness.
He has made the perfect atonement for all our sins.
He has brought us to the Throne of grace.
And, amazingly - He has come to live in us!

I have been meditating on this truth - Christ lives in me.
I read a devotional by Andrew Murray that emphasized this statement by Paul - " I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."  We understand that Jesus died "for" us - which Murray calls the foundation of our faith.  But, he says the "'in me' speaks of our life source."  He states that if we only think about Christ "for us" but never progress to know Christ "in us" - we will live "an impoverished spiritual life".  Murray goes on to say later, " The full gospel is contained in these words: Christ lives in me."
When we forget this we become powerless -  " The primary reason for the powerlessness of the church lies in the fact that Christians no longer have, nor exult in, the knowledge that almighty God, in the person of His son, Jesus Christ, has taken up residence within them. Real revival in the church of Christ depends on our knowing, explaining, and testifying to this truth."

Father in heaven,  You desire to dwell in the midst of Your people.  You came to the tent of meeting and appeared above the mercy seat.  You received their offerings and gave them a way for atonement of their sins. But, You had a greater plan.. for You sent Jesus Christ, the only Begotten of the Father, to make atonement once for all - to all who will believe in Him.  Yes, Hallelujah, He died "for me"!
But, that was not all - for He rose again, He ascended into Heaven to sit at Your right hand, and You sent Your Holy Spirit, so that Christ lives "in me"!   Help us, Lord God, to believe this, receive this, and to live this... Christ lives in me.  I ask this in His Name. Amen.