April 10, 2015
Rahab, the Jericho harlot, hid the Israelite spies whom Joshua had sent to reconnoiter the city. After making an amazing confession of faith in the Lord, she made a deal with the spies that she would hide them in return for protecting her family when the Lord gave the city over to Israel. The spies agreed. They told her to hang a “scarlet cord in the window” of her house to identify it and to keep everyone inside the house, otherwise they would not be responsible for them.
The “scarlet cord” reminds me of the blood of the lamb that was applied to the doors of the Israelites’ homes in Egypt, so that the angel of death would pass over them. It also reminds me of the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, which was shed, so that those who trust in Him might live.
Rahab’s family was spared when Israel destroyed Jericho. Those inside the house with the “scarlet cord in the window” were saved. Rahab and her family became part of God’s people. So that, even Rahab was listed in Matthew’s genealogy of Christ (Matt. 1:5).
Do you have a “scarlet cord” hanging from your window?
April 9, 2015
Are your words a pressure cooker or a pressure release for others? When you see someone struggling with anxiety, do they need something more to worry about? Or do they need a “good word” that lifts them up? Consider how people perceive you. When they see you coming, what do they expect? Does anxiety grow in them, anticipating criticism or trouble? Or do they lean towards you, hungry for the blessing of your words? Of course, the best word is God’s Word. Fill your heart and mind with His Word and you’ll find that it flows from your tongue when needed to bless others.
April 8, 2015
Moses reminded the Israelites that the Word of God was real sustenance. He told them to never think it a “futile thing” to study and follow it, but to treat the Word as life itself. For as Moses and later Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Deut. 8:3: Matt.4:4). Believer, never think it a “futile thing” (“empty, useless”) to feed on God’s Word. For it is spiritual “life” to sustain you.
April 7, 2015
The gospel moves us from a religious response to a relational one. The question it asks is not ‘have you been a good person,’ but ‘have you acknowledged Jesus as the Christ?’ This acknowledgement is not only internal, but external, causing us to confess Christ as Lord and Savior before men. How we decide to treat Jesus on earth affects His response to us in eternity.
April 6, 2015
Moses reminded the Israelites as they stood on the border of the Promised Land of the importance of choice. Would they choose life or death? The Lord had given Moses instructions and he had faithfully delivered them to his people. What would they choose? Today, what will you choose: life or death? For life is in Christ Jesus for all those who have chosen to trust in His Name.
April 5, 2015
As Jonah was in the belly of the fish for 3 days, so Jesus would be in the tomb 3 days before rising again. Jesus fulfilled every prophecy and prediction concerning His life, death and resurrection. The only “sign” that Jesus offered those who questioned His authority was the “sign” of Jonah. And it is the fulfillment of this “sign” that we celebrate on this Easter Sunday! He is risen! He is risen indeed!
April 4, 2015
Martha was working hard in the kitchen while her sister, Mary, sat at the feet of Jesus listening. Martha was hurt, feeling that Jesus didn’t care that her sister had left her serving alone. But Jesus approved of Mary’s choice to rest in Him and to enjoy His presence without working. He instructed Martha that resting in Him was the “good part,” the “one thing” needed.
Today is the 7th day of Passion Week, the day we remember Christ’s crucified body lying in the tomb. Just as God finished His creation by making man on the 6th day and rested on the 7th, so Christ redeemed mankind on the 6th day and on the 7th day, rested.
What are you “worried and troubled about” today? Rest in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who has defeated sin, death and the grave. Rest in Him, for He has already done what is needed to save us.
April 3, 2015
When the 70 disciples that the Lord sent out to bear witness returned, they were overjoyed that even the demons were subject to the name of Jesus. But Jesus told them not to rejoice over such things. Spiritual warfare is real and Christ-followers have been given authority, but we are not to glory in this. We are to “rejoice” that we are saved and that our names are in the Lamb’s Book of Life. On this Good Friday when we remember the price that our Lord paid for our inclusion into that Book, we rejoice in Him.
April 2, 2015
I am especially glad on this day that Jesus has removed the curse of sin and death from those who believe in Him. So that the resurrected Lord stands with us even in the cemetery saying, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).
April 1, 2015
Jesus is the fulfillment of this Scripture. He was born into the tribe of Judah and so was one of Israel’s “brethren.” He spoke all that the Father “commanded” Him to say (John 12:49). And on occasion referred to Himself as a “Prophet” (Luke 13:33). Moses was a foreshadowing of the Christ. But Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the ultimate revelation of God (John 1:1-18, John 14:9).
It seems appropriate that today’s OYB reading included this passage in the OT reading and the Mount of Transfiguration passage in the NT reading. Both Moses and Elijah were OT types pointing to Christ and here they are conversing with Him about His coming death. Moses represents the law, and Elijah, the prophets, and Jesus fulfilled them all.