This was Jesus’ reply when challenged by the Pharisees about eating at the tax collector Levi’s (Matthew’s) house. The Pharisees were separatists. They would not associate with sinners. But Jesus came to save sinners. How should today’s church be affected by this? How do we resolve the tension between being holy and being evangelists? Simple. Follow Jesus.
The Gospel of Mark is unique among the four in that it was written in present rather than past tense. Mark’s action-oriented writing is marked by a favorite phrase “and immediately,” which is found throughout. Each gospel presents a different perspective of Jesus. Matthew sees Him as King, Luke as Son of Man, and John as Son of God. But Mark presents a man of action, Jesus the Servant of all. And whatever Jesus does, He does “immediately.” Is there any urgent need requiring your immediate attention?
As soon as the tabernacle was finished, the cloud of the Lord filled it. From that day on, the people of Israel moved out when God’s glory moved out of the tabernacle. And stayed put as long as the glory remained. God taught them to depend on Him for daily direction. Where is the glory of God staying or moving in your life today?
An angel clothed in white with an appearance of lightning announced the resurrection to the women as they came bearing spices for Jesus’ body. They expected a morning of mourning, but they left sprinting with surprise. Have you yet fearfully peered into Death’s tomb and discovered that the Christ has left it empty?
David wrote this psalm during the time he was hiding from Saul among the Philistines. Unfortunately, when we come up with human schemes to avoid trouble we often jump from the frying pan into the fire. Yet, it is never too late to cry out to God for help. David was delivered from his fears. We can bring our fears to God too. He will hear us and answer.
David wrote this psalm during the time he was hiding from Saul among the Philistines. Unfortunately, when we come up with human schemes to avoid trouble we often jump from the frying pan into the fire. Yet, it is never too late to cry out to God for help. David was delivered from his fears. We can bring our fears to God too. He will hear us and answer.
God agreed to show Moses His glory, but had to hide him in the cleft of a rock so he wouldn’t die. Whenever I read this passage, I always find myself singing, “Rock of Ages, cleft for me. Let me hide myself in Thee.” Whatever Moses saw, it must have been amazing because even those who saw Moses’ face later were struck with awe and fear. The mere residual reflection of God’s glory on Moses’ face was so terrible that he had to wear a veil.
David wrote this psalm to express the blessing of being forgiven. Here, he described how it felt to have unconfessed sin between him and God. Keeping silent about his sin left him aching and discouraged. It put up a barrier between him and God that disturbed his sleep and sapped his strength. When he could take it no more, he acknowledged and confessed his sin to the Lord. And God forgave. Hidden sin is corrosive to both body and soul. Confess your sin, for God is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
This chapter describes God’s instructions to Moses for consecrating and ordaining Aaron and his sons as priests. The detail is somewhat overwhelming to read, but it leaves us with a few lasting impressions: 1) Worship is work. 2) Worship is for God, not us. 3) Making unholy things holy is hard, bloody work. And 4) I’m glad that Jesus came to fulfill and replace this temple worship. Jesus is our Passover Lamb and our High Priest. He has done all the work. Now, we can offer ourselves as “living sacrifices” to Him (Rom.12:1) in true worship that pleases God.
This is what Jesus will say at the last judgment to those who have cared for those who are hungry, thirsty, estranged, naked, sick or imprisoned. Would you do something for Jesus? If He came to your door, would you put him up for the night or offer Him supper? If you would do something for Jesus, then here’s your chance: Do something for the “least of these.”