April 30 -- "Forgiven!"

Today's Reading: Leviticus 4 

"Forgiven!"

Forgiven. What a beautiful and powerful word. It means to release someone from the debt or obligation they owe you due to their wrongdoing or offense.

The Bible teaches that all of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Our sins create a barrier between us and God, who is holy and perfect. We need forgiveness because our sins separate us from God, and without His forgiveness, we cannot have a close and meaningful relationship with Him nor can we enter into eternal life.

In this particular verse, the focus is on the priest's actions in making atonement for the people's sins. The Hebrew word for atonement is "kaphar," which means "to cover or conceal." In the Old Testament, this word is used to refer to the process of offering sacrifices for sin through the shedding of blood. The blood of the sacrifice was seen as a covering or concealing of the sin, making it possible for the sinner to be forgiven by and reconciled to God.

The shedding of blood was an important element in the process of making a sin offering because blood was seen as the source of life. The life of an animal was understood to be in its blood, and the shedding of blood represented the giving of that life as a substitute for the life of the sinner. 

In the New Testament, the Greek word for atonement is "katallage," which means "reconciliation." This word is used to describe the process of making peace between God and humanity through the death of Jesus Christ, thereby releasing us from the guilt and penalty for our sin.

As Christians, we believe that Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate blood sacrifice that provides forgiveness for our sins. His death was a substitutionary sacrifice in which He gave His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). Through faith in Jesus, we can be reconciled to God and receive forgiveness for our sins, without the need for any further blood sacrifices.

Oh, what joy to be forgiven! Confess your sins and receive that forgiveness right now!

April 29 -- "The Pleasing Aroma"

 Today's Reading: Leviticus 3

"The Pleasing Aroma"

The book of Leviticus is all about God making a way for unholy and sinful people to approach and have fellowship with a holy and pure God. (In fact, that’s what the whole Bible is about.) The laws and instructions contained in Leviticus were intended to guide the Israelites in their worship of God and their daily lives, and they were seen as essential to maintaining a right relationship with God.

In this particular verse, God is instructing the Israelites on how to offer a peace offering to Him. The peace offering was a type of sacrifice that was made to God as a symbol of fellowship and communion. It was typically made up of an animal that was slain, and part of the meat was burned on the altar while the rest was eaten by the priests and the worshipers.

When the priests placed the offering on the fire, it resulted in a “pleasing aroma” wafting up to the LORD.  The idea of a pleasing aroma was a way of indicating that the offering was acceptable and pleasing to God. The aroma was seen as a symbol of God's pleasure and favor towards the Israelites and His acceptance of their sacrifice. It was a way of demonstrating that they had followed God's instructions and were obedient to His commands.

One of the key lessons for us is the importance of offering ourselves to God as living sacrifices. Just as the animal was offered on the altar, we too should offer ourselves to God as “living sacrifices” surrendering our will and desires to Him. As we read in Romans 12:1, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Paul the Apostle mentioned the pleasing aroma of a surrendered life in 2 Corinthians 2:15 - "For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing."

The idea of a pleasing aroma to the Lord can be seen as a metaphor for our lives. Just as the peace offering was meant to be a pleasing aroma to God, we too should strive to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God, through acts of sacrifice, love, kindness, and service to others. Take a moment to ask yourself, does my life produce a pleasing aroma unto God? 

April 28 -- "A Most Holy Part"

 Today's Reading: Leviticus 1 & 2

"A Most Holy Part"

This verse is part of the Old Testament book of Leviticus, which contains laws and instructions given by God to the Israelites regarding their worship and daily life. In this particular verse, God is instructing the Israelites on how to prepare a grain offering to be presented to Him.

The grain offering was an important part of the Israelite worship, and it was meant to be a symbol of gratitude and thanksgiving to God for His blessings. The offering was made up of fine flour, oil, and frankincense, and it was to be presented without any leaven or honey.

In Leviticus 2:3, God commands that the portion of the grain offering that is not burned on the altar should be given to Aaron and his sons, who were the priests. This portion was considered to be a most holy part of the food offerings, which means that it was set apart for a special purpose and was not to be used for any other purpose.

The priests were seen as mediators between God and the people, and they were responsible for carrying out the daily rituals and sacrifices in the temple. By setting aside a portion of the grain offering for the priests, the Israelites were acknowledging the important role that the priests played in their worship and community life.

Additionally, the priests were not allowed to own land or engage in other occupations, so they were dependent on the offerings and tithes of the people for their livelihood. Setting aside a portion of the grain offering for the priests ensured that they had a reliable source of sustenance and support.

While the instructions in Leviticus are specific to the Israelites and their worship practices, there are still lessons that we can learn from this verse today. One of the key lessons is the importance of giving thanks and gratitude to God for His blessings in our lives. Just as the grain offering was a symbol of thanksgiving, we too can express our gratitude to God through prayer and thanksgiving.

And, always keep in mind that it is "a most holy part" of your devotion and service of God when you freely offer your resources to support those who minister to you in spiritual things.

April 27 -- "The Cloud of Glory"

Today's Reading: Exodus 40 

"The Cloud of Glory"

The Tabernacle has just been completed and consecrated. And then something remarkable happens: the glory of the Lord fills it! The presence of God is so powerful that Moses is not able to even enter the tent of meeting, which is the area of the Tabernacle where God's presence was believed to be most concentrated. The cloud that settled on the tent of meeting was a visible manifestation of God's presence.

When the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle, it was a sign to the Israelites that God was with them and that He had accepted their obedience in constructing the Tabernacle and consecrating the priests. The cloud was a reminder of the Israelites' need to reverence and respect Him.

In other instances, the cloud symbolized God's judgment. In Isaiah 19:1, for example, it says, "Behold, the Lord is riding on a swift cloud and comes to Egypt; and the idols of Egypt will tremble at his presence." This verse suggests that the cloud is a symbol of God's wrath and judgment against those who oppose Him.

In the New Testament, the cloud appears again at the transfiguration of Jesus, where a bright cloud overshadowed Peter, James, and John, and a voice from the cloud declared, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him" (Matthew 17:5). This event emphasized the divinity of Jesus and His connection to God the Father.

The fact that Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting due to the presence of God's glory highlights the importance of holiness and purity in approaching God. It emphasizes that God is not to be taken lightly, and that His holy presence deserves our reverence.

April 26 -- "Recognizing a Job Well Done"

 Today's Reading: Exodus 39

"Recognizing a Job Well Done"

Today’s verse comes at the end of the section that describes the construction of the Tabernacle, the tent of meeting that served as a place of worship for the Israelites during their journey in the wilderness. The verse indicates that Moses, the leader of the Israelites, inspected all the work that had been done on the construction of the Tabernacle, and was pleased with what he saw. He recognized that the work had been done in accordance with the instructions that God had given to him, and he blessed the people who had carried out the work.

The principles illustrated in Exodus 39:43 are still relevant and applicable for you and I as followers of Christ.

Firstly, the importance of following God's commands and doing His will remains a fundamental principle for believers in any era. As Christians, we are called to live lives of obedience to God's commands and to fulfill the purposes for which He has created us.

Secondly, the value of hard work and diligence is a timeless principle that is just as important today as it was in ancient times. Christians are called to be diligent in their work, whether in their secular jobs or in serving God and His people. Diligence, hard work, and attention to detail are not only important for achieving success in our endeavors but also for demonstrating our faithfulness to God.

Finally, the importance of leaders who are willing to inspect and evaluate the work of those under their authority, and to offer recognition and blessings for a job well done, remains critical in modern times. In Christian leadership, it is essential to recognize and acknowledge the contributions of those who serve faithfully, and to bless them for their hard work and dedication to God's purposes.

One day, each of us who have chosen to faithfully follow Jesus will be recognized by Him as we are invited into His kingdom with the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" (Matthew 25:21)

April 25 -- "Mirrors of Bronze"

 Today's Reading: Exodus 38

"Mirrors of Bronze"

This verse describes the making of the basin and its stand. The basin (also known as the "bronze basin" or "laver") was a large bowl made of bronze or brass that was used for washing by the priests in the Tabernacle. It was filled with water and used for washing the hands and feet of the priests before performing certain duties, such as offering sacrifices or entering the holy place. The basin measured 7½ feet in diameter and was 4½ feet high.  This practice emphasized the importance of spiritual cleanliness and purity in approaching God.

What is particularly interesting about this verse is that it mentions the source of the material used for making the basin and its stand: mirrors donated by the ministering women who served at the entrance of the tent of meeting.

In ancient times, mirrors were typically made from highly reflective and polished metals, as the technology to create glass mirrors did not exist. These mirrors would have provided a dimmer and less clear reflection than modern mirrors, but would still have been useful for personal grooming and other purposes. It is likely that the mirrors donated by the ministering women were highly valued possessions, as mirrors were considered a luxury item in ancient times.

The fact that the ministering women were willing to donate their mirrors for the construction of the Tabernacle suggests that they placed a high value on their worship of God and on contributing to the construction of the holy place. It also demonstrates their generosity and willingness to sacrifice for the greater good.

Are you willing to give up your “mirror” (any highly valued possession) for the greater cause of worshiping and serving your Creator? He is looking for men and women willing to demonstrate the same generosity and readiness to sacrifice for His kingdom.

April 24 -- "The Seat of Mercy"

Today's Reading: Exodus 37 

"The Seat of Mercy"

As construction of the Tabernacle progressed, the work became increasingly intricate and sacred. Going from the outer courtyard to the framing of the tent, to the curtains and draperies, and then progressing inward to The Holy Place and then to the Most Holy Place, known as the “Holy of Holies.” This name emphasizes the sacredness and purity of this special section of the Tent of Meeting which was set aside for the worship of Yahweh.

The Holy Place contained the table of showbread, the golden lampstand, and the altar of incense, while the Most Holy Place contained the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was designed to contain the tablets of the Ten Commandments that Moses had received from God on Mount Sinai (Exodus 25:16), as well as other important items such as Aaron's staff and a jar of manna (Exodus 16:33-34, Numbers 17:10). The Ark was considered to be the most holy object in the Most Holy Place, as it was a symbol of God's presence among His people.

Exodus 37:9 describes the construction of the mercy seat, which was a sacred object that was placed on top of the Ark of the Covenant in the Most Holy Place of the tabernacle. The mercy seat was made of pure gold, and two cherubim (angelic beings) made of gold were placed on top of it, with their wings outstretched and facing each other. This was the place where humans would meet with and commune with their God and where they could receive mercy, grace, and forgiveness of their sins.

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is portrayed as the ultimate expression of God's mercy and grace. Jesus' death on the cross is seen as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity, providing a way for people to receive forgiveness and salvation through faith in Him. This is referred to as the "mercy seat" or "throne of grace" as it represents God's gracious and merciful provision for humanity's redemption.

In Hebrews 4:16, it says, "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." This verse emphasizes that through Jesus Christ, (our “Mercy Seat”) believers can approach God with confidence and find mercy and grace in their time of need.