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February 18

Reading 1 - Exodus 29

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v.14 - There are several references to this sin offering which was to take place 'without the camp'. Each time it was a bullock mentioned and the blood was to be sprinkled on the altar. It was the blood that did the atoning work in the tabernacle, and then the sin offering was burnt away from the camp, to symbolise sin having been removed - exactly the work of Jesus. Lev.4:11,12,21, 8:17, 16:27, Heb13:11,12.
Peter Cresswell
v.31-32 - Provision is made here for the priests' food - Not from the results of what was burnt on the altar, but of special provision. To seethe is to boil, so this was not roast meat.
Peter Cresswell
These chapters, in describing the consecration of Aaron and his sons, find their historical counterpart in Leviticus 8-10. Exodus describes what was to be done whereas Leviticus describes what actually happened.
Peter Forbes
:10 In putting their hands on the bullock the sons of Aaron were associating themselves with the death of the animal. The action of putting on of hands in Scripture always has this association - even when it was used for the passing on of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Peter Forbes

Exodus 29:9 � �Consecrate Aaron and his sons� � The margin has, �fill the hand of� Aaron and his sons. A priest in the service of the Father was to always have his hands full with the service of the Truth. As the people brought forth their tithe offerings, so the priests had opportunity to look after the poor and the needy as they too came to the Tabernacle. The abundance given by God to His people, reflected in the tithe offerings, was able to support the priesthood, who having no inheritance in the land, were not able to grow their own crops or herds.

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Exodus 29:45 � �And I will dwell among the children of Israel� � Why would God want to dwell among this people? They were an uncouth lot, always murmuring and complaining, wishing that they had stayed in Egypt. Why would God want to dwell among them? Answer � He called them out of Egypt to be His Family on earth. He was their Father. And as a Father He wants to dwell with His children, to experience their growth, watch their �first steps,� hear their �first words,� attend to their education and schooling, provide for their needs. Without saying so in so many words, God is telling Israel that He wants to move in with them, just as any parent likes to be in touch with their children and to experience the joys that raising a family can bring � 2 Corinthians 6:17.


Cliff York

Reading 2 - Psalms 85 & 86

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85 v.2 - it is very important that we keep these things in our minds at all times - especially when our lives are not going well - whatever else happens, God has forgiven our sins - and we must believe that. A number of examples from people who did believe that are recorded for us. Ps.32:1, 79:8,9, Jer.50:30, Mic.7:18, Acts 13:39, Col.2:13.
Peter Cresswell
85 v.11 - The context of v.8-13 is that of salvation, and salvation is brought about by the marrying together of the mercy of God with the truth that springs out of the earth. It is a perfect way to describe Jesus, who sprang from earthy beginnings - being the son of a woman and therefore an inheriter along with all those who sprang from the earth, of sinful flesh. But in his work Jesus brings together this nature with the mercy and perfection of God, so becoming for us the way, the truth and the life. The word truth provides a fascinating and relatively simple study as there is essentially just one hebrew word and one greek word, which seem to be equivalent. Also note that by far the majority of occurrences of this word in scripture are to be found in the Psalms and the writings of John.
Peter Cresswell
Psalm 85 - That there are a number of Psalms for 'the sons of Korah' of itself is a wonderful testimony to them. Korah died before the Lord for his rebellion as outlined in Numbers 16. His sons forsook him and his tents and consequently were blessed for their faithfulness. They did not love 'father' more than God.

Psalm 86 - In this Psalm David cries to God that He might hear him - :1, 2, 3, 6, 7,16, 17. But it not simply a call for God to answer him. Rather David is concerned that God will 'teach' him His ways [v11]. It is so easy for us to just pray for what we want with no regard to trying to understand God's desire. We must realise that if we ask 'according to His will' [1 John 5:14] He will hear us.
Peter Forbes

85:2-3 Notice the progression
forgive
covered
taken away

86 - Even though David is willing to call on God (:1-7) he is not above asking God to 'teach' him (:11) We should be like this. Realising that we have to call on God but not being so arrogant as to think that we do not need God's instruction when we are in trouble. As if we think we can sort things out ourselves.
Peter Forbes

Psalm 85 � begins �A Psalm for the sons of Korah.�

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Psalm 85:10 � �righteousness and peace have kissed each other� � It is not usual for those who are �incompatible� to spend time kissing. Truly God�s righteousness and His attendant peace are greatly compatible. The peace that the world seeks is not based on God�s righteousness, therefore mankind will wear himself out trying to devise ways to create compatibility � but to no avail. Only when God�s righteousness is in the earth will this world enjoy the Peace that the prince of Peace will then share.

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Psalm 86:11 � �unite my heart to fear thy name� - �Make my heart one, is the plea of David in this Psalm. How often do we find that we too, possess a double heart? Because of our nature, we tend to be so duplicitous. But David�s prayer should be our prayer too � create within me, O God, ONE heart, for you are ONE, your purpose is ONE, your spirit is ONE, everything about you is united and focused � ARE WE?


Cliff York

Reading 3 - Mark 14

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v. 37-40 - The disciples could not be there for Jesus in his greatest hour of need, but Jesus, rather than be angry about this, turns it round as ever, to reflect his constant care for his disciples, as he has for us. He warns them not to fall from their position of alert watchfulness, and the reason - that they are not overtaken by temptation. He needed their minds focused on the events around them - the current signs of the times. And we must heed this warning too. Matt.25:5, 1Thess.5:6-8, and at times when it is difficult - Heb.12:3.
Peter Cresswell

v.3 Simon was the father of Mary and Martha Lazarus and Judas Iscariot. Judas is called 'Simon's son' John 12:4 13:2 Mary and Martha were serving the meal because it was their father's house. Lazarus was Mary and Martha's brother as was Judas Iscariot. John 11:19
v.18 Jesus first taught his disciples that he would be betrayed at the time of the transfiguration. Matthew 17:22 He then speaks of it around the time of his death in the last week of his life and in the upper room. Matthew 20:18 26:2,21,23,45,46 Mark 14:41,42 Luke 22:21 John 13:21
v.31 Notice that it was not only Peter who had said that he was willing to lay down his life for Jesus.
Peter Forbes

:37 Jesus seems distressed that the disciples were not able to stay away whilst he was praying - even though they had no idea what he was praying about or what was going to happen next. David 'looked for comforters and found none' [Psalm 69:20] and was distressed by this also. Have we thought about how we can support our brethren and sisters in their tribulation even if we do not fully understand their dilemma? It would seem that the simple presence of the disciples - or in David's case his friends - would have provided some form of sustenance.
Peter Forbes
This chapter, whilst dealing with issues of one day has as it's prime focus the meal in the upper room. The mention of Judas (:10-11) is setting the scene for the events that will follow the meal and provides an explanation as to why Jesus kept the location of the place of the 'last supper' secret.
Peter Forbes
"I WILL NEVER DISOWN YOU"

"But Peter insisted emphatically, 'Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.'"

But we know that eventually the words of Jesus, when he prophesied that Peter would disown him three times, came true, and Peter did the very thing he had promised not to do.

When Jesus was confronted by the soldiers and all the people in the garden, Peter came to the fore. He was the one that was going to defend Jesus to the bitter end. No way would he deny his Lord! It was Peter whose sword came out to fight for Christ, and Peter who had to be told to calm down. When the pressure was on Peter was Hot!

However, later, in a non threatening environment, Peter had lost his edge. Asked by a servant girl - not a soldier with a sword - Peter tried to save face and disowned his Lord. He did it three times when the pressure was off.

If we have the same resolve as Peter, that we will never disown Christ, let us remember to confess him in every small occasion as well as in the big challenges. Let us not back down to save face, but stand by our man at all times.
Robert Prins

Mark 14:3 � �And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the Leper� � Here Jesus is once more among friends. Judas� father is named as Simon, and Judas was the only disciple of the twelve to domicile in or around Jerusalem. All the other disciples were Galilean. Is it possible that Mary, Martha and Lazarus were Judas Iscariot�s siblings? Judas certainly felt as though he could speak freely in regard to Mary pouring out the ointment at this time. Was Judas watching a family treasure being used on the Lord, as Mary poured out her love for Him? Judas certainly knew how much that vase of ointment was worth � more than 300 pence!! Now at a penny a day for the common wage, that would be equivalent to 1.5 years wages in our terminology. In Australia, 300 pence today would be worth about $50,000Aus. To make the conversion, it would be about $29,500 American or �16,300 English pounds.

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Mark 14:5 � �For it might have been sold for more than 300 pence, and have been given to the poor� � The companion records state that Judas is leading the discussion. He was the �poor� that he had in mind. His companion disciples had no idea that he had his hand in the bag and was purchasing a retirement home for himself with the proceeds. But Jesus knew. And yet He continued to trust Judas with the common bag, AND He did not tattle on Judas to the other disciples. Indignant as Judas is here about the 300 pence, ultimately he betrayed the Lord (for He was never �his Lord� to Judas) for just 30 pieces of silver � the price of a Jewish slave on the open market. Or was 30 pieces of silver a down payment, a deposit, for a greater sum of money to be handed over when the deed was fully done?

Mark 14:44 � �Whomsoever I shall kiss� � How wonderfully the readings tie together. We have just read in our Psalms reading, that there must needs be compatibility before a genuine kiss is exchanged. How hypocritical of Judas to kiss Jesus � he and Jesus are incompatible � yet our Lord graciously allowed Judas to take his part in this dastardly deed, that the thoughts of his heart might be made fully manifest to his fellows who had worked and walked with him for 3.5 years. �Notice Judas, in kissing the Lord, addresses Him as �Master, Master?� �Never does Judas ever address Jesus as Lord � Luke 6:46.


Cliff York