February 16, 2006 - Leviticus 19-20 and Matthew 27:51-66
In order to receive the full impact from reading the passage in Leviticus today, we must remember the world of that time. All of these commands from God must be set against the backdrop of the other peoples of the world and how they lived. Then, we can see clearly what God was requiring from the Hebrews. Also, it is only then, we can see how it all applies to us today.
In Leviticus 19 we read a long list of commands from God. He tells His people to obey these commands and thus, to be holy or separated from the people around them. The striking thing about these commands is that each one deals with an accepted behavior of the day. If the Hebrews lived according to these commands, they would be completely different from all of the people around them. They would have to reject all of the practices of these people. They would have to have a singular commitment to God and His Word. He is looking for this same commitment from us today. It doesn't matter what everyone else does, we are to obey God and be holy.
In Leviticus 20 we see how serious God is about holiness. Those who break His laws were to be put to death in many cases. Would that be a deterrent to sin? I think it would. Would it show the seriousness of sin? Yes, it would give new meaning to the truth that the wages of sin is death. Even if God did not call for the death penalty, He sent barrenness or His anger was against those who sinned. This is a result of God's holiness. He hates sin. It makes Him angry. He is serious about getting rid of sin. We must be serious about it, too. We are not saved to sin more. We are saved from sin. What if God called for the death penalty today? What if He just took people like He did Ananias and Sapphira? (Acts 5) God is merciful, but His anger against sin will be shown, and He will punish sin.
Matthew 27 concludes with the results of Jesus' death. The veil of the Temple was torn open from the top to the bottom. This showed everyone that the Old Covenant was over. Now, anyone could come to God through Christ. Then, people were raised from their graves in witness of God's power. This was also a testimony to what God was doing. He was preparing to raise Jesus and provide salvation and resurrection for all who trust Him in repentance and faith. The disciples did not understand yet, but there were some who were willing to step out for Jesus. They laid His body in a tomb. They watched where He was laid. They may have been in shock, but they were focused on Jesus. They were sensitive to what God wanted them to do. Their sensitivity would soon pay off. Jesus would appear to them. He will appear to us today as we follow Him, as we focus on Him, and as we watch for Him. I urge us all to follow close after Jesus, even in a hostile world.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Leviticus 21-22 and Matthew 28. I will be out of the country for a week, so I urge you to keep reading. I may not be able to make a post each day.
Feb. 18 - Leviticus 23-24 and Mark 1:1-22
Feb. 19 - Leviticus 25 and Mark 1:23-45
Feb. 20 - Leviticus 26-27 and Mark 2
Feb. 21 - Numbers 1-2 and Mark 3:1-19
Feb. 22 - Numbers 3-4 and Mark 3:20-35
Feb. 23 - Numbers 5-6 and Mark 4:1-20
In Leviticus 19 we read a long list of commands from God. He tells His people to obey these commands and thus, to be holy or separated from the people around them. The striking thing about these commands is that each one deals with an accepted behavior of the day. If the Hebrews lived according to these commands, they would be completely different from all of the people around them. They would have to reject all of the practices of these people. They would have to have a singular commitment to God and His Word. He is looking for this same commitment from us today. It doesn't matter what everyone else does, we are to obey God and be holy.
In Leviticus 20 we see how serious God is about holiness. Those who break His laws were to be put to death in many cases. Would that be a deterrent to sin? I think it would. Would it show the seriousness of sin? Yes, it would give new meaning to the truth that the wages of sin is death. Even if God did not call for the death penalty, He sent barrenness or His anger was against those who sinned. This is a result of God's holiness. He hates sin. It makes Him angry. He is serious about getting rid of sin. We must be serious about it, too. We are not saved to sin more. We are saved from sin. What if God called for the death penalty today? What if He just took people like He did Ananias and Sapphira? (Acts 5) God is merciful, but His anger against sin will be shown, and He will punish sin.
Matthew 27 concludes with the results of Jesus' death. The veil of the Temple was torn open from the top to the bottom. This showed everyone that the Old Covenant was over. Now, anyone could come to God through Christ. Then, people were raised from their graves in witness of God's power. This was also a testimony to what God was doing. He was preparing to raise Jesus and provide salvation and resurrection for all who trust Him in repentance and faith. The disciples did not understand yet, but there were some who were willing to step out for Jesus. They laid His body in a tomb. They watched where He was laid. They may have been in shock, but they were focused on Jesus. They were sensitive to what God wanted them to do. Their sensitivity would soon pay off. Jesus would appear to them. He will appear to us today as we follow Him, as we focus on Him, and as we watch for Him. I urge us all to follow close after Jesus, even in a hostile world.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Leviticus 21-22 and Matthew 28. I will be out of the country for a week, so I urge you to keep reading. I may not be able to make a post each day.
Feb. 18 - Leviticus 23-24 and Mark 1:1-22
Feb. 19 - Leviticus 25 and Mark 1:23-45
Feb. 20 - Leviticus 26-27 and Mark 2
Feb. 21 - Numbers 1-2 and Mark 3:1-19
Feb. 22 - Numbers 3-4 and Mark 3:20-35
Feb. 23 - Numbers 5-6 and Mark 4:1-20