Old testament
1. Instructions about skin diseases. Telling the difference between clean and unclean.
2. Instructions about contaminated clothing. Clean vs. unclean.
3. What does all this mean to us now?
- These people lived in a much different time than we take for granted now. There were no broad spectrum antibiotics you could take just in case you were getting sick, or because you thought you'd been exposed to something. These rules were made to help keep the community well and uncontaminanted.
- The priests were given the commission and authority to determine what was clean and unclean. And just like physicians today, they had to learn guidelines to follow. Form these very specific instructions they should be able to give the people reasonable answers and determinations on a day to day basis.
- During this period it was the priests that people went to. The lesson is we all need people we can go to. To help us sort things out. To give us support when we are involved in things good for us; and to give us instruction and loving discouragement for things we should not be involved in.
- We were made from the beginning for community.
New Testament
5. Jesus is rejected in Nazareth. The basis of this seems to be that they know Him and His parents. How could this nobody be the Son of God?
- Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.”
- Isn't that the truth? If you have travelled a path different than your birth family, do you have trouble communicating with them? Do they doubt that you can enlighten or educate them about anything? After all "they knew you when." This is what I think Jesus is saying. It's not about the packaging or even the specific messanger, it's about the message. So these people reject the messanger, the message...and ultimately miracles and blessings.
6. Jesus sends out the twelve
- He gave them authority...His to give. Casting out demons and healing the sick.
- He tells them to travel light! Don't take every thing you own. What you need is in your hearts, heads and hands.
- If the inhabitants refuse to listen...move on.
7. Herod hears about Jesus, and is concerned that John the Baptist has risen from the dead to taunt him.
- John condemned Herod for taking his brother's wife as his own. Herod, Herodias and her daughter (also named Herodias)conspired to have John the Baptist beheaded.
8. Like the disciples we are to rescue others, because Christ rescued us...
Psalm
9. "...My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath."
10. " We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it.
And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you."
- My only hope is in you...
See you next post...
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