“...Let Aaron be gathered to his people, for he shall not enter the land that I have given to the people of Israel, because you rebelled against my command at the waters of Meribah....And when all the congregation saw that Aaron had perished, all the house of Israel wept for Aaron thirty days.

Numbers 20:22-29

“...Let Aaron be gathered to his people, for he shall not enter the land that I have given to the people of Israel, because you rebelled against my command at the waters of Meribah....And when all the congregation saw that Aaron had perished, all the house of Israel wept for Aaron thirty days. Numbers 20:24, 29

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 20:22-29 - we see the text describe Aaron's death in the wilderness and the people's mourning.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God fulfills His promised punishment to Aaron (and Moses) that he will not enter the promised land (see Numbers 20:2-13) as a result of lack of trust in Him and disobedience to His command. As I posted a couple of days ago, this punishment may seem harsh, but church leaders are held to a high standard.  Additionally, we must view all discipline from the Lord as training as both just (God's justice is perfect) and for good (see Proverbs 3:11-12, Hebrews 12:11).
• What do we learn from the text about people?: While we see Aaron's punishment on one hand, we should also see God's love based on v29.  God wants it known that Aaron was loved by the people and it is implied that He loved him also...and wants this known by those reading His Word.  Aaron will also have eternal life.    
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Leaders of the church such as Aaron should avoid disobedience or partial obedience as leaders are held to a higher standard.  Claim the promise that God's discipline is for good and is just.  At the same time, follow the example of Aaron who served God faithfully (again acknowledging that He is faithful).  Abide in Him and see how His commandments (obedience) are not burdensome (1 John 5:3). 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

 John 13:1-11

Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.” John 13:10-11

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 13:1-11, where just prior to the Passover feast, Jesus shares a  meal with the disciples, and during the meal, He washes their feet.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus has a plan and He does not depart from it as everything He does for the disciples is out of love for them.  V1 shares how Jesus knew He would soon go to the cross how He loved the disciples "to the end" - despite their sin and brokenness as they were "in the world."  This included love for Judas who in v2 will betray Jesus as the devil enters Judas' heart.  Jesus then proceeds to wash the disciples feet - starting in v4 - this includes Judas who knows will betray Him (v11).  Peter resists but Jesus rebukes Peter in v8 sharing that He must wash Peter because He cannot leave him in sin/darkness.  Upon this rebuke and response from Jesus, Peter then accepts Jesus' cleansing, exclaiming that he seeks not just his feet but his hands and head as well to be cleansed (v9). Jesus then shares in vv10-11 and how those who have bathed - implying a cleansing/forgiveness of sin from Jesus based on faith and belief in Him - are clean (except the feet). Judas is not clean because he persists in sin and darkness and this has hardened his heart, preventing faith and belief in Jesus.  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: The disciples do not understand why Jesus is washing their feet - v7 - but the text also shares that "afterward [they] will understand."  Jesus is always doing something in our lives and we often do not understand.  We can take comfort that Jesus is in all things, and for believers all things work together for good - Colossians 1:15-17 and Romans 8:28. Our understanding will come afterward - either in this life beyond and passed current circumstances or in Heaven when our understanding of Jesus will be complete. We also learn that our heart condition is most important - not actions or external behaviors.  If we allow sin and darkness to enter our heart like Judas did then we are likely to stay in darkness and face eternal condemnation.
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid sinful influences that are "in the world."  Claim the promise that Jesus cleanses us of our sins and gives us a new heart, a heart of flesh that allows us to hear Jesus, learn about Him, love Him, and follow Him - this is new life.  Follow the example of Peter who did not understand but sought understanding.  We are to forgive others as Jesus forgives us.    

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves, forgives, and saves!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember?

Mark 8:1-26

Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? Mark 8:17c-18

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 8:1-26.  Excerpts from the commentary's third (of four) division (vv14-21):

• For the third division, the title is: "Disciples Will See Great Works but Fail to Fully Understand."
• "[Jesus] cautioned them, “Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.” A small amount of leaven will permeate a whole batch of bread dough. The leaven of unbelief has gripped the hearts of the Pharisees and Herod and has taken control of their entire lives. Watch out! Don’t let unbelief take you down and away from the divine truth you see and hear in Me."
• "[Jesus'] questions were not intended to shame but to instruct." What compassion!  
•  We are encouraged by the commentary to lean on text where it shares (1) believe that all things are possible with God - Luke 1:37; (2) how to be content in all circumstances and to see how through Him all things are possible and how He provides - Philippians 4:12-13, and 19.

V18 in particular is key as we should remember what God has done as constant reminders of what God has done will keep us focused on who God is, and how we are utterly dependent on Him for all things - big and small. See also this post from a couple of days ago.  God is always at work, and for those who love Him, He is able to make "all things work together for good" (Romans 8:28).

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion - You reached down into the pit, while still an enemy and hostile to You, and saved me.  You continue to pour out an inexhaustible supply of grace and mercy every day - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You save and love.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Mark 7:24-37

And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” Mark 7:36-37

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 7:24-37, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Jesus is the incarnate Son of God and during His ministry, although He sought the Messianic Secret - that is He not be more fully revealed who He is until the appropriate time - it is difficult to fathom how Jesus could perform the miracles He did and word not spread about Jesus.  At the same time, John Piper describes a preventing "illumination" of the disciples in particular but also others and us by extension (see vv24, 36).  Piper explains how this "preventing" forces us to acknowledge how badly we need Him.  God's ways are difficult to fathom (Isaiah 55:8) but it is not difficult to fathom how desperately we need Him.  We all desperately need Jesus just as  the woman/daughter and deaf man in the text do.  God heals and saves.  God had a plan and regardless of how others could not follow His plan to prevent the spread of Him, Jesus' plan could not be stopped and Jesus ministry continued until the appointed moment where He died and rose again.  Jesus sought His Father's help in prayer - see v34. 
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: People, once they acknowledge the saving power of Jesus Christ, cannot help but share the Good News (v36, Acts 4:20).   
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Jesus wants us to share who He is - not just what He did.  Yes Jesus performed miracles but most importantly He Saves!  We can also lay claim to the promise that, yes, although we don't know how God works, we do know that He does (Romans 8:28) and that once He starts a work in us, He will continue a work in us until completion - sanctification. This process may be slower than we like but it is according to plan!

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My Prayer: Father God, You are a good, good God.  Perfect in all Your ways.  I may not know how You work but I know that You do, and that You love and save.  I also know that I NEED a savior and You are that Savior.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land.

Mark 6:45-56

Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. Mark 6:45-47

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 6:45-56, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: V46 Jesus makes time to pray as it is a priority - He knew the disciples wanted more time with Him and that the crowds following Him sought more time with Him.  Jesus was a man very much in demand...He never turned away those in need, yet at the same time He made time to pray. V48 and 51 Jesus is all powerful, and He is able to walk on water and control the weather - we can take comfort in knowing that anything is possible through God. V52 God hardens and softens hearts at His discretion - we are urged to share our testimony and the gospel but it is God alone who saves.  V56 Jesus meets the needs of humanity as He heals - not just physically but spiritually.     
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: V50: God's power can be terrifying - we should be drawn into the comforting arms of Him for refuge.  V52: For many, miracles are insufficient to move people to a greater understanding of God...Jesus' feeding of the five thousand earlier in Mark 6 should have certainly been sufficient to see that God was at work but the text shares that the disciples did not understand and their hearts were hardened. For those who love and believe in Him, all things work together for good - Romans 8:28.  
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We should make time to pray, we should see God's power and in reverent fear be drawn close to Him to love and obey Him.  We should know that God heals. 

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My Prayer: Father God, what an awesome God You are that You save!  I am not deserving of how You save and pour out mercies inexhaustibly for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.