Our reading challenge for the day is Leviticus 26-27 and John 1-3. I'll hit a few highlights. You make comments too and fill in the gaps. What strikes you as specially significant?
Leviticus has an odd ending. After chapter 26 where God proclaims his blessing upon obedience and his curse upon disobedience, there is chapter 27 which seems rather like a price and valuation list for different offerings. The book then ends rather abruptly. In reflection on Leviticus we see over and over again that enabling people to come and worship God is at the heart and center of the text. God seeks people to worship him. He makes a way for us to approach his throne.
John 1 - John presents Jesus very boldly as the eternal Son of God who has come to his own people as the one who would take away their sins. As he is beginning his work he himself gathers disciples, counter to common practice where disciples seek out a teacher.
John 2 - John is all about Jesus being greater than nature, as well as Jesus being the one who provides purification. Notice the link at the wedding - the wine is created in jars used for purification. Jesus will later present wine as his blood which purifies us from sin.
John 3 - This theme of purification comes up again, as Jesus not only helps Nicodemus see that he needs cleansing from God as a rebirth, not of his own works or obedience but like a child being born. John continues to link baptism, purification, the Holy Spirit, and faith in Jesus together in his gospel.
The way that John ties in all his different elements always impresses me. Trying to comment on what he says is a little like trying to describe a great painting to a person who has always been blind.
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