Monday, February 27, 2012

Bible Reading Challenge - Week 9 Day 1 - John 19-21, Numbers 1-2

Our reading challenge for the day is John 19-21 and Numbers 1-2. I’ll hit a few highlights. You make comments too and fill in the gaps. What strikes you as specially significant?

John 19 - See how Jesus does not defend himself as we would. He allows people to abuse him though he is gently plain with Pilate about his identity. This is humility. Also see how the pagan soldiers fulfill prophecies of the Christ. Compare Psalm 22.

John 20 - Jesus is found missing from the tomb and begins to show himself to his disciples. What are his highest priorities in his interactions with these people who are terrified of their future?

John 21 - Jesus restores his disciples, re-orienting them to his priorities for them. How often we stray from his priority and need him to direct us again.

Numbers 1 - The book of Numbers gains its name from the counts taken of Israel. But there’s much more than statistical information here. See how God is providing food and water in the wilderness for a large nation - over a half million men eligible for war, plus women, children, and the aged, as well as all their livestock. This is no small feat! See that the Levites are exempted from military duty as they are engaged in making worship accessible to all the people.

Numbers 2 - In their encampment the tribe of Levi with the tabernacle is surrounded by all the other tribes. God’s presence is to be central in the nation of Israel.

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