Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Dr. Kari Vo "Just a Colt" for Thursday, March 1, 2018
(Jesus said) "Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to Me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord needs them,' and he will send them at once." (Matthew 21:2-3) Read Matthew 21:1-11
Matthew 21:1 As they were approaching Yerushalayim, they came to Beit-Pagei on the Mount of Olives. Yeshua sent two talmidim 2 with these instructions: “Go into the village ahead of you, and you will immediately find a donkey tethered there with its colt. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, tell him, ‘The Lord needs them’; and he will let them go at once.” 4 This happened in order to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet,
5 “Say to the daughter of Tziyon,
‘Look! Your King is coming to you,
riding humbly on a donkey,
and on a colt, the offspring of a beast of burden!’[Matthew 21:5 Zechariah 9:9]
6 So the talmidim went and did as Yeshua had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put their robes on them, and Yeshua sat on them. 8 Crowds of people carpeted the road with their clothing, while others cut branches from trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds ahead of him and behind shouted,
“Please! Deliver us!”[Matthew 21:9 Greek Ôsanna (English “Hosanna”) transliterates Hebrew Hosha na, which means “Please! Save [us]!”]
to the Son of David;
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of Adonai!”
“You in the highest heaven! Please! Deliver us!”[
Matthew 21:9 Psalm 118:25–26][Matthew 21:9 Greek Ôsanna (English “Hosanna”) transliterates Hebrew Hosha na, which means “Please! Save [us]!”]
10 When he entered Yerushalayim, the whole city was stirred. “Who is this?” they asked. 11 And the crowds answered, “This is Yeshua, the prophet from Natzeret in the Galil.”
***
It was just a colt -- a young donkey, old enough to carry someone safely, but young enough that nobody had trained it that way yet. And it was still with its mother.
That was the animal Jesus chose to ride into Jerusalem as King and Savior. It was customary for Jewish royalty to ride donkeys or mules -- we can read about it in the days of King David -- but surely all those animals were well-trained before the princes ever sat on them. Riding an unbroken colt is a good way to end up on your backside in the dust!
That's even more likely if the animal you're riding has no proper bridle or saddle, just a cloak or two thrown across its back. Add in the noise of screaming crowds, the waving of palm branches, the press of human bodies -- it's a recipe for disaster.
But not for Jesus, no. That unbroken colt carried Him safely and calmly through the crowds, right through the gates of Jerusalem. Jesus' divine power no doubt had something to do with it -- as well as His kindness and forethought in having the disciples bring the colt's older and wiser mother along as well. By evening the two donkeys would have been safely back home, sleeping in peace.
The same could not be said for Jesus Himself. Jesus' own nights of safety could be counted on a single hand -- Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Thursday evening He would eat His last meal with the disciples He loved; a few hours later He would be arrested. There would be no sleep for Him again until after the cross.
He knew this, of course -- and He welcomed it. By His suffering and death, He would save all of us, young and old, foolish and wise alike. His sleep in death meant that we would be able to sleep in peace. And His resurrection in joy and power means that we who belong to Him can always wake up in trust and hope. He cares for us, even us. There can be no greater proof of it.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, You gave Your life to make me safely Yours. Thank You. Amen.
Today's Bible in a Year Reading: Leviticus 13; Mark 7:14-37
Leviticus 13:1 Adonai said to Moshe and Aharon, 2 “If someone develops on his skin a swelling, scab or bright spot which could develop into the disease tzara‘at, he is to be brought to Aharon the cohen or to one of his sons who are cohanim. 3 The cohen is to examine the sore on his skin; if the hair in the sore has turned white, and the sore appears to go deep into the skin, it is tzara‘at, and after examining him the cohen is to declare him unclean. 4 If the bright spot on his skin is white, but it does not appear to go deep into the skin, and its hair has not turned white, then the cohen is to isolate him for seven days. 5 On the seventh day the cohen is to examine him again, and if the sore appears the same as before and has not spread on the skin, then the cohen is to isolate him for seven more days. (LY: ii) 6 On the seventh day the cohen is to examine him again, and if the sore has faded and hasn’t spread on the skin, then the cohen is to declare him clean — it is only a scab, so he is to wash his clothes and be clean. 7 But if the scab spreads further on the skin after he has been examined by the cohen and declared clean, he is to let himself be examined yet again by the cohen. 8 The cohen will examine him, and if he sees that the scab has spread on his skin, then the cohen will declare him unclean; it is tzara‘at.
***
That was the animal Jesus chose to ride into Jerusalem as King and Savior. It was customary for Jewish royalty to ride donkeys or mules -- we can read about it in the days of King David -- but surely all those animals were well-trained before the princes ever sat on them. Riding an unbroken colt is a good way to end up on your backside in the dust!
That's even more likely if the animal you're riding has no proper bridle or saddle, just a cloak or two thrown across its back. Add in the noise of screaming crowds, the waving of palm branches, the press of human bodies -- it's a recipe for disaster.
But not for Jesus, no. That unbroken colt carried Him safely and calmly through the crowds, right through the gates of Jerusalem. Jesus' divine power no doubt had something to do with it -- as well as His kindness and forethought in having the disciples bring the colt's older and wiser mother along as well. By evening the two donkeys would have been safely back home, sleeping in peace.
The same could not be said for Jesus Himself. Jesus' own nights of safety could be counted on a single hand -- Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Thursday evening He would eat His last meal with the disciples He loved; a few hours later He would be arrested. There would be no sleep for Him again until after the cross.
He knew this, of course -- and He welcomed it. By His suffering and death, He would save all of us, young and old, foolish and wise alike. His sleep in death meant that we would be able to sleep in peace. And His resurrection in joy and power means that we who belong to Him can always wake up in trust and hope. He cares for us, even us. There can be no greater proof of it.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, You gave Your life to make me safely Yours. Thank You. Amen.
Reflection Questions
- When you were young, what comfort allowed you to sleep in peace?
- As an adult, have you ever guarded the sleep of others? How did you feel about your responsibility?
- Jesus guards our sleep-both in this world and in death, until the day He returns and awakens our bodies to live forever. Say or write a prayer of thanks for His care.
Today's Bible in a Year Reading: Leviticus 13; Mark 7:14-37
Leviticus 13:1 Adonai said to Moshe and Aharon, 2 “If someone develops on his skin a swelling, scab or bright spot which could develop into the disease tzara‘at, he is to be brought to Aharon the cohen or to one of his sons who are cohanim. 3 The cohen is to examine the sore on his skin; if the hair in the sore has turned white, and the sore appears to go deep into the skin, it is tzara‘at, and after examining him the cohen is to declare him unclean. 4 If the bright spot on his skin is white, but it does not appear to go deep into the skin, and its hair has not turned white, then the cohen is to isolate him for seven days. 5 On the seventh day the cohen is to examine him again, and if the sore appears the same as before and has not spread on the skin, then the cohen is to isolate him for seven more days. (LY: ii) 6 On the seventh day the cohen is to examine him again, and if the sore has faded and hasn’t spread on the skin, then the cohen is to declare him clean — it is only a scab, so he is to wash his clothes and be clean. 7 But if the scab spreads further on the skin after he has been examined by the cohen and declared clean, he is to let himself be examined yet again by the cohen. 8 The cohen will examine him, and if he sees that the scab has spread on his skin, then the cohen will declare him unclean; it is tzara‘at.
9 “If a person has tzara‘at, he is to be brought to the cohen. 10 The cohen is to examine him, and if he sees that there is a white swelling in the skin which has turned the hair white and inflamed flesh in the swelling, 11 then it is chronic tzara‘at on his skin, and the cohen is to declare him unclean; he is not to isolate him, because it is already clear that he is unclean. 12 If the tzara‘at breaks out all over the skin, so that, as far as the cohen can see, the person with tzara‘at has sores everywhere on his body, from his head to his feet; 13 then the cohen is to examine him, and if he sees that the tzara‘at has covered his entire body, he is to pronounce the person with the sores clean — it has all turned white, and he is clean. 14 But if one day inflamed flesh appears on him, he will be unclean. 15 The cohen will examine the inflamed flesh and declare him unclean; the inflamed flesh is unclean; it is tzara‘at. 16 However, if the inflamed flesh again turns white, he is to come to the cohen. 17 The cohen will examine him, and if he sees that the sores have turned white, then the cohen is to declare clean the person with the sores; he is clean.
(LY: iii) 18 “If a person has on his skin a boil that heals 19 in such a way that in place of the boil there is a white swelling or a reddish-white bright spot, it is to be shown to the cohen. 20 The cohen is to examine it; if he sees that it appears to be more than skin-deep, and its hair has turned white, then the cohen is to pronounce him unclean — the disease of tzara‘at has broken out in the boil. 21 But if the cohen looks at it and doesn’t see any white hairs in it, and it isn’t more than skin-deep but appears faded, the cohen is to isolate him for seven days. 22 If it spreads on the skin, the cohen is to declare him unclean; it is the disease. 23 But if the bright spot stays where it was and has not spread, it is the scar of the boil; and the cohen is to declare him clean.
(RY: ii, LY: iv) 24 “Or if someone has on his skin a burn caused by fire; and the inflamed flesh where it was burned has become a bright spot, reddish-white or white, 25 then the cohen is to examine it; and if he sees that the hair in the bright spot has turned white and that it appears to be deeper than the skin around it, it is tzara‘at; it has broken out in the burn, and the cohen is to declare him unclean; it is a sore from tzara‘at. 26 But if the cohen examines it and sees no white hair in the bright spot, and it is no lower than the skin around it but looks faded, then the cohen is to isolate him for seven days. 27 On the seventh day the cohen is to examine him; if it has spread on the skin, then the cohen is to declare him unclean; it is a sore from tzara‘at. 28 But if the bright spot stays where it was and has not spread on the skin but appears faded, it is a swelling due to the burn; and the cohen is to declare him clean; because it is only a scar from the burn.
(LY: v) 29 “If a man or woman has a sore on the head or a man in his beard, 30 then the cohen is to examine the sore; if he sees that it appears to be deeper than the skin around it, with yellow, thin hair in it, then the cohen is to declare him unclean; it is a crusted area, a tzara‘at of the head or beard. 31 If the cohen examines the diseased crusted area and sees that it appears not to be deeper than the skin around it, and without any black hair in it, then the cohen is to isolate for seven days the person with the diseased crusted area. 32 On the seventh day the cohen is to examine the sore, and if he sees that the crusted area hasn’t spread, that it has no yellow hair in it, and that the crusted area is not deeper than the skin around it; 33 then the person is to be shaved, except for the crusted area itself, and the cohen is to isolate him for seven more days. 34 On the seventh day the cohen is to examine the crusted area; and if he sees that the crusted area has not spread on the skin and does not appear to be deeper than the skin around it, then the cohen is to declare him clean; he is to wash his clothes and be clean. 35 But if the crusted area spreads after his purification, 36 then the cohen is to examine him; and if he sees that the crusted area has spread on the skin, the cohen is not to look for yellow hair; he is unclean. 37 But if the crusted area’s appearance doesn’t change, and black hair grows up in it, then the crusted area is healed; he is clean; and the cohen is to declare him clean.
(RY: iii, LY: vi) 38 “If a man or woman has bright spots on his skin, bright white spots; 39 then the cohen is to examine them. If he sees that the bright spots on the skin are dull white, it is only a rash that has broken out on the skin; he is clean.
40 “If a man’s hair has fallen from his scalp, he is bald; but he is clean. 41 If his hair has fallen off the front part of his head, he is forehead-bald; but he is clean. 42 But if on the bald scalp or forehead there is a reddish-white sore, it is tzara‘at breaking out on his bald scalp or forehead. 43 Then the cohen is to examine him; if he sees that there is a reddish-white swelling on his bald scalp or forehead, appearing like tzara‘at on the rest of the body, 44 he is a person with tzara‘at; he is unclean; the cohen must declare him unclean; the sore is on his head.
45 “Everyone who has tzara‘at sores is to wear torn clothes and unbound hair, cover his upper lip and cry, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ 46 As long as he has sores, he will be unclean; since he is unclean, he must live in isolation; he must live outside the camp.
47 “When tzara‘at infects an article of clothing, whether it be a woolen or a linen garment, 48 on the threads or the woven-in parts of either linen or wool, or on a hide or item made of leather; 49 then if the stain on the garment, hide, threads, woven-in parts or leather item is greenish or reddish, it is an infection of tzara‘at and is to be shown to the cohen. 50 The cohen is to examine the stain and isolate the article that has the infection for seven days. 51 On the seventh day he is to examine the stain; if the stain has spread on the garment, threads, woven-in parts or leather, whatever its use, the infection is a contagious tzara‘at; the garment is unclean. 52 He is to burn the garment, threads, woven-in parts of either wool or linen, or item of leather having the infection; for it is a contagious tzara‘at; it must be burned up completely. 53 But if, when the cohen examines it, he sees that the infection has not spread on the garment or in the threads, woven-in parts or leather item, 54 then the cohen is to order that the article having the infection be washed and isolated for seven more days. (RY: iv, LY: vii) 55 The cohen is to examine it after the stain has been washed, and if he sees that the stain has not changed color, then, even though the stain has not spread, it is unclean; you are to burn it up completely — it is rotten, no matter whether the spot is on the outside or on the inside. 56 If the cohen examines it and sees that the stain has faded after being washed, then he is to tear the stain out of the garment, leather, threads or woven-in parts. (LY: Maftir) 57 If it appears again in the garment, threads, woven-in parts or leather item, it is contagious, and you are to burn up completely the article that had the stain. 58 But if the infection is gone from the garment, threads, woven-in parts or leather item that you washed, then it is to be washed a second time, and it will be clean. 59 This is the law concerning infections of tzara‘at in a garment of wool or linen, or in the threads or the woven-in parts, or in any leather item — when to declare it clean and when to declare it unclean.
Mark 7:14 Then Yeshua called the people to him again and said, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand this! 15 There is nothing outside a person which, by going into him, can make him unclean. Rather, it is the things that come out of a person which make a person unclean!” 16 [Mark 7:16 Some manuscripts include verse 7:16: “Anyone who has ears that can hear, let him hear!”]
17 When he had left the people and entered the house, his talmidim asked him about the parable. 18 He replied to them, “So you too are without understanding? Don’t you see that nothing going into a person from outside can make him unclean? 19 For it doesn’t go into his heart but into his stomach, and it passes out into the latrine.” (Thus he declared all foods ritually clean.) 20 “It is what comes out of a person,” he went on, “that makes him unclean. 21 For from within, out of a person’s heart, come forth wicked thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 greed, malice, deceit, indecency, envy, slander, arrogance, foolishness…. 23 All these wicked things come from within, and they make a person unclean.”
24 Next, Yeshua left that district and went off to the vicinity of Tzor and Tzidon. There he found a house to stay in and wanted to remain unrecognized, but keeping hidden proved impossible. 25 Instead, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit in her came to him and fell down at his feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, by birth a Syro-phoenician, and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter. 27 He said, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children’s food and toss it to their pet dogs.” 28 She answered him, “That is true, sir; but even the dogs under the table eat the children’s leftovers.” 29 Then he said to her, “For such an answer you may go on home; the demon has left your daughter.” 30 She went back home and found the child lying on the couch, the demon gone.
31 Then he left the district of Tzor and went through Tzidon to Lake Kinneret and on to the region of the Ten Towns. 32 They brought him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment and asked Yeshua to lay his hand on him. 33 Taking him off alone, away from the crowd, Yeshua put his fingers into the man’s ears, spat, and touched his tongue; 34 then, looking up to heaven, he gave a deep groan and said to him, “Hippatach!” (that is, “Be opened!”). 35 His ears were opened, his tongue was freed, and he began speaking clearly. 36 Yeshua ordered the people to tell no one; but the more he insisted, the more zealously they spread the news. 37 People were overcome with amazement. “Everything he does, he does well!” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak!”
***
The Lutheran Hour Ministries in Saint Louis, Missouri, United States - Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Dr. Kari Vo - Lent Devotion - Tuesday, February 27, 2018 "Extravagant Love"
Read John 12:1-8
John 12:1 Six days before Pesach, Yeshua came to Beit-Anyah, where El‘azar lived, the man Yeshua had raised from the dead; 2 so they gave a dinner there in his honor. Marta served the meal, and El‘azar was among those at the table with him. 3 Miryam took a whole pint of pure oil of spikenard, which is very expensive, poured it on Yeshua’s feet and wiped his feet with her hair, so that the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But one of the talmidim, Y’hudah from K’riot, the one who was about to betray him, said, 5 “This perfume is worth a year’s wages! Why wasn’t it sold and the money given to the poor?” 6 Now he said this not out of concern for the poor, but because he was a thief — he was in charge of the common purse and used to steal from it. 7 Yeshua said, “Leave her alone! She kept this for the day of my burial. 8 You always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
***
Put yourself in Mary's place. It hadn't been that long since she was weeping for her dead brother Lazarus at Jesus' feet. Jesus raised him from the dead, and now the family was giving a dinner party in His honor. How could she ever find a way to thank Him?
Martha did it through cooking and serving the dinner -- that was her gift. But Mary wanted to do something else. So she brought out a treasure -- a flask of pure nard ointment, which was probably the most expensive thing they had in the house. Then she poured it over Jesus' head and feet (see Mark 14:3, John 12:3). Finally, she knelt to wipe His feet dry with her hair -- unthinkable for a Jewish woman.
Why do this? Anointing was a custom they had for honored guests. It was also the way priests were ordained and kings were installed as rulers. The very name "Messiah" (or "Christ") means "the Anointed One." Perhaps all these things were in her heart as she honored Jesus.
When we think about what Jesus has done for us, we find ourselves in Mary's dilemma. How can we thank Him for what He has done? He sought us out, called us to be His own, laid down His life to save us, rose from the dead to give us everlasting life -- how can we ever love Him enough? It hurts trying to express such feelings. And so we look around for some action, some way to say "Thank You. I love You," when words fail us.
Thanks be to God, Jesus has given us ways to express that love. He has given us Baptism and the Lord's Supper. He has given us our neighbors, even the lowliest, and promised that "as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to Me" (Matthew 25:40b).
John tells us that the house was filled with the fragrance of the nard. As we seek to love the Lord like she did, may the world be filled with the fragrance of our own thank offerings.
THE PRAYER: I love You, Lord. Strengthen my love for You, and let it show in my actions. Amen.
Today's Bible in a Year Reading: Leviticus 8-10; Mark 6:30-56
Leviticus 8:1 (iv) Adonai said to Moshe, 2 “Take Aharon and his sons with him, the garments, the anointing oil, the bull for the sin offering, the two rams and the basket of matzah; 3 and assemble the entire community at the entrance to the tent of meeting.” 4 Moshe did as Adonai ordered him, and the community was assembled at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 5 Moshe said to the community, “This is what Adonai has ordered to be done.”
The Lutheran Hour Ministries in Saint Louis, Missouri, United States - Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Dr. Kari Vo - Lent Devotion - Tuesday, February 27, 2018 "Extravagant Love"
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Dr. Kari Vo "Extravagant Love" for Tuesday, February 27, 2018
Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. (John 12:3) Read John 12:1-8
John 12:1 Six days before Pesach, Yeshua came to Beit-Anyah, where El‘azar lived, the man Yeshua had raised from the dead; 2 so they gave a dinner there in his honor. Marta served the meal, and El‘azar was among those at the table with him. 3 Miryam took a whole pint of pure oil of spikenard, which is very expensive, poured it on Yeshua’s feet and wiped his feet with her hair, so that the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But one of the talmidim, Y’hudah from K’riot, the one who was about to betray him, said, 5 “This perfume is worth a year’s wages! Why wasn’t it sold and the money given to the poor?” 6 Now he said this not out of concern for the poor, but because he was a thief — he was in charge of the common purse and used to steal from it. 7 Yeshua said, “Leave her alone! She kept this for the day of my burial. 8 You always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
***
Put yourself in Mary's place. It hadn't been that long since she was weeping for her dead brother Lazarus at Jesus' feet. Jesus raised him from the dead, and now the family was giving a dinner party in His honor. How could she ever find a way to thank Him?
Martha did it through cooking and serving the dinner -- that was her gift. But Mary wanted to do something else. So she brought out a treasure -- a flask of pure nard ointment, which was probably the most expensive thing they had in the house. Then she poured it over Jesus' head and feet (see Mark 14:3, John 12:3). Finally, she knelt to wipe His feet dry with her hair -- unthinkable for a Jewish woman.
Why do this? Anointing was a custom they had for honored guests. It was also the way priests were ordained and kings were installed as rulers. The very name "Messiah" (or "Christ") means "the Anointed One." Perhaps all these things were in her heart as she honored Jesus.
When we think about what Jesus has done for us, we find ourselves in Mary's dilemma. How can we thank Him for what He has done? He sought us out, called us to be His own, laid down His life to save us, rose from the dead to give us everlasting life -- how can we ever love Him enough? It hurts trying to express such feelings. And so we look around for some action, some way to say "Thank You. I love You," when words fail us.
Thanks be to God, Jesus has given us ways to express that love. He has given us Baptism and the Lord's Supper. He has given us our neighbors, even the lowliest, and promised that "as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to Me" (Matthew 25:40b).
John tells us that the house was filled with the fragrance of the nard. As we seek to love the Lord like she did, may the world be filled with the fragrance of our own thank offerings.
THE PRAYER: I love You, Lord. Strengthen my love for You, and let it show in my actions. Amen.
Reflection Questions
- What would you do for Jesus if He came to your house as a dinner guest?
- How do you say "I love you" to the Lord through your actions today?
- How has Jesus said "I love you" to you? List as many ways as you can think of.
Today's Bible in a Year Reading: Leviticus 8-10; Mark 6:30-56
Leviticus 8:1 (iv) Adonai said to Moshe, 2 “Take Aharon and his sons with him, the garments, the anointing oil, the bull for the sin offering, the two rams and the basket of matzah; 3 and assemble the entire community at the entrance to the tent of meeting.” 4 Moshe did as Adonai ordered him, and the community was assembled at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 5 Moshe said to the community, “This is what Adonai has ordered to be done.”
6 Moshe brought Aharon and his sons, washed them with water, 7 put the tunic on him, wrapped the sash around him, clothed him with the robe, put the ritual vest on him, wrapped around him the decorated belt and fastened the vest to him with it. 8 He put the breastplate on him, and on the breastplate he put the urim and tumim. 9 He set the turban on his head, and on the front of the turban he affixed the gold plate, the holy ornament, as Adonai had ordered Moshe.
10 Then Moshe took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and everything in it, thus consecrating them. 11 He sprinkled some on the altar seven times, anointing the altar with all its utensils and the basin with its base, to consecrate them. 12 He poured some of the anointing oil on Aharon’s head and anointed him, to consecrate him. 13 Moshe brought Aharon’s sons, clothed them with tunics, wrapped sashes on them and put headgear on them, as Adonai had ordered Moshe.
(v) 14 Then the young bull for the sin offering was brought, and Aharon and his sons laid their hands on the head of the bull for the sin offering. 15 After it had been slaughtered, Moshe took the blood and put it on the horns of the altar all the way around with his finger, thus purifying the altar. The remaining blood he poured out at the base of the altar and consecrated it, to make atonement for it. 16 Moshe took all the fat on the inner organs, the covering of the liver, the two kidneys and their fat, and made it go up in smoke on the altar. 17 But the bull, its hide, its flesh and its dung were taken outside the camp and burned up completely, as Adonai had ordered Moshe.
18 Next, the ram for the burnt offering was presented. Aharon and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram; 19 and after it had been slaughtered, Moshe splashed the blood on all sides of the altar. 20 When the ram had been cut in pieces, Moshe made the head, the pieces and the fat go up in smoke. 21 When the inner organs and the lower parts of the legs had been washed with water, Moshe made the entire ram go up in smoke on the altar; it was a burnt offering giving a fragrant aroma, an offering made by fire to Adonai — as Adonai had ordered Moshe.
(vi) 22 Then the other ram was presented, the ram of consecration; Aharon and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram. 23 After it had been slaughtered, Moshe took some of its blood and put it on the tip of Aharon’s right ear, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. 24 Next Aharon’s sons were brought, and Moshe put some of the blood on the tips of their right ears, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet; then Moshe splashed the blood on all sides of the altar. 25 He took the fat, the fat tail, all the fat covering the inner organs, the covering of the liver, the two kidneys with their fat, and the right thigh. 26 From the basket of matzah that was before Adonai he took one piece of matzah, one cake of oiled bread, and one wafer, and placed them on the fat and on the right thigh. 27 Then he put it all in Aharon’s hands and in the hands of his sons and waved them as a wave offering before Adonai. 28 Moshe took them out of their hands and made them go up in smoke on the altar on top of the burnt offering; they were a consecration offering giving a fragrant aroma; an offering made by fire to Adonai. 29 Moshe took the breast and waved it as a wave offering before Adonai; it was Moshe’s portion of the ram of consecration — as Adonai had ordered Moshe.
(vii) 30 Moshe took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood which was on the altar and sprinkled it on Aharon and his clothing, and on his sons with him and their clothing, and consecrated Aharon and his clothing together with his sons and their clothing.
31 Moshe said to Aharon and his sons, “Boil the meat at the door of the tent of meeting; and eat it there with the bread that is in the basket of consecration, as I ordered when I said that Aharon and his sons are to eat it. 32 Whatever is left over of the meat and bread you are to burn up completely. (Maftir) 33 You are not to go out from the entrance to the tent of meeting for seven days, until the days of your consecration are over; since Adonai will be consecrating you for seven days. 34 He ordered done what has been done today, in order to make atonement for you. 35 You are to remain at the entrance to the tent of meeting day and night for seven days, thereby obeying what Adonai ordered done, so that you may not die. For this is what I was ordered.” 36 Aharon and his sons did all the things which Adonai ordered through Moshe.
9:1 On the eighth day, Moshe called Aharon, his sons and the leaders of Isra’el, 2 and said to Aharon, “Take a male calf for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering, both without defect, and offer them before Adonai. 3 Then tell the people of Isra’el, ‘Take a male goat for a sin offering and a calf and a lamb, both a year old and without defect, for a burnt offering, 4 and an ox and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before Adonai; also a grain offering mixed with olive oil — because today Adonai is going to appear to you.’” 5 They brought what Moshe had ordered before the tent of meeting, and the whole community approached and stood before Adonai.
6 Moshe said, “This is what Adonai has ordered you to do, so that the glory of Adonai will appear to you.” 7 Moshe told Aharon, “Approach the altar, offer your sin offering and burnt offering, and make atonement for yourself and the people. Then present the offering of the people and make atonement for them, as Adonai ordered.” 8 So Aharon approached the altar and slaughtered the calf of the sin offering which was for himself. 9 The sons of Aharon presented the blood to him; and he dipped his finger in the blood and put it on the horns of the altar; then he poured out the blood at the base of the altar. 10 But the fat, the kidneys and the covering of the liver of the sin offering he made go up in smoke on the altar, as Adonai had ordered Moshe. 11 The meat and the skin were burned up completely outside the camp.
12 Next he slaughtered the burnt offering; Aharon’s sons brought him the blood, and he splashed it against all sides of the altar. 13 They brought him the burnt offering, piece by piece, and the head; and he made them go up in smoke on the altar. 14 He washed the inner organs and the lower parts of the legs and made them go up in smoke on top of the burnt offering on the altar.
15 Then the people’s offering was presented. He took the goat of the sin offering which was for the people, slaughtered it and offered it for sin, like the earlier sin offering. 16 The burnt offering was presented, and he offered it in the prescribed manner. (ii) 17 The grain offering was presented; he took a handful of it and made it go up in smoke on the altar, in addition to the morning’s burnt offering. 18 He slaughtered the ox and the ram, the people’s sacrifice as peace offerings; Aharon’s sons brought him the blood, which he splashed against all sides of the altar, 19 and the fat of the ox and of the ram — the fat tail, the fat which covers the inner organs, the kidneys and the covering of the liver. 20 They put the fat on the breasts, and he made the fat go up in smoke on the altar. 21 The breasts and right thigh Aharon waved as a wave offering before Adonai, as Moshe had ordered.
22 Aharon raised his hands toward the people, blessed them and came down from offering the sin offering, the burnt offering and the peace offerings. 23 Moshe and Aharon entered the tent of meeting, came out and blessed the people. Then the glory of Adonai appeared to all the people! (iii) 24 Fire came forth from the presence of Adonai, consuming the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.
10:1 But Nadav and Avihu, sons of Aharon, each took his censer, put fire in it, laid incense on it, and offered unauthorized fire before Adonai, something he had not ordered them to do. 2 At this, fire came forth from the presence of Adonai and consumed them, so that they died in the presence of Adonai. 3 Moshe said to Aharon, “This is what Adonai said:
‘Through those who are near me I will be consecrated,
and before all the people I will be glorified.’”
Aharon kept silent.
4 Moshe called Misha’el and Eltzafan, sons of ‘Uzi’el Aharon’s uncle, and told them, “Come here, and carry your cousins away from in front of the sanctuary to a place outside the camp.” 5 They approached and carried them in their tunics out of the camp, as Moshe had said.
6 Then Moshe told Aharon and his sons El‘azar and Itamar, “Don’t unbind your hair or tear your clothes in mourning, so that you won’t die and so that Adonai won’t be angry with the entire community. Rather, let your kinsmen — the whole house of Isra’el — mourn, because of the destruction Adonai brought about with his fire. 7 Moreover, don’t leave the entrance to the tent of meeting, or you will die, because Adonai’s anointing oil is on you.”
8 Adonai said to Aharon, 9 “Don’t drink any wine or other intoxicating liquor, neither you nor your sons with you, when you enter the tent of meeting, so that you will not die. This is to be a permanent regulation through all your generations, 10 so that you will distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean; 11 and so that you will teach the people of Isra’el all the laws Adonai has told them through Moshe.”
(iv) 12 Moshe said to Aharon and to El‘azar and Itamar, his remaining sons, “Take the grain offering left from the offerings for Adonai made by fire, and eat it without leaven next to the altar, because it is especially holy. 13 Eat it in a holy place, because it is your and your sons’ share of the offerings for Adonai made by fire; for this is what I have been ordered. 14 The breast that was waved and the thigh that was raised you are to eat in a clean place — you, your sons and your daughters with you; for these are given as your and your children’s share of the sacrifices of the peace offerings presented by the people of Isra’el. 15 They are to bring the raised thigh and the waved breast, along with the offerings of fat made by fire, and wave it as a wave offering before Adonai; then it will belong to you and your descendants with you as your perpetual share, as Adonai has ordered.”
(v) 16 Then Moshe carefully investigated what had happened to the goat of the sin offering and discovered that it had been burned up. He became angry with El‘azar and Itamar, the remaining sons of Aharon, and asked, 17 “Why didn’t you eat the sin offering in the area of the sanctuary, since it is especially holy? He gave it to you to take away the guilt of the community, to make atonement for them before Adonai. 18 Look! Its blood wasn’t brought into the sanctuary! You should have eaten it there in the sanctuary, as I ordered.” 19 Aharon answered Moshe, “Even though they offered their sin offering and burnt offering today, things like these have happened to me! If I had eaten the sin offering today, would it have pleased Adonai?” 20 On hearing this reply, Moshe was satisfied.
Mark 6:30 Those who had been sent out rejoined Yeshua and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31 There were so many people coming and going that they couldn’t even take time to eat, so he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a place where we can be alone, and you can get some rest.” 32 They went off by themselves to an isolated spot; 33 but many people, seeing them leave and recognizing them, ran ahead on foot from all the towns and got there first. 34 When Yeshua came ashore, he saw a huge crowd. Filled with compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, he began teaching them many things.
35 By this time, the hour was late. The talmidim came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s getting late. 36 Send the people away, so that they can go and buy food for themselves in the farms and towns around here.” 37 But he answered them, “Give them something to eat, yourselves!” They replied, “We are to go and spend thousands on bread, and give it to them to eat?” 38 He asked them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and check.” When they had found out, they said, “Five. And two fish.” 39 Then he ordered all the people to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 They sat down in groups of fifty or a hundred. 41 Then he took the five loaves and the two fish, and, looking up toward heaven, made a b’rakhah. Next he broke up the loaves and began giving them to the talmidim to distribute. He also divided up the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate as much as they wanted, 43 and they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces and fish. 44 Those who ate the loaves numbered five thousand men.
45 Immediately Yeshua had his talmidim get in the boat and go on ahead of him toward the other side of the lake, toward Beit-Tzaidah, while he sent the crowds away. 46 After he had left them, he went into the hills to pray. 47 When night came, the boat was out on the lake, and he was by himself on land. 48 He saw that they were having difficulty rowing, because the wind was against them; so at around four o’clock in the morning he came toward them, walking on the lake! He meant to come alongside them; 49 but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought it was a ghost and let out a shriek; 50 for they had all seen him and were terrified. However, he spoke to them. “Courage,” he said, “it is I. Stop being afraid!” 51 He got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. They were completely astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves; on the contrary, their hearts had been made stone-like.
53 After they had made the crossing, they landed at Ginosar and anchored. 54 As soon as they got out of the boat, the people recognized him 55 and began running around throughout that whole region and bringing sick people on their stretchers to any place where they heard he was. 56 Wherever he went, in towns, cities or country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the tzitzit on his robe, and all who touched it were healed.
***
CPTLN Devocional de 27 de Febrero de 2018 - Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones
Entonces María tomó unos trescientos gramos de perfume de nardo puro, que era muy caro, y con él ungió los pies de Jesús, y con sus cabellos los enjugó. Y la casa se llenó con el olor del perfume. (Juan 12:3)
Trata de ponerte en el lugar de María. No hacía mucho que había estado llorando a los pies de Jesús por la muerte de su hermano Lázaro. Jesús lo había resucitado de la muerte y ahora la familia estaba dando una cena en su honor. ¿Cómo podía agradecerle?
Para Marta era más fácil: lo hacía poniendo en práctica su don de cocinar y servir. Pero María quería hacer algo más. Por eso buscó un tesoro: un frasco de perfume de nardo puro, que probablemente era lo más caro que había en la casa. Y sin más, lo derramó sobre la cabeza y los pies de Jesús (ver Marcos 14:3 y Juan 12:3). Finalmente, se arrodilló para enjugar los pies de Jesús con su cabello-algo totalmente impensable para una mujer judía.
¿Por qué hacer algo así? Era costumbre ungir a los invitados especiales. También era la forma en que se ordenaba a los sacerdotes y se instalaba a los reyes como gobernantes. El mismo nombre "Mesías" (o "Cristo") significa el "Ungido". Quizás todas estas cosas estaban en el corazón de María mientras ungía a Jesús.
Cuando pensamos en lo que Jesús ha hecho por nosotros, nos encontramos en el mismo dilema que María. ¿Cómo podemos agradecerle por todo lo que ha hecho? Nos buscó, nos llamó para que seamos suyos, dio su vida para salvarnos, resucitó de los muertos para darnos vida eterna... ¿cómo podremos amarlo lo suficiente? ¡El sólo tratar de expresar esos sentimientos duele! Entonces, cuando no encontramos palabras suficientes para expresar lo que nuestro corazón siente, buscamos otra manera de hacerlo.
Damos gracias a Dios porque Jesús nos ha dado formas de expresar ese amor. Nos ha dado el Bautismo y la Santa Cena. Nos ha dado prójimos, incluyendo a los más humildes, y nos ha prometido que "todo lo que hicieron por uno de mis hermanos más pequeños, por mí lo hicieron" (Mateo 25:40b).
Juan nos dice que la casa se llenó con el olor del perfume de nardo.
Que al amar a nuestro Señor, así como lo amó María, el mundo que nos rodea se llene del perfume de nuestra ofrenda de gratitud.
ORACIÓN: Gracias, Señor, por amarme y por permitirme amarte. Ayúdame a demostrar mi amor por ti en todo lo que hago y digo. Amén.
© Copyright 2018 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones
Si aún no lo ha hecho, le invitamos a que descargue en forma gratuita
los folletos de http://www.paraelcamino.com/booklets.asp
Meditaciones sobre las 7 palabras
(Disponible solo en PDF)
Las siete palabras de sufrimiento: "Padre, perdónalos... Hoy estarás conmigo en el paraíso... He ahí tu hijo, he ahí tu madre... Dios mío, Dios mío, ¿por qué me has abandonado?... Tengo sed... Consumado es... Padre, en tus manos encomiendo mi espíritu", comienzan y terminan con la exclamación "Padre". No hay razón para la vida ni la muerte y no hay explicación para el sufrimiento sin esta exclamación, sin esta palabra, sin este sufrimiento. Las sietes palabras de sufrimiento son el Evangelio del amor redentor.
Razones para creer
( Disponible en PDF y en folleto impreso)
Escrito con el propósito de mostrar lo razonable que es la fe cristiana, Razones para creerpresenta sus razones claramente y en forma convincente. Escrito por el pastor Stephen Hower, este folleto explica en forma concisa cómo el cristianismo tiene sentido.
Para comprar el folleto impreso Razones para creer Visite nuestra librería o llame al 800-944-5442.
Imprimir esta devoción
***
CPTLN Devocional de 27 de Febrero de 2018 - Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones
¡Utilice estas devociones en sus boletines! Usado con permiso. Todos los derechos reservados por la Int'l LLL
AMOR EXTRAVAGANTE
Febrero 27
Leer Juan 12:1-8
Juan 12:1 Seis días antes de la pascua, vino Jesús a Betania, donde estaba Lázaro, el que había estado muerto, y a quien había resucitado de los muertos.
2 Y le hicieron allí una cena; Marta servía, y Lázaro era uno de los que estaban sentados a la mesa con él.
3 Entonces María tomó una libra de perfume de nardo puro, de mucho precio, y ungió los pies de Jesús, y los enjugó con sus cabellos; y la casa se llenó del olor del perfume.
4 Y dijo uno de sus discípulos, Judas Iscariote hijo de Simón, el que le había de entregar:
5 ¿Por qué no fue este perfume vendido por trescientos denarios, y dado a los pobres?
6 Pero dijo esto, no porque se cuidara de los pobres, sino porque era ladrón, y teniendo la bolsa, sustraía de lo que se echaba en ella.
7 Entonces Jesús dijo: Déjala; para el día de mi sepultura ha guardado esto.
8 Porque a los pobres siempre los tendréis con vosotros, mas a mí no siempre me tendréis. (Reina-Valera 1960)
***Entonces María tomó unos trescientos gramos de perfume de nardo puro, que era muy caro, y con él ungió los pies de Jesús, y con sus cabellos los enjugó. Y la casa se llenó con el olor del perfume. (Juan 12:3)
Trata de ponerte en el lugar de María. No hacía mucho que había estado llorando a los pies de Jesús por la muerte de su hermano Lázaro. Jesús lo había resucitado de la muerte y ahora la familia estaba dando una cena en su honor. ¿Cómo podía agradecerle?
Para Marta era más fácil: lo hacía poniendo en práctica su don de cocinar y servir. Pero María quería hacer algo más. Por eso buscó un tesoro: un frasco de perfume de nardo puro, que probablemente era lo más caro que había en la casa. Y sin más, lo derramó sobre la cabeza y los pies de Jesús (ver Marcos 14:3 y Juan 12:3). Finalmente, se arrodilló para enjugar los pies de Jesús con su cabello-algo totalmente impensable para una mujer judía.
¿Por qué hacer algo así? Era costumbre ungir a los invitados especiales. También era la forma en que se ordenaba a los sacerdotes y se instalaba a los reyes como gobernantes. El mismo nombre "Mesías" (o "Cristo") significa el "Ungido". Quizás todas estas cosas estaban en el corazón de María mientras ungía a Jesús.
Cuando pensamos en lo que Jesús ha hecho por nosotros, nos encontramos en el mismo dilema que María. ¿Cómo podemos agradecerle por todo lo que ha hecho? Nos buscó, nos llamó para que seamos suyos, dio su vida para salvarnos, resucitó de los muertos para darnos vida eterna... ¿cómo podremos amarlo lo suficiente? ¡El sólo tratar de expresar esos sentimientos duele! Entonces, cuando no encontramos palabras suficientes para expresar lo que nuestro corazón siente, buscamos otra manera de hacerlo.
Damos gracias a Dios porque Jesús nos ha dado formas de expresar ese amor. Nos ha dado el Bautismo y la Santa Cena. Nos ha dado prójimos, incluyendo a los más humildes, y nos ha prometido que "todo lo que hicieron por uno de mis hermanos más pequeños, por mí lo hicieron" (Mateo 25:40b).
Juan nos dice que la casa se llenó con el olor del perfume de nardo.
Que al amar a nuestro Señor, así como lo amó María, el mundo que nos rodea se llene del perfume de nuestra ofrenda de gratitud.
ORACIÓN: Gracias, Señor, por amarme y por permitirme amarte. Ayúdame a demostrar mi amor por ti en todo lo que hago y digo. Amén.
© Copyright 2018 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones
Si aún no lo ha hecho, le invitamos a que descargue en forma gratuita
los folletos de http://www.paraelcamino.com/booklets.asp
(Disponible solo en PDF)
Las siete palabras de sufrimiento: "Padre, perdónalos... Hoy estarás conmigo en el paraíso... He ahí tu hijo, he ahí tu madre... Dios mío, Dios mío, ¿por qué me has abandonado?... Tengo sed... Consumado es... Padre, en tus manos encomiendo mi espíritu", comienzan y terminan con la exclamación "Padre". No hay razón para la vida ni la muerte y no hay explicación para el sufrimiento sin esta exclamación, sin esta palabra, sin este sufrimiento. Las sietes palabras de sufrimiento son el Evangelio del amor redentor.
( Disponible en PDF y en folleto impreso)
Escrito con el propósito de mostrar lo razonable que es la fe cristiana, Razones para creerpresenta sus razones claramente y en forma convincente. Escrito por el pastor Stephen Hower, este folleto explica en forma concisa cómo el cristianismo tiene sentido.
Para comprar el folleto impreso Razones para creer Visite nuestra librería o llame al 800-944-5442.
Imprimir esta devoción
***
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