Week 16 Monday
Today we watch the priest diagnose leprosy in Leviticus, see Psalm 72 point to Jesus as the perfect King, and hear Paul and Barnabas turn the crowds in Lystra to the living God.
Leviticus 13
📖 What are we reading?: The priest diagnoses leprosy and other skin diseases. Those affected were treated harshly, since their health problems were so contagious.
✞ What does this passage say about God? Sin is often likened to leprosy, for the way it spreads and separates. Thank God that Jesus is our healer!
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Let's take sin as seriously as God does, aware of how it spreads and separates, and bring it to Jesus for healing.
Looking for some extra info?
🎤 Luke preaches on Jesus healing a leper.
🎤 Luke’s mentor Derek Wilson preaches on the leper that came back to thank Jesus.
➡️ The bigger picture: Leviticus was given to Moses shortly after the tabernacle was completed, around 1400 BC, and no other book in the Bible contains as much direct speech from God. Its theme is holiness and separation, though a careful reader will find Jesus in the details of these ancient rituals.
Psalm 72
📖 What are we reading?: A Psalm of Solomon, David's son. He asks God for many blessings on himself and his ministry, but then vitally, he turns the attention to God at the end.
✞ What does this passage say about God? This Psalm seems to point clearly to Jesus. Consider how these words describe our Lord, and worship Him today.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Let's pray for our country's leaders to reflect God in the way this Psalm describes.
Looking for some extra info?
📰 An article on how the Christmas carol "We Three Kings" links to this Psalm.
➡️ The bigger picture: The Psalms is a collection of 150 poems and songs, written by David and others, expressing the full range of human emotion in response to God and to life.
Acts 14:1-18
📖 What are we reading?: More people believe the good news through the preaching of Paul and Barnabas, which stirs up persecution from those opposed to the gospel. Then in Lystra a man is healed by Paul, and the people begin to treat him and Barnabas like gods.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He is "the living God" (verse 15), the only One worthy of worship, who works powerfully through His servants.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Unlike Herod a few chapters ago, these men of God immediately correct the people's mistake and point them to the one true God. When others praise us, do we do the same? Notice too that the crowds still wouldn't listen - we mustn't be surprised when the message is rejected.
Looking for some extra info?
➡️ The bigger picture: Luke's second book outlines the ministry of the early church - though it could just as well be called the Acts of the Holy Spirit, as He guides and grows Jesus' small movement into something that changes the world.
A Prayer for the Day
🙏 Lord, thank You that Jesus is our healer and the perfect King, and that You alone are the living God, worthy of all glory. Help us to take sin seriously, to pray for our leaders, and to point everyone to You today. Amen.
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