Week 16 Thursday
Today we reach the Day of Atonement in Leviticus, remember in Psalm 75 that God alone is the Judge, and see Paul and Barnabas part ways in Acts, yet both still used by God.
Leviticus 16
📖 What are we reading?: The high point of the sacrificial system: Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which provided a complete ceremonial cleansing for the whole community of Israel and the tabernacle for the year ahead.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He deals fully with sin. The two goats represent our sins being a) forgiven and b) taken away from us into the wilderness.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Praise God today for Jesus, who has done for us everything this day pointed towards - our sins are forgiven and carried far away!
Looking for some extra info?
➡️ 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 75
📖 What are we reading?: A short Psalm declaring that God is the one who judges, and that nobody can exalt themselves.
✞ What does this passage say about God? Verses 6-7 are sobering - promotion comes from Him alone, and He is the final Judge.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? If we are in Christ, we can echo verse 9 in our hearts as we consider God's judgement. Let us join the Psalmist in declaring His praise, for He is worthy!
Looking for some extra info?
➡️ 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 15:36-41
📖 What are we reading?: A sad moment, as Paul and Barnabas split after a disagreement over whether to take John Mark with them on their next journey.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He is gracious and still works great wonders through both men, even when His people part ways. Their disagreement didn't stop His mission.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Even holy people of God will not always see eye to eye. May we handle our disagreements with grace, as Barnabas did here, and trust God to keep working through all of us.
Looking for some extra info?
📝 A devotion on Barnabas giving the grace that Paul wasn't willing to.
➡️ 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 You have forgiven our sins and carried them far away, that You alone are the righteous Judge, and that You keep working through Your people even when we disagree. Help us to offer grace to others, as Barnabas did, and to declare Your praise today. Amen.
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