Today’s reading: Num 5:1–31, John 13:1–20, Ps 6:1–10

Today’s theme: Our loving example

Jesus taught us a great lesson on love, service and humility by washing the disciples’ (including Judas’) feet. He calls us to walk in this type of supernatural love.

Numbers 5:1–31

Don’t break trust in God

“Speak to the people of Israel, When a man or woman commits any of the sins that people commit by breaking faith with the LORD, and that person realizes his guilt, Numbers 5:6 (ESV)

If we break faith with God it is itself a sin and leads unto more sin. It is like a type of adultery to turn our backs on the Lord and withdraw our trust from Him.

John 13:1–20

Our loving example

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, John 13:3 (ESV)

Jesus, knowing who He is, where He has come from and where He is going to, makes His humble act of service even more remarkable. Jesus even washed Judas’ feet. This displayed His love and gave us an example to follow.

Don’t have false security in activity

I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ John 13:18 (ESV)

Jesus chose Judas to be a disciple knowing all things. He knew that Judas would choose to betray Him regardless of all the love shown to him by Jesus. This shows that someone being called or chosen for ministry, or used for God’s purpose does not equate to or guarantee that that person has been elected to eternal salvation.

Psalm 6:1–10

Pray for the persecuted

All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled; they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment. Psalm 6:10 (ESV)

We can use this scripture as we pray for persecuted Christians.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on John 13

Today’s reading: Num 3:40–4:49, John 12:20–50, Ps 5:1–12

Today’s theme: Be God centered

A simple lesson among many others today is that we should lead God centered lives as opposed to self centered lives. Take time to pause and consider this truth in line with the reading today.

Numbers 3:40–4:49

Jesus had a priestly ministry

from thirty years old up to fifty years old, all who can come on duty, to do the work in the tent of meeting. Numbers 4:3 (ESV)

Jesus also began his ministry at the age of 30 just like the Levite priests (this is repeated throughout the chapter).

The priesthood of all believers

According to the commandment of the LORD through Moses they were listed, each one with his task of serving or carrying. Thus they were listed by him, as the LORD commanded Moses. Numbers 4:49 (ESV)

We are priests now in God’s Kingdom and each of us have a burden to bear and tasks to perform.

John 12:20–50

From sacrifice comes fruit

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. John 12:24 (ESV)

Jesus is speaking of Himself as the seed through His sacrificial death on the cross and subsequent resurrection, we receive life. Another lesson to learn from this is that we should also make sacrifices for the benefit of others.

Be God centered, not self centered

Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. John 12:25 (ESV)

Jesus, using His own self sacrifice as the example, makes a call to discipleship and faith. Our culture tells us to love ourselves, have self esteem and to think highly of ourselves while pursuing the western dream of success. However, to live with that mentality is to fundamentally deny the sovereignty and rule of God in our lives. We are effectively elevating ourselves to God in our own minds. Instead Jesus calls us to make God the center of our lives rather than focusing on our own self interests.

Serve Jesus

If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. John 12:26 (ESV)

We can be rewarded with a lasting, eternal honour by serving Jesus rather than serving ourselves. We must die to the desires of our flesh.

The work of the cross

Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. John 12:31 (ESV)

So much happened at the cross, the world is judged, Satan is dethroned and salvation is made available to all who are drawn to it.

Accept the words of Jesus

If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. John 12:47 (ESV)

Jesus came to save the world but rejection of Jesus’ words brings judgement. Acceptance of His words brings life.

Psalm 5:1–12

God hates the wicked

For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. Psalm 5:4–6 (ESV)

This is a very important and serious passage, it lets us know about God’s relationship to wickedness and evil:
1. He does not delight in it;
2. It may not dwell in His presence;
3. God does not “love the sinner but hate the sin”. This passage states that God hates evildoers (not hates evil but the doers of evil) and will destroy liars (not lies but those who tell lies);
4. God abhours people who are blood thirsty. He groups them with those who are deceitful, deceit and murderous intent are both abhorrent.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on John 12

Today’s reading: Num 3:1–39, John 12:1–19, Ps 3:1–4:8

Today’s theme: God is our shield

We are called to be God’s special guards like the Levities defending the faith once, for all time delivered to the Saints. In this we can rejoice that our God who puts joy in our hearts is our shield and reward too

Numbers 3:1–39

Guard the faith

They shall keep guard over him and over the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, as they minister at the tabernacle. Numbers 3:7 (ESV)

Throughout this chapter we read about the Levites duty to guard the tabernacle and kill offenders as well as carrying, dismantling and building it. As Christians we are a royal priesthood to God. We must defend the faith, killing all false teachings etc and minister in the body of Christ (Jude 3, Phil 1:27, 1 Peter 2:9).

John 12:1–19

Worship and justice

For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.” John 12:8 (ESV)

We should never allow ourselves to exchange extravagant devotion and worship to Jesus with the pursuit of social justice. Instead one should not be done without the other.

Psalm 3:1–4:8

God is our shield

But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. Psalm 3:3 (ESV)

In the middle of hostility we can take comfort in remembering that God is our shield, protecting us from the enemy. We can also be glad that God is our treasure and great reward.

Joy from and in God

You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. Psalm 4:7 (ESV)

There is a lot of good to think over in this Psalm. Verse 3 reminds us that God has set us apart while verse 4 reminds us not to sin when we are angry.

This verse reminds us that our true joy is to be found in God. He puts more satisfaction and joy in our hearts than anything of this world. Jesus said He wanted our joy to be full.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on John 12

Today’s reading: Num 1:47–2:34, John 11:28–57, Ps 2:1–12

Today’s theme: The King in the midst of His people

One of God’s great purposes is to be The King in the midst of His people. We see this in today’s reading and experience it today in the body of Christ and as believers through God the Holy Spirit. One day we will experience it in a richer way at the second coming when God Himself will dwell with His people.

Numbers 1:47–2:34

Approach God in holiness

But the Levites shall camp around the tabernacle of the testimony, so that there may be no wrath on the congregation of the people of Israel. And the Levites shall keep guard over the tabernacle of the testimony.” Numbers 1:53 (ESV)

The Levites were not included in the main census as it was concerned with fighting men. The Levites had a special charge over the Tabernacle, to carry it, set it up and guard it. They guarded it from anyone approaching it wrongly. We should still approach God in holiness and reverent fear.

The King in the midst of His people

Thus did the people of Israel. According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so they camped by their standards, and so they set out, each one in his clan, according to his fathers’ house. Numbers 2:34 (ESV)

The camps formation had the tabernacle at the centre, God dwelt in the midst of his people as their King. Jesus came and tabernacled with us as the Word become flesh. He is now in the midst of the church leading His army through the wilderness.

John 11:28–57

An amazing supernatural miracle

The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” John 11:44 (ESV)

Don’t read this lightly, this was an awesome miracle performed by Jesus. It points forward to a day when all who are in the graves will hear His voice. It also shines a light on the way we who are dead in sin are called into life by God.

One new man

and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. John 11:52 (ESV)

Jesus died to make one new people for God consisting of Jews and Gentiles all united by their faith in God through Jesus. One new man. The Church.

Psalm 2:1–12

Jesus in the Psalms

I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Psalm 2:7 (ESV)

This whole psalm points forward to Jesus, the incarnate son of God and the one true King. This points to both Jesus’ 1st and 2nd coming.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on John 11

Today’s reading: Num 1:1–46, John 11:1–27, Ps 1:1–6

Today’s theme: Enjoy God’s Word

There are lots of good lessons today and each can be learned with joy if we remember to delight in (enjoy) God’s law and think over it all day long. Make today a checkpoint for yourself with the bible reading plan, ask yourself if you are enjoying God’s word, if not then ask God to work on the desires of your heart and show you what needs to change.

Numbers 1:1–46

Jesus’ family line

from Judah, Nahshon the son of Amminadab; Numbers 1:7 (ESV)

These two show up in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew.

Judah the tribe of leadership

those listed of the tribe of Judah were 74,600. Numbers 1:27 (ESV)

Judah’s numbers were the largest, making them the most significant and reflecting their role of leadership. This points forward to the fact that Jesus will come from this tribe.

John 11:1–27

Sickness, to the glory of God

But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” John 11:4 (ESV)

This sickness would be used to display Gods glory through Jesus.

The resurrection and the life

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25–26 (ESV)

Without Jesus, resurrection unto eternal life is not possible, He is the only way. We have a great hope for our final resurrection and eternal life in Jesus. Our eternal life starts now!

Psalm 1:1–6

Enjoy God’s Word

but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:2 (ESV)

We should enjoy (delight) in God’s word the Bible and think about it all day long.

A fruitful tree

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:3 (ESV)

When a tree bears fruit it is not for it’s own benefit but for the benefit of others. Our lives will be a great blessing to others when we feed on the constant supply of God’s word.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on John 11