Today’s reading: Lev 15:1–16:34, John 9:1–12, Song 7:5–9

Today’s theme: Jesus, our scapegoat

We see the vivid imagery of the scapegoat (scape from escape, therefore the goat who provides a way to escape), which find its fulfilment in Jesus, who takes away our sin and makes a way of escape for us. We also read about the day of atonement which Jesus fulfilled in His once for all, sacrificial death.

Leviticus 15:1–16:34

Sexual purity is important

“Thus you shall keep the people of Israel separate from their uncleanness, lest they die in their uncleanness by defiling my tabernacle that is in their midst.” This is the law for him who has a discharge and for him who has an emission of semen, becoming unclean thereby; also for her who is unwell with her menstrual impurity, that is, for anyone, male or female, who has a discharge, and for the man who lies with a woman who is unclean. Leviticus 15:31–33 (ESV)

This no longer directly applies but we can learn from it that God takes our sexual purity seriously and addresses it often in the New Testament. see 2 Cor 12:21, Gal 5:19, Eph 5:3, Col 3:5

God’s holy presence

and the LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron your brother not to come at any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat that is on the ark, so that he may not die. For I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat. Leviticus 16:2 (ESV)

It is such a privilege that we can now come boldly before God’s throne of grace. Without Jesus, approaching God’s throne was a fearful and dangerous thing because God is holy and we are not.

Jesus, our scapegoat

but the goat on which the lot fell for Azazel shall be presented alive before the LORD to make atonement over it, that it may be sent away into the wilderness to Azazel. Leviticus 16:10 (ESV)

Azazel means scapegoat but also speaks of the place in the wilderness that the goat would go to, never to be seen again, a symbolic sign of sin being taken away. Jesus was our scapegoat, taking sin away.

The smoke of incense

and put the incense on the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is over the testimony, so that he does not die. Leviticus 16:13 (ESV)

The cloud of incense served a very practical (as well as ceremonial) purpose, it covered Aaron’s eyes so that he would not see God and die.

The day of Atonement, fulfilled

For on this day shall atonement be made for you to cleanse you. You shall be clean before the LORD from all your sins. Leviticus 16:30 (ESV)

Jesus fulfilled the day of atonement on the cross.

John 9:1–12

Sovereign over disability

Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. John 9:3 (ESV)

God (not the devil) is sovereign over disability. God created those disabled, for His purposes and to display His work in them, sometimes resulting in their healing.

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 9

Today’s reading: Lev 14:1–57, John 8:31–59, Song 7:1–4

Today’s theme: The reward of true discipleship

Leviticus 14:1–57

All those offering

one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering, along with a grain offering. And the priest shall make atonement before the LORD for him who is being cleansed. Leviticus 14:31 (ESV)

Thank God we no longer have to go through all of this. Jesus came and fulfilled all of this for us, by dying for our sins on the cross, rising from the dead and then ascending to heaven to be our High Priest. Jesus makes atonement for us through His sacrifice on the cross.

John 8:31–59

The reward of true discipleship

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” John 8:31–33 (ESV)

The evidence (staying in God’s word) and reward (knowing the truth, being free) of true discipleship.

The slavery of the will to sin

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. John 8:34–35 (ESV)

In today’s world we often talk about and exalt “free will” when in fact, in sin our will is bound (not free), to a slave master which is sin itself. The act of sin actively enslaves.

Sent by the Father

Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. John 8:42 (ESV)

It was the Father that sent the Son. Jesus submitted to the Father’s plan from before the world began.

Adopted to hear and understand

Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” John 8:47 (ESV)

Unless we are chosen by God we cannot understand Gods word or the teaching of Jesus. No amount of convincing will work without the help of the Holy Spirit. We believe the Bible not because we are wise or were convinced, but because God adopted us and made us His children.

Jesus, The I AM

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” John 8:58 (ESV)

Jesus’ bold claim to be God incarnate. The “I AM” is one of the most sacred names of God.

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 8

Today’s reading: Lev 12:1–13:59, John 8:12–30, Song 6:11–13

Today’s theme: Light of the world

Today we read the wonderful declaration of Jesus himself, that He is the light of the world, which is one of His many “I AM” statements that identify Himself with God. We should dedicate our lives to shinning the light of Jesus to the world.

Leviticus 12:1–13:59

Mary was obedient

And if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement for her, and she shall be clean.” Leviticus 12:8 (ESV)

Mary the mother of Jesus, was obedient to this command and brought this version of the offering to be cleansed after Jesus was born, this shows that the family Jesus was born into was not wealthy.

The deep disease of sin

and the priest shall examine the diseased area on the skin of his body. And if the hair in the diseased area has turned white and the disease appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is a case of leprous disease. When the priest has examined him, he shall pronounce him unclean. Leviticus 13:3 (ESV)

Leprosy is a horrible disease and can be symbolic of sin which is a disease of the heart (deeper than the skin).

John 8:12–30

The light of the world

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 (ESV)

Jesus makes a bold and unique declaration to be the light of the world. This would have stirred up imagery in the ears of those listening (along with His earlier allusions using manna and living water), to the manifest presence and glory of God seen in the wilderness and tabernacle. This is Jesus’ second “I Am” statement, revealing Himself as the incarnate Word.

We MUST honour Jesus

They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” John 8:19 (ESV)

Religions that supposedly honour God but dishonour Jesus, prove themselves to be false.

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

Additional resources

Desiring God on John 8

Today’s reading: Lev 9:1–11:47, John 7:53–8:11, Song 6:6–10

Today’s theme: Live as God’s holy priests

We have been called to live as God’s own holy priests in the earth and so can learn lessons from the scriptures dealing with the Levitical priesthood. We, like them, need the blood of Jesus to cleanse us, the seal of approval by God the Holy Spirit dwelling inside us. We need to understand the clear distinction between that which is holy and unholy as God’s ambassadors and representatives in the earth.

Unlike the Roman Catholics we believe in the priesthood of all believers before God with Jesus as our High Priest.

Leviticus 9:1–11:47

Order and holiness

This is the law of the burnt offering, of the grain offering, of the sin offering, of the guilt offering, of the ordination offering, and of the peace offering, Leviticus 7:37 (ESV)

At the close of this section in Leviticus we get a summary of all 6 types of sacrifice described, all of which pointed forwards to Jesus. This whole section (chapter 1-7) serves to remind us that worship in the church and our lives must be done in order and holiness.

Ears, hands and feet

And he killed it, and Moses took some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron’s right ear and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot. Leviticus 8:23 (ESV)

We need the blood of Jesus on our ears so we always hear (listen) to the voice of God, hands to carry out (work) God’s commands and feet to walk (act, behave) in holiness.

God’s seal of approval

And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting, and when they came out they blessed the people, and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. Leviticus 9:23 (ESV)

God’s glory was revealed as a stamp of approval for the newly built tabernacle, sacrifice system and most of all Aaron as a mediator and his sons as priests.

This again prefigures Jesus who is our High Priest, who in entering His ministry after His sacrifice, revealed to us the glory of God’s indwelling presence on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was given.

Avoid strange fire

Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD has said: ‘Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.’ ” And Aaron held his peace. Leviticus 10:3 (ESV)

Ministry should not be undertaken or done lightly. God is holy and must be ministered to in holiness. Strange fire can represent anything we bring before The Lord which is itself not holy or just a cloak for our sinful attitude etc.

Live as God’s holy priests

You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean, and you are to teach the people of Israel all the statutes that the LORD has spoken to them by Moses.” Leviticus 10:10–11 (ESV)

As believers we too have been called to be priests. We are called to be holy, this means we need to clearly distinguish between that which is holy and that which is not. This discernment comes from God’s word and His Holy Spirit. We are also called to teach by our lifestyle and words. We are set apart to minister to God but also to be witnesses.

John 7:53–8:11

None like Jesus, The Lord

The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!” John 7:46 (ESV)

Even the temple soldiers had to recognise the unparalleled wisdom of Jesus. These were not like the Roman soldiers, they were actually chosen from the levities and so had religious training, which means the teaching of Jesus would have impacted them all the more.

Jesus is the Word incarnate, no one will ever compare to Him in wisdom or speech. Even today many recognise the wisdom of Jesus but do not submit to Him which is itself not wise.

As CS Lewis said, He could not just have been a good teacher, the things Jesus said meant He could have only been a liar, a lunatic or the LORD.

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

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on The Priesthood of Jesus

Got Questions on the Priesthood of all Believers

Today’s reading: Lev 7:1–8:36, John 7:45–52, Song 6:1–5

Today’s theme: Thirst quenched

We are reminded in today’s reading that sin affects not only God as the main person offended but our fellow man. God desires that we seek restoration and justice. All mankind is thirsty whether we perceive it or not. We will either seek to quench that thirst with the sins that hold the greatest sway over our lives and desires. Alternatively, we can turn to Jesus the only one who provides lasting satisfaction for our soul’s thirst.

Leviticus 7:1–8:36

Community restoration

or anything about which he has sworn falsely, he shall restore it in full and shall add a fifth to it, and give it to him to whom it belongs on the day he realizes his guilt. Leviticus 6:5 (ESV)

This section shows that God wants us to not only deal with sins with Him (vertically) but to also deal with sins in relation to those around us who we may have sinned against (horizontally).

John 7:45–52

Thirst quenched

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ” John 7:37–38 (ESV)

Jesus offers us living water for our great thirst for life. He is the only one who can satisfy our thirst with the living water of the Holy Spirit.

Ask yourself the question, am I thirsty?

We should not temporarily quench our thirst with sin, only Jesus eternally quenches our thirst by the Holy Spirit.

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

Additional resources

Desiring God on John 7