Today’s reading: Num 20:14–21:35, 1 Cor 3:1–4:21, Ps 18:31–50

Today’s theme: Maturity and perspective

Biblical Christianity is not like Gnosticism with its secret knowledge or like Free Masonry with it’s hidden mysteries and levels. Instead the truth of the Gospel message is plain to all. It’s recorded openly in the Bible and shared openly through public preaching. However, the way we receive the word is largely dependant on our own maturity and perspective.

The most apparently simple truth is sweet and wholesome food in the mouth of the believer who loves and appreciates both God and His truth for the treasure they both are.

Numbers 20:14–21:35

The priesthood of Jesus is better

And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son. And Aaron died there on the top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain. Numbers 20:28 (ESV)

The priesthood of Aaron prefigures the priesthood of Jesus Christ, although the priesthood of Jesus replaces and supersedes that of Aaron.

One of the key reasons that Jesus has a better priesthood is that He ever lives to make his promise good and intercede for the people. This is unlike the Levitical priesthood that was always limited by death as we see in Aaron’s death (which according to verse 24 was judicial). See Hebrews 7:23-27 for the New Testament reading on this.

Jesus received God’s wrath for us

And the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” Numbers 21:8 (ESV)

This also prefigures Christ and is explained best in the words of Jesus Himself from John 3:14-15 “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”

1 Corinthians 3:1–4:21

It’s all about maturity and perspective

But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, 1 Corinthians 3:1–2 (ESV)

Paul is calling the Corinthians to maturity in Christ. It is not that he taught them a simplified Gospel, because the Gospel is the deepest and most profound truth in the world. The allusions to infancy, milk and being fleshy is Paul pointing to the immaturity in the hearers of his Gospel message.

In them proclaiming themselves to be wise and seeking worldly wisdom, the truth of the Gospel was like milk to them when it is in fact solid food. This happens every week when sermons are preached at church. They are milk or solid food based on the way we hear them, not the message given. We do not need a change of diet but a change in perspective because the gospel is glorious!

Thank God for our pastors

For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 1 Corinthians 4:15 (ESV)

We need to clearly identify and thank God for our fathers in Christ, those who do not just teach but care for our souls. Our pastors!

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

Additional resources

Desiring God on 1 Corinthians 3 and 4

The Gospel Coalition on  1 Corinthians 3 and 4

Today’s reading: Num 19:1–20:13, 1 Cor 2:1–16, Ps 18:13–30

Today’s theme: Humility, the mind of Christ

Today we learn about the powerful blood of Jesus which cleanses us from sin. We see Jesus as our rock. The most important lesson is about building our lives on the power of God and having the mind of Christ which in summary is humility. We must walk in humility, obedience and have serving hearts.

Numbers 19:1–20:13

The cleansing blood of Jesus

And a man who is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer and deposit them outside the camp in a clean place. And they shall be kept for the water for impurity for the congregation of the people of Israel; it is a sin offering. Numbers 19:9 (ESV)

Jesus is the fulfilment of the Red Heifer. Hebrews 9:13-14 compares the blood of Jesus to the ashes of the heifer. In the same way we read about the ready access Israel had to purification from uncleanness using the water for impurity, so we have access to cleansing by the blood of Jesus. See 1 John 1:7.

The Rock, Jesus

Now there was no water for the congregation. And they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. And the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Would that we had perished when our brothers perished before the LORD! Why have you brought the assembly of the LORD into this wilderness, that we should die here, both we and our cattle? And why have you made us come up out of Egypt to bring us to this evil place? It is no place for grain … Numbers 20:2–13 (ESV)

The Rock represented Jesus (1 Cor 10:4). From Him the living waters come. Moses was meant to speak to the Rock, striking it was disobedient and disrespectful.

1 Corinthians 2:1–16

Faith built on the power of God

so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:5 (ESV)

It was common and popular in Corinth for the philosophers of the day to debate using the rhetorical skills espoused in philosophy. Paul makes a point that he did not use these methods in persuading the Corinthians concerning Christ crucified, instead he relied on the power of the Holy Spirit for their conversion. In this way their faith would be built on and reliant on God and not a man and his skill.

We should receive wisdom

Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. 1 Corinthians 2:6 (ESV)

Paul is not against sound teaching and makes the point that the spiritual and mature are to receive this. He does make the point later that it is spiritual wisdom that can only be understood by those whose eyes have been opened spiritually. We are called to grow so we should be teachable and eager to learn.

The mind of Christ, humility

“For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16 (ESV)

As believers we are filled with the Spirit of Christ and so know Christ in truth through the Spirit of Truth. Unlike the wisdom gained through human ways, this is granted by God’s grace through his Spirit.

Having the mind of Christ is a very functional thing and in this context is focused on the communal life of believers. We must walk in obedience, humility and serving each other just like Jesus our great example.

To have the mind of Christ operate in our lives we must put the selfish flesh to death and humble ourselves with the same attitude Jesus had in coming to save us. See Philippians 2:2-5.

Psalm 18:13–30

Walk in humility

For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down. Psalm 18:27 (ESV)

We are called to walk in humility.

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

Additional resources

Desiring God on 1 Corinthians 2

Today’s reading: Num 17:1–18:32, 1 Cor 1:1–31, Ps 18:1–12

Today’s theme: God’s choice

Our society exalts the choice of man but today’s reading shows us the pre-eminence, sufficiency and enduring power of Gods choices. This is for those He has called to be leaders by his grace and those He has chosen to save by His grace

Numbers 17:1–18:32

God’s choice

And the staff of the man whom I choose shall sprout. Thus I will make to cease from me the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against you.” Numbers 17:5 (ESV)

God’s point in the last three accounts (Korah’s rebellion, Aaron and the censer in the plague and now the rod that budded) are to emphasise His choice of Aaron as His High Priest. God does not change His choice because of man’s opinions. Jesus is now our better High Priest.

Appointed leaders

And the LORD said to Moses, “Put back the staff of Aaron before the testimony, to be kept as a sign for the rebels, that you may make an end of their grumblings against me, lest they die.” Numbers 17:10 (ESV)

In the same way God chose Aaron, which points to Jesus the ultimate High Priest, so God has chosen Elders (including Pastors) to have special authority in the church (Titus 1:9; 1 Pet. 5:5). With that authority comes the serious responsibility to live as examples to the people and serve them in the ministry (Acts 20:28; Titus 1:5–2:10; 1 Pet. 5:1–3).

God, our reward

And the LORD said to Aaron, “You shall have no inheritance in their land, neither shall you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel. Numbers 18:20 (ESV)

Like the Levites, God is our reward, our treasure and our inheritance in Jesus.

Provide for ministers

And you may eat it in any place, you and your households, for it is your reward in return for your service in the tent of meeting. Numbers 18:31 (ESV)

The New Testament tells us that those who work should be provided for (Matt 10:9–10), in particular those who preach the gospel (1 Cor 9:2–18).

1 Corinthians 1:1–31

Called by God

Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes, 1 Corinthians 1:1 (ESV)

Paul like Aaron was chosen and called by God.

God will keep us

who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:8 (ESV)

We can have confidence that God will preserve and keep us until the final day.

Guard against fractions

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 1 Corinthians 1:10 (ESV)

God calls us to unity over the core, essential truth of the Gospel and to live in harmony with our fellow believers. The problem in Corinth was that the division came over preferred leaders which caused fractions in the church. This leads to all sorts of bad attitudes like jealousy, envy and pride. We need to guard against this today.

The wisdom of God

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 1 Corinthians 1:21 (ESV)

Contemporary wisdom is man centred and anti God. Any god discovered by human wisdom would be man projecting his own thoughts into an idol and would give man a sense of pride in discovering God. This is why we cannot win people by the wisdom of the age. We need the drawing power of the Holy Spirit and the dynamic power of the Gospel message.

God saves us

so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 1 Corinthians 1:29 (ESV)

We have nothing to boast about because we are saved, God is the one who chose, called and saved us. Not because we were wise or good but because He is gracious. To God alone be all the glory.

Psalm 18:1–12

Yahweh the Great Warrior King

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2 (ESV)

David declares as a truth and from his own experience that Yahweh is the Great Warrior King. He is able to protect and preserve His people. Jesus is all of this for us.

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

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on  1 Corinthians 1

Today’s reading: Num 16:1–50, John 21:1–25, Ps 17:1–15

Today’s theme: Stand in the gap

Today we learn about the need and efficacy of intercessory prayer. As we heed the call to prayer we must remember to turn aside to eat and fellowship with the incomprehensible Jesus.

Numbers 16:1–50

The sin of sedition

Therefore it is against the LORD that you and all your company have gathered together. What is Aaron that you grumble against him?” Numbers 16:11 (ESV)

Rebellion will often try to disguise itself in some altruistic form, claiming the good or rights of the people. In fact it is self centered, perceived gain that is at it’s heart.

In this case Korah and his company claimed that all God’s people are holy and so any can serve in the priesthood. We see this sort of rebellion against church leadership today and although we do believe in the priesthood of all believers we must not give way to anarchy and sedition. The church has a structure and positions which must be respected, each member serving and doing it’s part.

This seditious rebellion is mentioned again in Jude 11. Sedition towards God’s appointed leaders is rebellion against God Himself.

Intercessory prayer

And they fell on their faces and said, “O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and will you be angry with all the congregation?” Numbers 16:22 (ESV)

Israel is again saved by the intercession of Moses. He first acknowledges God as Sovereign Creator with the rights of life and death over all His creatures. He then appeals to God’s mercy and grace.

Separation and sanctification

And he spoke to the congregation, saying, “Depart, please, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest you be swept away with all their sins.” Numbers 16:26 (ESV)

Moses warns the people to separate themselves from these rebellious and wicked men or suffer the contamination and destruction the men have brought on themselves.

This theme of separation and sanctification is picked up many times in the New Testament. We are told as God’s people to have nothing to do with those causing division and walking in rebellion.

See 1 Corinthians 5:6-8, Galatians 5:9, 2 Timothy 3:5, Titus 3:10 and also 2 Corinthians 6:17.

Stand in the gap

And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped. Numbers 16:48 (ESV)

Jesus is our high priest and like Aaron He stays the plague of death by his intercession for us, He stands between the dead and the living. This also points to the importance of intercessory prayer. We can stop something in its tracks and stand in the gap.

John 21:1–25

Come and eat with Jesus

Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. John 21:12 (ESV)

Jesus remained in the place of service to His disciples even after his resurrection. Jesus wants us to come and eat with Him, He has prepared breakfast we should come and eat. Notice Jesus’ public ministry in John begins at a feast and ends at one.

The incomprehensible Jesus

Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. John 21:25 (ESV)

DA Carson comments well on this verse saying… “The Jesus to whom he bears witness is not only the obedient Son and the risen Lord, He is the incarnate Word, the one through whom the universe was created. If all His deeds were described, the world would be a very small and inadequate library indeed. Carson, D. A. (1991). The Gospel according to John (p. 686).

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 21

Today’s reading: Num 15:1–41, John 20:1–31, Ps 16:1–11

Today’s theme: The breath of life

There are lots of good lessons today, including the nature of the bodily resurrection – Jesus, the glory of the resurrection body as well as the breath of life, who is God the Holy Spirit, the one who makes us alive from the dead and anew in Christ.

Numbers 15:1–41

God’s heart for all people

For the assembly, there shall be one statute for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you, a statute forever throughout your generations. You and the sojourner shall be alike before the LORD. Numbers 15:15 (ESV)

God shows His intent and heart towards all people, and this points toward God’s universal standard, solution and the one new man spoken of in Eph 2:15.

Do not neglect salvation

And the LORD said to Moses, “The man shall be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.” Numbers 15:35 (ESV)

God takes sin seriously. Hebrews 10:28-29 states that if those who intentionally broke the law of Moses were put to death, how can we escape if we reject the Son of God?

Pull on God’s word

And it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the LORD, to do them, not to follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after. Numbers 15:39 (ESV)

This is what the woman with the issue of blood (Matt 9:20) knew when she reached out and touched the hem of Jesus’ garment. We should reach out and pull on God’s commandments rather than following our own hearts in the flesh.

John 20:1–31

Why we gather to worship on Sunday

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. John 20:1 (ESV)

Jesus rose on the first day of the week which is a Sunday. This is why since the earliest church in the book of Acts, through to today, we worship not on the Sabbath day but on Sunday, in honour and celebration of the resurrection of Jesus.

The resurrection body of Jesus

Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. John 20:14 (ESV)

Others in the Gospel accounts also have trouble recognising Jesus, which shows this is not an isolated event due to her grief, or tears clouding her eyes.

Instead these accounts of non recognition give weight to the fact of the supernatural Resurrection of Jesus, rather than His body being temporarily revived, as proposed in the swoon theory.

In the OT Moses was not recognisable after being in the glory of God, angels would also mask themselves as men. Paul also instructs us concerning the difference in the Resurrection body, in Cor 15:35-50.

The breath of life

And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. John 20:22 (ESV)

Jesus breathing on the disciples to receive the Holy Spirit, reminds us of God breathing into Adam to make him alive.

Jesus’ very breathing is a miracle as He was actually dead. Breath is a sign of life and Jesus by breathing out, points to the fact that He is alive by the Holy Spirit and calls us to live and serve by the Spirit.

Without the Holy Spirit we are still dead in sin, we are a new creation in Christ only by the life and power of the Holy Spirit who is God.

Psalm 16:1–11

Scripture fulfilled

For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. Psalm 16:10 (ESV)

We see the fulfilment of this in today’s reading with the Resurrection of Jesus.

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 20