Author: Dave Dishman (Page 367 of 459)

As I read Leviticus, I’m struck by the detail given to sacrifices. Payments for sin, in particular. As prescribed to Moses by the Lord, these required a blood sacrifice.

And blood was paid, over and over and over again. Until Jesus, the ultimate sacrifice, shed his blood for you and me and all the world, closing down the sacrificial enterprise established years before.

Blood sacrifices started with Moses and ended – forever – with Jesus. Amen.

Leviticus 4 in week seven of reading the Bible cover to cover

Jesus creates. Jesus sustains. Jesus holds all things together.

Jesus binds the atom and Jesus maintains the universe. Thanks to Jesus, our bodies don’t float off into space.

More than a carpenter, more than a teacher, more than a powerful example of love, more than the originator of the Christian faith – Jesus is so much more than my small mind grasps.

I overlook this Jesus, who this very day sustains all things by his powerful word, as I hurry through my religious life. But today, thanks to the unknown author of Hebrews, I remember.

Hebrews 1:3 in week seven of reading the Bible cover to cover

Paul, pushing aside a heavy bag of coins, writes that he is amply supplied, after receiving abundant gifts from the church. Moses, evaluating mounds of precious materials, tells his people to hold off, because they brought more than enough to finish the construction of the tabernacle.

Delightful that these two passages (Philippians 4 & Exodus 36) appeared together in our reading plan. True examples of sacrificial giving, thousands of years apart, written for me and you to consider today.

In both cases ordinary folks pitched in and met the need before them. The nation of Israel, likely over a million people at this time, gave wholeheartedly, the debacle of a golden calf fresh on their minds. In Philippi, a few dozen new Jesus followers provided an example for the ages.

We can do a lot when we come together.

Week seven of reading the Bible cover to cover