Saturday, February 11, 2017

Saturday, February 11th: Leviticus 11-12; Matthew 26:1-25 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Leviticus 11-12; Matthew 26:1-25

In our passage today we see an example of humanity suffering from the consequences of sin. Indeed, though it is true that we are sinful because we sin, it is also true that we sin because we are sinful. From the moment of birth we are sinful and unclean.

The time of uncleanliness for a woman who has given birth is likely in part to remind her of the curse all womankind received when Eve sinned. That's also likely why the time was longer for a female child. It is crucial to remember that we are unclean, and that the law provides no way to truly become clean. That can only come through Jesus!

This reminds us that we should expect to deal with both just and unjust consequences simply because we continue to live in a fallen world.

But it should also remind us that we need to go outside the camp, to the unclean, in order to bring them to the only One who can truly cleanse our sin.

In our NT passage it struck me that all of the disciples doubted their ability to remain faithful under trial. They all thought it horrifically possible that they could be Jesus' betrayor.  They recognized their uncleanness. They recognized their capacity for evil. They were humble enough to admit that it could be them that would fail Jesus so utterly. And, indeed, they would all desert Him soon enough. The key is to know Who to turn to - both in moments of doubt, and in the times we fall.

We must choose.

Will we run towards sin, and away from Jesus?

Or will we run away from sin, and towards Jesus?

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Leviticus 13; Matthew 26:26-50

1 comment:

Conrad said...

Every time I read the passage of Judas betraying Jesus, I am always surprised at the sequence of events along with the time in between the events. It was not a "caught up in the moment" betrayal, but one where he seeked out the chief priests to negotiate a price for Jesus, and then wait for the opportune time to hand Jesus over to them.

He would have had ample time to realize his actions and change his mind, but yet Judas was persuaded by thirty silver coins. We all have our weaknesses, and maybe money was his.

This reading was a great reminder for me that I need to be constantly running to God and away from my "thirty silver coins".