Yearly Reading: Leviticus 24-27
One who blasphemes the name of the Lord shall be put to death; the whole congregation shall stone the blasphemer. Aliens as well as citizens, when they blaspheme the Name shall be put to death. Leviticus 24:16 NRSV
Jewish law from Leviticus is clear that stoning was the way to put a blasphemer to death, whether an Israelite or a foreigner. Everyone would therefore participate in the death blows - Leviticus says "the whole congregation." No one would be the executioner. This would be death by committee. This story is also the one place in Leviticus that the law is laid down as it happens - the issue of blaspheming was not raised by God but by the situation of a man who actually curses God's name.
I have always been curious about the fact that Jesus was hung on a cross rather than stoned to death. Although it was the religious leadership that was against him on religious grounds - including blasphemy- they were able to make him sound like he had a terrorist agenda so that the Roman government hung Jesus on a cross. Obviously God had a plan. I think if Jesus had been stoned to death, his demise would have been either kept secret or caused a Jewish riot. Also, in bringing the Romans into the execution, God was able to bring the Gentiles into the Way.
God, we know you had a plan with Jesus' death - and resurrection- just as you have a plan for our lives. Thank you for Jesus and his giving up of life for our lives. In His name we pray. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
Showing posts with label Leviticus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Leviticus. Show all posts
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Without Blemish
Yearly Reading: Leviticus 21-23
You shall not offer anything that has a blemish, for it will not be acceptable in your behalf. Leviticus 22:20 NRSV
Let's talk a moment about parsonage and youth group furniture. As I happen to be familiar with both, I would like to say a few words. Don't give your cast-off furniture to your church's youth group nor to your pastor's home. I can't tell you how many churches I have been a part of where the sofas are nasty sagging monstrosities - in the youth room as well as the parsonage. But somehow, well-meaning folks in the church think giving what they don't want anymore to their church is a good thing.
Certainly finding a home other than the dump is a great act of stewardship. However, we must be careful that we aren't giving just cast-offs to God through the church.
Leviticus is clear when it comes to bringing an offering of an animal to the altar. It must be one without blemish. And too often our cast-offs have many blemishes - why else would we not want them in our own homes? If you don't want them in your home, why give them to God's? God wants your best - from your prayer life to your gifts.
God, while we are trying to be good stewards, remind us that you always want us to give you our best. Help us to remember that the church is one of the best places to give our best to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
You shall not offer anything that has a blemish, for it will not be acceptable in your behalf. Leviticus 22:20 NRSV
Let's talk a moment about parsonage and youth group furniture. As I happen to be familiar with both, I would like to say a few words. Don't give your cast-off furniture to your church's youth group nor to your pastor's home. I can't tell you how many churches I have been a part of where the sofas are nasty sagging monstrosities - in the youth room as well as the parsonage. But somehow, well-meaning folks in the church think giving what they don't want anymore to their church is a good thing.
Certainly finding a home other than the dump is a great act of stewardship. However, we must be careful that we aren't giving just cast-offs to God through the church.
Leviticus is clear when it comes to bringing an offering of an animal to the altar. It must be one without blemish. And too often our cast-offs have many blemishes - why else would we not want them in our own homes? If you don't want them in your home, why give them to God's? God wants your best - from your prayer life to your gifts.
God, while we are trying to be good stewards, remind us that you always want us to give you our best. Help us to remember that the church is one of the best places to give our best to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
Thursday, January 28, 2010
No Tattoos?
Yearly Reading: Leviticus 17-20
You shall not make any gashes in your flesh for the dead or tatoo any marks upon you: I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:28 NRSV
Okay, I confess: I do not have any tattoos. I don't plan on having any, either. But that is simply a personal preference. I am not trying to follow the Bible in refraining from getting a tattoo.
However, on any trip to a beach or a pool, I find myself in the minority. Everyone from age 90 on down has at least one. Some folks even have more than one.
So why don't we get upset and refer to this scripture when we Christians see someone who has a tattoo? Why is this even in the Bible?
It has to do with common religious practices in non-Israelite society, specifically about mourning the dead. Leviticus is very clear about what is in and what is out in terms of the Israelites. The laws and rules are to keep God's people separate and holy. Because tattoos were used by other religions that did not worship God, specifically in honor of the dead, tattoos were taboo. Having a tattoo marked you as someone who did not believe in God.
Today, believers and nonbelievers have tattoos. How can we know if a person is not a believer in Christ just by looking at them? Is there anything we should avoid doing to our bodies if we follow Christ Jesus?
God, you ask us to be set apart from nonbelievers. We pray that this includes our outward appearance but we know you are truly interested in what is in our hearts. May our hearts be completely yours. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
You shall not make any gashes in your flesh for the dead or tatoo any marks upon you: I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:28 NRSV
Okay, I confess: I do not have any tattoos. I don't plan on having any, either. But that is simply a personal preference. I am not trying to follow the Bible in refraining from getting a tattoo.
However, on any trip to a beach or a pool, I find myself in the minority. Everyone from age 90 on down has at least one. Some folks even have more than one.
So why don't we get upset and refer to this scripture when we Christians see someone who has a tattoo? Why is this even in the Bible?
It has to do with common religious practices in non-Israelite society, specifically about mourning the dead. Leviticus is very clear about what is in and what is out in terms of the Israelites. The laws and rules are to keep God's people separate and holy. Because tattoos were used by other religions that did not worship God, specifically in honor of the dead, tattoos were taboo. Having a tattoo marked you as someone who did not believe in God.
Today, believers and nonbelievers have tattoos. How can we know if a person is not a believer in Christ just by looking at them? Is there anything we should avoid doing to our bodies if we follow Christ Jesus?
God, you ask us to be set apart from nonbelievers. We pray that this includes our outward appearance but we know you are truly interested in what is in our hearts. May our hearts be completely yours. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Thank You, Jesus!
Yearly Reading: Leviticus 14-16
The Lord said to Moses: Tell your brother Aaron not to come just at any time into the sanctuary inside the curtain before the mercy seat that is upon the ark, or he will die; for I appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat. Leviticus 16: 2 NRSV
What strikes me in this reading is the unavailability of God. I am so used to going to God all through the day with my prayers and questions. I take for granted that I can enter the sanctuary at any time however I may be dressed or even clean. There is nothing that prevents me from receiving God's mercy and grace.
All of this is thanks to Jesus Christ.
It isn't just the slaughtering of animals that Christ removed by dying on the cross. Christ also removed the barrier of the individual to communicating directly with God. There is no need for a priest, a sacrifice, special garments or a ritual cleansing. God is present to us in the everyday and can be approached by us just as we are.
Have you ever thought of how accessible God is to you? Have you really taken the advantage of being with God just as you are? Take some time this day to think about how approachable God is to you thanks to Christ Jesus.
God, thank you for the gift of approachability that Jesus gave to us in our relationship with You. Help us to be ever close to You. In Jesus' precious name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
The Lord said to Moses: Tell your brother Aaron not to come just at any time into the sanctuary inside the curtain before the mercy seat that is upon the ark, or he will die; for I appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat. Leviticus 16: 2 NRSV
What strikes me in this reading is the unavailability of God. I am so used to going to God all through the day with my prayers and questions. I take for granted that I can enter the sanctuary at any time however I may be dressed or even clean. There is nothing that prevents me from receiving God's mercy and grace.
All of this is thanks to Jesus Christ.
It isn't just the slaughtering of animals that Christ removed by dying on the cross. Christ also removed the barrier of the individual to communicating directly with God. There is no need for a priest, a sacrifice, special garments or a ritual cleansing. God is present to us in the everyday and can be approached by us just as we are.
Have you ever thought of how accessible God is to you? Have you really taken the advantage of being with God just as you are? Take some time this day to think about how approachable God is to you thanks to Christ Jesus.
God, thank you for the gift of approachability that Jesus gave to us in our relationship with You. Help us to be ever close to You. In Jesus' precious name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Holy Like God
Yearly Reading: Leviticus 11-13
For I am the Lord your God; sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming creature that moves on the earth. Leviticus 11:45 NRSV
Many Methodists are familiar with the words of their founder, John Wesley, who said that all of us Christians were called to "go on to perfection." Or, in Jesus' words, "be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5: 48).
In Leviticus, God gives a very clear reason for God's people to be perfect or holy. God wants them to be like set apart like God. "Be holy like me!" God instructs.
And the Jewish people took this to heart by following the rules God had given them to the letter. But in all this rule-following, they seemed to lose the intent of the laws: to be like God. Instead, the rules became their gods. It was not about being God-like but about checking off a to-do list.
We should be very careful here that we don't become righteous (after all, with Jesus, we stopped being like that, right?). However, we have come up with our own set of rules in chasing after the holy. We need to always set before us the example of Jesus: breaking Sabbath laws, speaking to the unspeakable, touching the untouchable with compassion, eating with sinners and allowing himself to be hung on a tree (an obvious curse to any good Jew). Who among us can claim to be more holy than him?
God, help us not to just keep a set of rules but to truly be holy like you. In the name of Jesus who set the holiest example we pray. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
For I am the Lord your God; sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming creature that moves on the earth. Leviticus 11:45 NRSV
Many Methodists are familiar with the words of their founder, John Wesley, who said that all of us Christians were called to "go on to perfection." Or, in Jesus' words, "be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5: 48).
In Leviticus, God gives a very clear reason for God's people to be perfect or holy. God wants them to be like set apart like God. "Be holy like me!" God instructs.
And the Jewish people took this to heart by following the rules God had given them to the letter. But in all this rule-following, they seemed to lose the intent of the laws: to be like God. Instead, the rules became their gods. It was not about being God-like but about checking off a to-do list.
We should be very careful here that we don't become righteous (after all, with Jesus, we stopped being like that, right?). However, we have come up with our own set of rules in chasing after the holy. We need to always set before us the example of Jesus: breaking Sabbath laws, speaking to the unspeakable, touching the untouchable with compassion, eating with sinners and allowing himself to be hung on a tree (an obvious curse to any good Jew). Who among us can claim to be more holy than him?
God, help us not to just keep a set of rules but to truly be holy like you. In the name of Jesus who set the holiest example we pray. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
Monday, January 25, 2010
The Holy and the Common
Yearly Reading: Leviticus 8-10
"You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean...." Leviticus 10:10 NRSV
God is the God of order, not chaos. When God created the world, God separated the light and the dark, the night and the day, the earth and the water. God sets apart one thing from the other. That is God's way.
For the Israelites as well as Jews today, there are certain foods and bodily functions that are considered clean and unclean. With Jesus and the new Christians, many of those categories either were taken away or changed somewhat. In today's Western-dominated society, even those lines are blurred.
Yet, God is still the God of order. God still wants the holy separated from the common. God still calls the ordinary to be extraordinary. We must remember that God calls us to be holy or set apart. God wants us to be more than common.
This may be difficult for some of us to grasp. What does it mean to be holy in today's world? How can we be living in the world yet somehow different? What marks you as holy rather than common?
God, you call us to be holy rather than common. What does that mean for us in our daily lives, God? How can we be your holy people? Give us discernment and guidance in being your people each day! In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
"You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean...." Leviticus 10:10 NRSV
God is the God of order, not chaos. When God created the world, God separated the light and the dark, the night and the day, the earth and the water. God sets apart one thing from the other. That is God's way.
For the Israelites as well as Jews today, there are certain foods and bodily functions that are considered clean and unclean. With Jesus and the new Christians, many of those categories either were taken away or changed somewhat. In today's Western-dominated society, even those lines are blurred.
Yet, God is still the God of order. God still wants the holy separated from the common. God still calls the ordinary to be extraordinary. We must remember that God calls us to be holy or set apart. God wants us to be more than common.
This may be difficult for some of us to grasp. What does it mean to be holy in today's world? How can we be living in the world yet somehow different? What marks you as holy rather than common?
God, you call us to be holy rather than common. What does that mean for us in our daily lives, God? How can we be your holy people? Give us discernment and guidance in being your people each day! In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Guilty of Sin
Yearly Reading: Leviticus 4-7
Thus the priest shall make atonement on your behalf for the sin that you have committed, and you shall be forgiven. Leviticus 4: 31b NRSV
What sins have you unintentionally committed in the last two or three days? Have you admitted these to God? Why or why not? Is there something preventing you from asking for forgiveness from God?
Let us spend sometime today asking for God's forgiveness with this prayer of confession:
God of mercy and forgiveness, I come to you with my whole heart. Where I have unknowingly sinned against you, reveal this to me so that I can ask for your pardon. Help me to give voice to places in my life where I know without a doubt I have sinned but have lacked the courage to admit this to you. Please place your conviction on my life so that I can see where I have let you down. Forgive me for all of these sins, not with the covering of blood on the altar but with the holy blood of Jesus. Wash me clean of all my iniquities; make me white as snow and right with you. Let the barriers of sin that separate us fall so that I can bask in your glory and mercy. I know you love me and that you forgive me for all those sins that I place before you. Thank you for your grace. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
Thus the priest shall make atonement on your behalf for the sin that you have committed, and you shall be forgiven. Leviticus 4: 31b NRSV
What sins have you unintentionally committed in the last two or three days? Have you admitted these to God? Why or why not? Is there something preventing you from asking for forgiveness from God?
Let us spend sometime today asking for God's forgiveness with this prayer of confession:
God of mercy and forgiveness, I come to you with my whole heart. Where I have unknowingly sinned against you, reveal this to me so that I can ask for your pardon. Help me to give voice to places in my life where I know without a doubt I have sinned but have lacked the courage to admit this to you. Please place your conviction on my life so that I can see where I have let you down. Forgive me for all of these sins, not with the covering of blood on the altar but with the holy blood of Jesus. Wash me clean of all my iniquities; make me white as snow and right with you. Let the barriers of sin that separate us fall so that I can bask in your glory and mercy. I know you love me and that you forgive me for all those sins that I place before you. Thank you for your grace. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Priest as Butcher
Yearly Reading: Exodus 40- Leviticus 3
He shall tear it open by its wings without severing it. Then the priest shall turn it into smoke on the altar, on the wood that is on the fire; it is a burnt offering, an offering by fire of pleasing odor to the Lord. Leviticus 1:17 NRSV
Today's reading is pretty grisly.
I am struck anew by how much the Levitical priest had to be a butcher. No wonder those that had the stomachs to kill their relatives were chosen for the priesthood: this is not a calling for the faint of heart.
Blood, guts, knives and - in this passage - pure strength were necessary to offer pleasing and right sacrifices and odors to God. Specific animal parts were offered. Some had to be washed, some had to be burned and others were sent to the trash heap. Blood was carefully used as a means of atonement and cleansing.
Today's Christian priest or pastor knows nothing about slaughtering. Today's Christian is not bound to bring and animal for sacrifice to the altar. Thanks be to God that Jesus gave up his own body and his blood so that we can be made right with God without the animal sacrifices!
Thank you, Jesus, for your sacrifice that has replaced the need for butchering on an altar. May we live as your people redeemed by your blood! Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
He shall tear it open by its wings without severing it. Then the priest shall turn it into smoke on the altar, on the wood that is on the fire; it is a burnt offering, an offering by fire of pleasing odor to the Lord. Leviticus 1:17 NRSV
Today's reading is pretty grisly.
I am struck anew by how much the Levitical priest had to be a butcher. No wonder those that had the stomachs to kill their relatives were chosen for the priesthood: this is not a calling for the faint of heart.
Blood, guts, knives and - in this passage - pure strength were necessary to offer pleasing and right sacrifices and odors to God. Specific animal parts were offered. Some had to be washed, some had to be burned and others were sent to the trash heap. Blood was carefully used as a means of atonement and cleansing.
Today's Christian priest or pastor knows nothing about slaughtering. Today's Christian is not bound to bring and animal for sacrifice to the altar. Thanks be to God that Jesus gave up his own body and his blood so that we can be made right with God without the animal sacrifices!
Thank you, Jesus, for your sacrifice that has replaced the need for butchering on an altar. May we live as your people redeemed by your blood! Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
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