Day 87..."Passing of the Torch...Springs in the Step...Jesus before Crucifixion"

Another census is taken of Israel. 600,000 men and gestimates would mean 3,000,000 plus for women and children. Moses commissioned Joshua to succeed him. It is sad that Moses did not finish the exodus. He was a great leader in every sense as he prepared Joshua, one with great vision, to succeed him.

I cannot resist the greatest pun of the reading. Who is the only person in the Old Testament without a father? Joshua...he is the son of Nun. Sorry!

The 87th Psalm is short but notice the last line..."Singers and dancers alike say,“All my springs are in you.” The spring in our steps comes from the Lord. Have you a spring in your steps today?

Jesus is journeying to the cross. He is mocked as "King of the Jews." Little do they know...HE REALLY IS!

Day 86..."Worship of Baal...God's Patience in Anger...Jesus' Ministry is so Brief"

The worship of Baal angers the Lord. The first and second commandments are not to be compromised. Notice how Moses states the demise of Israel..."While Israel lived in Shittim, the people began to whore with the daughters of Moab. These invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel." Bowing down to other gods has zero tolerance. We will read more about the worship of Baal with a dramatic story of Elijah. Numbers talks of God's anger the Psalmist says God is slow to anger..."But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Jesus anger is evident in the temple in "holy anger" but not during the trying events of arrest and trial. I was moved by reading the Gospel of Mark, as to how fast we moved to the closing events of Jesus' journey to the cross. Yet...our Lord's earthly ministry was only three years.

Day 85..."Talking Donkey...A Man with a Waterjar"

Wonder where that story is in the Bible of the talking donkey? It's in our reading today in Numbers. What a story! Are there any other talking animals in the Bible? Another inspiring Psalm today about God..."For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you." Judas shows false concern for the poor and his betrayal is foretold. Peter's denial is also forecast. Jesus asks for a man with a "waterjar" and this will reveal the location of the upper room. The Lord's Supper is instituted.

Congratulations we are 25 percent through the Bible!

Day 84..."Time Changes...Is Reading The Bible Changing You?"

Today's readings has several interesting stories including God's ample provision of water out of a rock..."And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly." Aaron's death is dramatic and snakes become a warning (and a literal way of death) much like the serpent in the garden. Moses is given strength to prevail over his foes and
Israel also broke out in song. Psalm 84 is one of my favorites and contains one of my most inspiring passages..."For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness." Our New Testament reading is the shortest yet..."no one knows the day or hour...not even the Son of Man."

As the time changes today...how is the reading of the Bible changing you?

Day 83..."Duties of Priests, Purification, End of Times"

Numbers sounds like Leviticus today with the duties of the priests and laws of purification. Obviously, there was great concern of death and being in the presence of a dying person. Even the priests were included in being excluded when considered unclean. This teaching is quite a contrast from Jesus touching and healing dead persons. Also, consider the "Good Samaritan" was even more dramatic realizing the Samaritan was aiding a Jew who could have been dead on the side of the road. Some scholars think this is why the Priest and Levite kept moving down the road. The Psalmist speaks of enemies with crafty plans. God will have the final word..."that they may know that you alone,whose name is the Lord,are the Most High over all the earth." Mark teaches about the end of times. There a variety of images that tell of the uncertainty and instabilty of that time. We do know there is certainty and stability in God all the time...His word endures forever.

Day 82..."Moses and Jesus silence Critics"

In another showdown, Moses demonstrates his faithfulness to God's call. Critics surfaced to challenge the authority of Moses. These people sure could grumble back then. Thank goodness we do not grumble today! (ha, ha) The stories of the earth swallowing up 250 men and a plague killing 14,700 are dramas that awaken the pages of Numbers. The showdown story remind me of Elijah challenging the worshippers of Baal. Do you get the feeling Moses had God's protection? The strong actions of Moses prevailing silences the critics...at least for now. The Psalmist remembers the marginlized...“How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy;deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” Jesus is also challenged by critics. The Saducees challenged Him about Heaven. (ironically they did not even believe in Heaven) How about that far fetched story of marriages and deaths!
The answer silences the critics..."God is the God of the living and not the dead." Jesus goes on to teach about the greatest commandment and silences more critics. The widow's mite is in our text today. Her gift was mighty for she gave all, trusted God, and overcame her fear.

Day 81..."Caleb and Joshua, Parable of Tenants"

The people of Israel have placed God to test ten times. God commends Caleb who has a different spirit. He along with Joshua shall see Canaan. The ten who brought back the bad report died by a plague. What a dramatic story of vision! In a shocking story, a violator of the Sabbath is stoned to death. Jesus will expand our thinking about Sabbath keeping and breaking. The Psalmist again sounds like Moses in among Exodus, Leviticus or Numbers..."there shall be no strange god among you; you shall not bow down to a foreign god." Jesus tells the parable of the tenants...even the son is killed. This parable foretells us of Jesus' rejection by the Jews and death on the cross.

Day 80..."Authority of Jesus and Moses Questioned...A Prayer of Restoration."

God speaks directly to Moses. Aaron and Miriam hear this in convincing way. Miriam was to be an outcast for seven days for speaking disrespectfully about Moses. This is a wonderful story of the faithfulness of God to watch over His leaders. Another leadership story is about Caleb bringing back a positive report from Canaan. The report was negative saying the people in Canaan made them feel like grasshoppers. Caleb concluded with God's help they could overcome the obstacles. The Psalmist has a prayer for restoration..."Restore us, O Lord God of hosts!let your face shine, that we may be saved!" Jesus authority is questioned. We see when events turn hostile later...the authority of Jesus is stronger than His critics. Moses and Jesus both have their authority questioned today.

Day 79..."Trumpets, Hunger, Thanks, Entrance into Jerusalem"

"And when both are blown (trumpets), all the congregation shall gather themselves to you at the entrance of the tent of meeting." I really like this opening! When the trumpet blows it is time to gather.
Think we could do this at Cokesbury? The grumbling about food sounds like people today. You would think manna from Heaven would be enough. God says something that equates to "loaves and fishes" in the feeding of the 5000..."But Moses said, “The people among whom I am number six hundred thousand on foot, and you have said, ‘I will give them meat, that they may eat a whole month!’ Shall flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, and be enough for them? Or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, and be enough for them?” And the Lord said to Moses, “Is the Lord's hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.” Moses sounds like the disciples. Before we are astonished are we shortsighted in seeing God's abundant provision. But we your people, the sheep of your pasture,will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise" Jesus enters Jerusalem in Mark's version of what we know as Palm Sunday. The temple brings Jesus' anger. Holy anger is different from losing our cool. Jesus was outraged at the corruption of the temple...a place of worship.

Day 78..."Passover and the Cloud, Recalling History, The Greatest"

In Numbers, we read about the institution of Passover for the fourteenth day of the first month. Bitter herbs and unleavened bread are to accompany the observance. Notice also how the cloud dictates the length of stay for the tabnernacle. When the cloud hovers, the people stay. If the cloud lift the people go..."Whether it was two days, or a month, or a longer time, that the cloud continued over the tabernacle, abiding there, the people of Israel remained in camp and did not set out, but when it lifted they set out. At the command of the Lord they camped, and at the command of the Lord they set out. They kept the charge of the Lord, at the command of the Lord by Moses." The Psalmist recounts the history of Israel. In a summary like a comprehensive exam or "cliff notes" we see a retelling of the movement of Israel through history. This is one way to make it through the tough time to recall victories! Notice the reference to the "cloud" connecting with our Numbers reading..."In the daytime he led them with a cloud,and all the night with a fiery light." Jesus tells of His death but the disciples do not comprehend. James and John argue to sit at the right and left of Jesus. Jesus agains tells greatest comes through being a servant. Jesus, against the wishes of the crowd reaches out and heals blind Bartimaeus.

Day 77..."Twelve Days of Offerings...What God has Joined Together!"

As the tabernacle is consecrated, there are twelve days of offerings. This chapter leads to suspense, as to what is coming next. What am I speaking about? Moses hears a voice from above the mercy seat. We will read tomorrow. We see a great connection with Psalm 77 and Numbers..."You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. God is also seen as one of wonder and wonders. Mark writes Jesus' teaching about marriage a saying in modern day ceremonies..."what God has joined together let no one put asunder." Again... we see teaching about the sacredness of marriage. The blessedness of children and being childlike is also a highlight of today's Mark reading. An account of the Rich Young Ruler also appears today. The blog from DAY 39 gives a little more insight into today's text.

Day 76..."A Beautiful Prayer...God is to be Respected...Good to Great"

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." This blessing is actually Aaron's.

Ok, who could have quessed where this beautiful prayer came from? The Book of Numbers is right. In the midst of complicated requirements for remaining clean and holy emerges this beautiful prayer! The Psalmist says..."fear the Lord." In my understanding this is equal to RESPECT. We fear the Lord, when we are disobedient. If we seek Him and His Will there is no need to fear. In the New Testament, we will read..."There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love"(I John 4:18). This is an ongoing theme in our faith journey...do we we need to fear God or grow fearless in love? Jesus says the greatest will be a servant and honor children. If we bring harm to children, we would be better off with a millstone around our neck. In a shock teaching, Jesus says it would be better to lose part of our bodies in this world than to lose our entire souls. This extreme teaching (for effect) is also present in the Sermon on the Mount.

Day 75..."Census Building, Unshakable God, Help My Unbelief"

The Book of Numbers continues to emphasize a headcount of people. A census is instructed of all males from birth upward in chapter three. In chapter four (Levites), the instructions are males 30 years to 50 years. There is a reference to the unauthorized fire of Nadab and Abihu, in Leviticus, and the lack of descendents. In the wake of an earthquake in Hawaii, the Psalmist speaks of the unshakable God..."When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants,it is I who keep steady its pillars." Mark describes the "Transfiguration" as Moses and Elijah appear and Jesus is transformed in appearance. Jesus heals a son who has foamed from the mouth and battled convulsions since being young. The father said something profound when asked if he thought Jesus could heal his son..."I believe help my unbelief." A wonderful statement for all of us.
Jesus follows healing the son by lifting up the power of prayer.

Day 74..."Numbers Begins with NUMBERS...Jesus Teaches"

How fitting that the Book of Numbers begins with you guessed it...NUMBERS. Numbers of the twelve tribes of Israel. Moses is careful to point out this does not include the Levites. Notice how each tribe would be comparable to small cities or college football stadium capacities. In the Psalm, Leviathan appears in the writing. Leviathan is a large sea creature and a metaphor for evil in the Book of Job. Jesus warns to beware of the teaching or "the leaven" of the Pharisees. Peter proclaims Jesus as "The Christ." Jesus teaches the price of this declaration. Those who follow must be willing to bear the cross. We have been focusing on the theme..."it is not about me" and we see this strongly in the teaching..."For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?" Ironically, when we relinquish control of our life to Jesus we discover a new freedom for life as God intended!

Day 73..."Laws About Vows...God is our Strength...Seeking a Sign"

We are almost done with reading Leviticus. The emphasis today is laws about vows. Notice how different people are subject to varying valuation. We would argue about the worth of all these presented in the text. Paul would later say there is "neither Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female...we are one in Jesus" (Galatians 3:28). Leviticus is a difficult Book to sort out, when we read such statements. We do know the culture influences what is written in the Bible. This would be my explanation, as to why people are valued differently because of age or gender. The Psalmist says again the Lord is our strength..."My flesh and my heart may fail,but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Jesus feeds 4000 people in Mark and says people need signs. The Pharisees wanted a sign but ignored the very miracles of God in front of them. How ironic!

Day 72..."A Choice, Mercy, Spell Check"

Israel has a choice to follow God's commands or disobey. This 26th Chapter focuses on two different outcomes based on obedience or disobedience. (wise and foolish builders come to mind) Is this not a broader theme of the Scripture? We have two outcomes possible based on obedience or disobedience. A very upbeat Psalm today. God hears the cry of the needy and redeems them..."For he delivers the needy when he calls,the poor and him who has no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy,and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence he redeems their life,and precious is their blood in his sight." Our spelling challenge today is found in Mark..."Syrophoenician." If you can spell that I am pretty impressed! Jesus heals and again charges no one tell. (third instance of Messianic secret of Mark.) Jesus shows mercy when the woman claims..."even the dogs have bread under the tables to eat." Again, this ties in with the reading from the 72nd Psalm.

Day 71..."Year of Jubilee, Gray Hair, Tradition!"

Out of the detailed writings of rituals and sacrifices...bursts a chapter about JUBILEE! Wow. What a change of pace! Land shall rest. Debts forgiven. The poor should be treated well. Is this Leviticus? Cokesbury is 50 in 2007. Jubilee might fit in somewhere with the theme. Learning is a lifetime endeavor according to the Psalmist..."O God, from my youth you have taught me,and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs." There has to be some perks to gray hair! I noticed something in Mark I had not seen before... "You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men." Is there any tradition we hold on to more than God's commandments. I am reminded of the woman that always cut the end of a ham before she cooked. One of her daughters saw this and did the same. Years later, her daughter did the same...and so on. Many generations later the daughter asked the mother
"why" and she did not know. It turned out the pan was too short! Have we any traditions that are meaningless!

Day 70..."Blasphemy, An Eye for an Eye...God is Great!

Leviticus 23 writes eloquently about a lamp and bread and then levels those quilty of blasphemy. Blasphemy is disrespecting God continuously and deliberately. There is also a warning in the New Testament that already discussed. (See what I wrote on Day 64) An eye for an eye is the law of Leviticus. Jesus elevates the teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. (See day 11) The Psalmist says...'May those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!”
GOD IS GREAT!!! Mark will focus on Jesus' greatest in miracles! Mark focuses on the feeding of the 5000 men. (Woman and children would have pushed the numbers to at least twice that!) God will provide. Perplexed by the miracle the disciples were stunned again by Jesus walking on the water and calming the storm. Later, Jesus healed several by His touch. Wonder is in all three miracles!

Day 69..."Feasts, Despair, Rejection"

Moses institutes feasts in chapter 23...first fruits, weeks, trumpets, and booths. The Sabbath rest is also a highlight of today's reading. I noticed the the phrase "ordinary work." Our reading will continue to focus on the meaning of the Sabbath. The levitical code called for death for violating the Sabbath. This would likely dramatically increase worship attendance.
The Psalmist had a bad, bad, bad day! What is the saying..."when you are up to your neck in alligators! This seems to be the case. Listen for the despair..."I looked for pity, but there was none,and for comforters, but I found none." Jesus addresses rejection in today's Mark reading.
Shake off your feet when not welcome! A prophet is not welcome in his own country. Today also includes John the Baptist's gruesome death. The setting sounds barbaric to want a head on a platter. Faithfulness is the greater issue in the face of rejection.

Day 68..."Touching the Hem of the Garment"

Leviticus, chapter 22, speaks of more regulations but does end with a passage which says keeping the Lord Holy is a way to be sanctified. The Psalmist states the Lord is the source of real strength..."He is the one who gives power and strength to his people." The Mark reading is life changing for the woman with bleeding for twelve years. Her faith just to "touch the hem of the garment" changed her life...and is a metaphor for healing in our life too. Our healing could be physical, emotional, or spiritual. We are body, spirit, and mind...and Jesus can make us whole. The hymn "He touched me" by Bill Gaither speaks of the wonder of God's healing touch. The healing of Jairus' daughter from the dead is even more captivating and Jesus continues the Messianic secret of Mark not to tell.

Day 67..."Blemishes...Prayer...Pigs"

Leviticus 21 hightlights blemishes that prevent one from the sanctuary. This reading really puzzles me. It is reassuring to know "warts and all" Jesus receives us. The Psalmist prays a prayer still often used today. Some of us learned the phrase in UMYF..."May God be gracious to us and bless usand make his face to shine upon us." What an eary story as Jesus heals the man in the cemetery. The story of casting demons into 2000 hogs is captivating. How many demons were there? Of all of Jesus' miracles... this one would be among the most talked about!

Day 66..."More Consequences for Unholiness...Awesome God...A Great Calm".

Leviticus continues to list warnings and consequences for unholy living. God desires holiness in response to Him. The Levitical code calls for death in many cases of punishment. Is this the result of no legal system, prisons, and maintaining social order for millions? Holiness is obviously the dominant theological issue. Psalm 66 references the awesomeness of God twice... “How awesome are your deeds!" Our God is awesome! Mark writes about Jesus stilling the storm and there was a "great calm." Jesus can calm the supernatural and the storms of the soul! He is bigger than our inner storms! If we do the math, we have 300 days to go in reading the Bible. You may have noticed by now we have read over 200 chapters. Soon... we will be 25% along on our voyage through the Bible.

Day 65..."Tatoo's, Loving Neighbor, Good Soil"

Leviticus addresses more easily understood subjects today...like tatoo's and loving our neighbor. Some of today's reading even sounds like the Ten Commandments. In the midst of such binding rituals and laws...this chapter offers a breath of fresh air about treating people well and fair. The Psalmist speaks of the wonder of the environment..."You visit the earth and water it; you greatly enrich it;the river of God is full of water;you provide their grain, for so you have prepared it. You water its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges, softening it with showers, and blessing its growth. You crown the year with your bounty; your wagon tracks overflow with abundance. The pastures of the wilderness overflow,the hills gird themselves with joy, the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy." My father must have loved these passages. He loved the environment! Jesus speaks of four outcomes of seed. Three bad and one good. Why do people not get it? When they hear the Word. First outcome...devil snatches away before any roots form. Second outcome...the trouble of life makes one fall away. Third outcome...the cares and desires of life override the desire for the spiritual life. Fourth outcome...GOOD SOIL THAT PRODUCES AND PRODUCES AND PRODUCES!!!

Day 64..."Unlawful Sexual Relations...Depth in Heart and Mind...Unforgivable Sin?"

Leviticus 18 contains unlawful sexual relations. The majority would seem unecessary today regarding incest. Was incest a greater problem then? On the other hand...only one passage about a controversial topic today...homosexuality. The passage about a man laying with another man is one basis for saying homosexuality is incompatible with Biblical teaching. Our United Methodist tradition also includes a full range of Biblical passages to interpret the complicated issue of homosexuality. We do seek to teach all persons heterosexual persons or homosexual persons are in need of the grace of God and welcome. Psalm 64 says the heart and mind are deep..."For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep!" Is this one way of saying there is no bottom to our devotional life? Jesus names twelve disciples and speaks of an unforgivable sin. William Barclay describes this sin as the willful, continous, and deliberate rejection of God. One way to know we have not commited this sin is still being bothered by sin. A person hard hearted enough to be unpardonable would have zero interest in God or His forgiveness. Jesus says whoever does His will is in his family!

Day 63..."Blood is Life...Meditating by Night...Messianic Secret"

In the midst of all of the detail of sacrifice is a summary passage that stands out..."For the life of every creature is its blood: its blood is its life." Blood is life and very central to the message of the Bible...especially the cross. The Psalmist is upbeat in saying..."Because your steadfast love is better than life,my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands." The image of meditating by night is also inspiring to a devotional life..."when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help,and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy." Jesus is confronted about healing on the Sabbath again as technicalities of law are seen more than miracles. Jesus asks the disciples not to make Him known in what is known as the "Messianic Secret." The Gospel of Mark is known for this mystery. Was this secret to avoid crowds? Stay on course for the cross?
We will explore this mystery more as we read through the Gospels.

Day 62..."Day of Atonement, The Rock, New Wineskins"

Leviticus, chapter 16, reads more worshipful than the previous chapters in regard to the Day of Atonement. The Psalmist says..."He only is my rock and my salvation,my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken." This phrase is repeated as an intensification. Jesus teaches about new wineskins. New wine could not be placed in old brittle wineskins. New wine requires expansion. Otherwise the old wineskins will burst. New wine requires new wineskins. Jesus good news of the Kingdom of God was not able to be contained in the old brittle traditions of Judaism. The Sabbath is one of those teachings. Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath. Also, Jesus taught the Sabbath was made for man. These teachings drove the religious people of the day crazy! Also, a tension grew that would lead to Jesus' sentence of crucifixion. New wineskins also have flexibility and openness to new ideas. Obviously the religious people of this era were not of "Open Hearts, Open Minds, and Open Doors."

Day 61..."A Chapter to Make You Blush...Jesus' Numbers Go Through The Roof"

Leviticus has some gore and some readings that will make a person blush. The chapter on cleansing from bodily discharges is a chapter that will make your face red. Obviously, the rituals of cleansing addressed all areas of the human experience. Psalm 61 has one of my favorite passages"...when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Last Sunday I preached on "between a rock and hard place" and referenced this passage. A rock higher than I does help for gaining greater perspective and wisdom. Jesus draws such an enormous crowd a man was lowered through the roof. This is a great story of Jesus' healing power. We also read a story of value of imagination and determination. Look for a sermon sometime on the subject..."When Jesus' Numbers Go Through the Roof." In contrast of the Leviticus focus on cleansing, Jesus eats with sinners. The Bible is amazing!

Day 60.."More about Leprosy Cleansing...Jesus Heals a Leper"

One observation in the difficult reading of leprosy cleansing regards how the poor had a way to offer sacrifices within their means. I had not noticed before flexibility in sacrifices based on the ability to pay. In our Mark reading, Jesus heals a leper. The connection with Leviticus is obvious, as Jesus references Moses and showing himself to be indeed clean. The Gospel of Mark is consise and fast paced. I count six times the word "immediatly" was used in today's reading. The disciples were invited to be "fishers of men." This is a good metaphor for us on the coast. Our ways of reaching people in "Bringing Christ to People and People to Christ" is sometimes like a fishing expedition. The Psalmist lifts up a desire for restoration. The message of Psalm 60 is more lamenting than hopeful.

Day 59..."Laws of Leprosy...The Gospel of Mark Begins"

Leprosy, as we see in today's reading, was viewed as a major health risk. Even in Jesus' day on earth, Lepers were outcasts and stigmatized. Leviticus does provide glimpses of how people with disease where viewed in this day. The more sever cases obviously carried greater requirements to become reinstated in the community. As other subjects of Leviticus the main emphasis is on cleanliness or uncleanliness. The Psalmist says about the Lord's strength..."But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my Strength, I will sing praises to you,for you, O God, are my fortress,the God who shows me steadfast love." Mark begins his Gospel with the baptism of Jesus. Baptism is also an initiation into the Church. Notice also, following Jesus' baptism, He goes into the wilderness to battle Satan. As Matthew begins with genealogy, Luke the birth story, and John relating Jesus to all of creation...Mark begins with Jesus' ministry...initiated by both baptism and suriving 40 days in the wilderness.

Day 58..."And We Thought Getting Babies Ready for Church was Tough! The Great Commission

A short reading today, as all three selections were brief. I chuckled when I read Leviticus thinking...we complain how hard it is to get children ready for worship! The times of purification were pretty difficult if you ask me! I am not sure all of our readers would agree with the different requirements for male and female babies. Psalm 58 is based on vengeance and justice and concludes with the words...“Surely there is a reward for the righteous;surely there is a God who judges on earth.” We leave Matthew today. I am a little sad. Matthew is one of my favorite Books of the Bible. I go back and forth with my favorite Gospel. The Great Commission offers marching orders for the Church. At our best we are "making disciples" and baptizing. As I reflect on my years as a pastor, I love to teach and see people grow and to have wet hands! Nothing makes me more happy in the Church! As we complete Matthew, we now have read three long books of the Bible...Genesis, Exodus, and Matthew.

Day 57..."Clean and Unclean Animals...Refuge in Under God's Wings...The Resurrection!

Have you ever read an entire chapter about clean and unclean animals? Now you have. We can expect many more regulations the next few days. Thank God for grace in eating without the Leviticus menu! I might lose 25 lbs! What a wonderful image in Psalm 57 to take refuge in the shadow of God's wings. The seven greatest words of all are in Matthew..."He is not here, He has risen." We are an Easter people! Remember the victory is already won over sin and death! Notice the conspiracy theory to make it look like Jesus' body was stolen. Believe it or not, as slow as we have read Matthew...we have our final reading tomorrow.