Tues.’s Devo -Examining the Lamb

Read Numbers 2:1-3:51, Mark 11:27-12:17, Ps. 47:1-9, Pro. 10:24-25 The tribes of Israel were told to camp and march with three tribes on the east, three on the west, three on the south, and three on the north making the form of a cross. The Levites were in the middle and they were divided into four parts and they marched in the form of a cross. The ark of God’s presence was to be in the very middle. Everything flows forth from God’s presence. The tribe of Judah was to march first into war and since Judah means praise, we are to first turn to praise when we are attacked and need to fight. Praise makes us focus on God and His mighty power. It dispels fear. In Mark, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders all come to Jesus to start their process of examining Him to see if he is a spotless lamb. They first question his authority to do the miracles and teach the things he teaches. Jesus doesn’t answer them outright. He tricks them with a question. When they refuse to answer His, He refuses to answer theirs. He gives them a parable instead. It was about a man who planted a vineyard, put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. He rented out his vineyard to farmers and went away. When it was time to harvest the field the owner sent servants to collect the fruit, but the farmers kept killing the servants. Finally, the owner sent his son, thinking surely they would respect him. But, they did the same to him. The owner has no other choice but to come and kill the farmers and give the vineyard to others (the common Jews and the Gentiles). The vineyard was the kingdom of God that God established in Abraham. The farmers were the Jewish leaders and priests. The servants were the prophets and judges. The son was Jesus and the owner was God. The temple leaders realized this parable was against them and determined to catch Jesus in his words so they thought of another tricky question. Jesus nailed them on that one also. Jesus is the Word and is never without the right answer. Lord, may we hide Your word in our hearts. You are the spotless Lamb of God.