Wed.’s Devo - The Kingdom of God

Read: Exodus 39:1-40:38; Mark 1:1-28; Psalm 35:1-16; Proverbs 9:11-12 Bezalel finished the priests’ garments and all the other things he had been commissioned to do. The craftsmen finished their work and they presented them to Moses. Moses inspected everything and was very pleased. He blessed them. God instructed Moses to put everything together on the first day of Nissan, the month of the Passover and Unleavened Bread. Moses erected the Tabernacle framework and put the roof coverings over the tent, Then placed the stone tablets in the Ark, attached the poles and put the lid with the angels on it on top. The brought the Ark into the Tabernacle and set up the curtains around it. Then he placed the table of shewbread to the north side of the Holy Place and arranged the bread on the table. Then he set the lamp stand in the Tabernacle across from the table on the south side and lit the lamps. The gold incense altar was placed in front of the Ark with the curtain to separate the rooms. Then the curtains were placed around that room. Next, Moses placed the brazen altar for the sacrifices near the Tabernacle entrance. The washbasin was placed between the altar and the and the Holy Place so the priest could wash his hands before entering the Tabernacle. Lastly, Moses put the curtain around the tent and at the entrance where nothing could be seen from the outside. When Moses had finished, a cloud covered the Tabernacle and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. Moses couldn’t enter because of the cloud and the glory. Whenever the cloud lifted, the people would set out on their journey and follow it. But if it didn’t rise, they remained where they were. The cloud would hover over the Tabernacle during the day and a pillar of fire glowed inside the cloud at night. Matthew had been a testimony to the Jews to show that Jesus was the King, the lion. The Gospel of Mark was written as a testimony to the Romans. It was to show that Jesus was the Servant, the Ox. Since Mark wrote his gospel to the Romans, he began with their first introduction to the gospel, which was John the Baptist. He called all people to repent, not just Jews. He showed the transference of his ministry to Jesus and validated Jesus authority and identity. He told how Jesus chose his followers from the fishermen and Jesus’ rise to importance. He taught in the synagogues with authority not like the other priests and teachers of the law. To the Romans, Jesus, the servant, looked much different from their officers and leaders who were selfish and arrogant. The Roman government had earthly power and recognition but the leaders of their government could not do the supernatural things Jesus could do. Lord, we are ministering to people like the Romans, who don’t know who you are and don’t understand your kingdom of love and grace. May we be examples to them of a kingdom with authority and signs and wonders. May they open their hearts to receive it.