Wed.’s Devo -The Traveling Cross

Read: Numbers 21:1-3:51; Mark 11:27-12:17; Psalm 47:1-9; Proverbs 10:24-25 Each tribe had their own symbol which they put on their flag. They camped and marched with their tribe. All the tribes camped around the tabernacle. Judah, who led the way, Issachar and Zebulun were always on the east. Reuben, Simeon and Gad marched and camped to the south. Benjamin, Manasseh and Ephraim on the west and Dan, Asher and Naptali to the north. From heaven, they looked like a huge cross traveling through the land. *** The Levites and priests camped around the tabernacle in the center. Gershon’s clan camped west of the tabernacle and were in charge of the tent and all the curtains. Kohath and his clan camped south of the tabernacle and were in charge of the altars and the vessels of the sanctuary. Merari’s clan camped to the north and carried the frames of the tabernacles with it bases, pillars and all the accessories that went with them. Moses, Aaron and his sons camped to the east and were in charge of guarding the tabernacle against outsiders. *** God had Moses list all the firstborn because he was substituting the Levites for the firstborn. There were 273 more firstborn than there were Levites so they redeemed them with five shekels a head. God was teaching them that it is not just being born first or being Jewish that constitutes what he wants. You must be chosen or redeemed. Jesus took it a step further when he told them they must be born again. *** In Mark, Jesus was walking into the temple when he was stopped by the chief priests and the elders. They asked him who gave him the authority to do the things he was doing. He answered them with a question. He asked them if the baptism of John was from heaven or from man. They couldn’t answer him because it would expose their hearts, so they said they didn’t know. So Jesus told him he wouldn’t answer their question either. *** Then Jesus answered them with a parable about a man who planted a vineyard and leased it to tenants and left the country. He sent servants to get the proceeds but were treated harshly and given nothing. He finally sent his son thinking they would honor him, but they killed him thinking they would then own the vineyard. Jesus asked them what the owner should do. They answered that he should kill them and put someone else in charge. 
 *** Jesus reminded them of the scripture in Psalm 118:22 that said the stone that the builders rejected became the cornerstone. With this parable, Jesus was telling them that God had sent him to take his vineyard back from them who had usurped the true worship of God. *** The religious leaders knew he had given that parable against them and wanted to arrest him but feared the people would riot so they tried to trap him in his teaching. The Pharisees asked him if it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. Jesus asked for a coin and asked who’s likeness was on it. Then he told them to give to Caesar whatever was his and to God the things that are God’s. They marveled at his wisdom. He was able to get out of all their traps because he is wisdom. *** Lord, thank you that you guard us and keep us in your will. We pray that you raise up godly ministers who desire to honor you above all. We pray that you raise up godly leaders to lead our country, our counties and our cities. May your peace reign in our land. May your peace reign in our hearts. Thank you for your marvelous plan.