Mon.’s Devo - Jesus, Our Saviour

Read: Exodus 35:10-36:38; Matthew 27:32-66; Psalm 34:1-10; Proverbs 9:7-8 The instructions that God had given Moses on the mountain were given out and everyone that desired to give, gave. The women used their skills to make thread and weave the fabric for the curtains and the men constructed the framework for the Tabernacle. Bezelel and Oholiab led the skilled craftsmen with building the furniture and all the carved objects. Everything was made just as God had commanded Moses. It was all to be a replica of the Temple in heaven on a much smaller scale. In Matthew, Jesus was being led to Calvary carrying his cross. When it got too hard for him to carry, they grabbed a man named Simon who was from Cyrene to carry it the rest of the way. Jesus was led to Golgotha which means “place of a skull”. He was given bitter gall and vinegar to taste but he refused to drink it. They crucified him, then cast lots for his clothes. A sign was placed over his head which read, “This is Jesus the king of the Jews.” Two thieves were crucified on either side of him. He was ridiculed by those who passed by and by those who stayed to watch. At the sixth hour (noon), darkness covered the land for three hours. At the ninth hour (3 o’clock), he cried out quoting from Psalm 22. In that Psalm it describes all he was going through. Verse 16-18 describes his pierced hands and feet, and his garments that they cast lots for. Psalm 18 describes what happened during and after the three hours of darkness. It describes the earth quaking and the smoke and fire. It says that God bowed the heavens and came down in the cloak of darkness and the war that took place in the heavenlies. God won the battle and delivered his son. He rewarded him for his righteousness and enabled him to rise and fight.God made him the head of the heathen which would serve him. Jesus shouted out, “It is finished,” and released his spirit. The curtain in the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom and the earth shook, rocks split apart and tombs were opened. The bodies of many godly people in Jerusalem came back to life. They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection and walked the streets of Jerusalem and appeared to many of the people. The Roman officer and his soldiers around the cross saw all of this and were terrified. They said, that truly Jesus was the Son of God. One of Jesus’ followers was a rich man named Joseph from Arimathea. He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus body. He took it and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and placed it in his own tomb which had been carved out of a rock. The priests and Pharisees went to Pilate and asked him to seal it to keep the prophecies of his resurrection from happening. All of this was observed by the Mary’s of Jesus’ life. When the children of Israel left Egypt, they emptied the tomb of Joseph and took his bones to the Promised Land. This was a picture of Jesus who would empty Joseph’s tomb and go to his Promised Land. Lord, thank you that you fulfill all your promises and you are completely faithful to your Word. We can trust in everything you say. Thank you for the cross - our salvation and our hope. Thank you for the resurrection - the promise of a new life in you.

Sun.’s Devo - The Atonement

Read: Exodus 34:1-35:9: Matthew 27:15-31; Psalm 33:12-22; Proverbs 9:1-6 God showed his compassion and patient love to Moses by calling him back up the mountain to re-chisel the commandments on new tablets. God called out his name as he approached Moses in a cloud - “Yahweh”. He told him he was full of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry, filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. He would continue to love for thousands of generations and he forgives iniquity, rebellion and sin. But, he does not excuse the guilty and lays their sins upon their children for four generations. Moses laid prostrate on the ground begging God to go with them. God promised to go before them and chase out their enemies. He promised to perform miracles that had never been done on the earth to display his power for them. They were not to make covenants with the other nations or they would end up following their ways and worshipping their gods and it would be a trap to them. They were to remember to celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread annually. It was the anniversary of their deliverance. They must buy back the first born of animal and sons of theirs from the Lord. If they didn’t want to buy back their first-born donkey, they were to break its neck. A donkey stood for burdens and stubbornness. Breaking its neck was a sign of breaking that stubbornness and curse of labor. The Sabbath was to be kept and the Festival of Harvest and Festival of the Final Harvest was to be kept. Theses were times of harvest which represented times when souls would come into the kingdom. Moses stayed on the mountain for forty days and nights without food or water. When he came down, his face was radiant and the people were afraid to come near to him. Moses told the elders the new things that God had told him then he put a veil on his face whenever he was in public. He collected materials he would need for the Tabernacle from the people who gave it freely. In Matthew, it was the Passover celebration and Pilate had a tradition where he would release a prisoner from jail during this time. He brought out the most notorious in his jail: Barabas and Jesus. They were the two goats - one would be sacrificed and one would go free. Pilate’s wife sent a message to Pilate about a nightmare she had had warning him not to hurt Jesus. Nevertheless, the people chose to crucify Jesus. Pilate washed his hands in front of them and said that he was innocent of their crime. They Jews shouted that they would take responsibility. Jesus was beaten and taken to the Roman headquarters where they put a scarlet robe on him and a reed in his right hand as a scepter. They mocked him and hailed him as the king of the Jews. They spit on him and terrorized him until they were bored. Then they took the robe off and led him to be crucified. Jesus, thank you for everything you went through for us. Thank you for takin all that mocking and pain to carry our sins on you. Thank you for not calling angels to deliver you but finishing your mission. May we finish our mission on earth bringing glory to you.

Sat.’s Devo - The Penalty of Sin

Read: Exodus 32:1-33:23; Matthew 26:69-27:14; Psalm 33:1-11; Provers 8:33-36 Moses was like God to the people and when he didn’t come back, the people went to Aaron and asked him to make them some gods that could lead them so they could get going. Aaron was afraid of he people and complied. He told them to bring the gold rings from the ears of their females and melted it and molded the gold into the shape of a calf. He then built an altar before the calf and proclaimed the next day as a festival to the Lord. The people sacrificed and celebrated with food, wine, and pagan revelry. God knew exactly what they were doing and told Moses it was time to get back to the camp and discipline his children. God wanted to kill them all and begin a new line through Moses but Moses convinced the Lord to have mercy. What would the nations who were watching think? When Moses saw for himself what they were doing he was so mad, he threw down the tablets he was carrying to get their attention. He had the calf ground to powder, mixed with water and forced the people to drink it. He held Aaron responsible and Aaron’s excuse is laughable. He told Moses he threw the gold into the fire and out popped this calf. They had exposed themselves to their enemies who were watching, so Moses stood in the gate of the camp and asked who was on the Lord’s side to come to him. The Levites responded and came and stood beside Moses. He told them to take their swords and kill everyone who participated in the celebration. They killed around 3,000 people. Moses went back to the Lord to pray atonement for the people. God said that those that sinned against him he would blot out of his book. As for the rest, Moses would lead them to the land he had promised and when he visited them, he would deal with their sin. He did visit them, in the form of Jesus Christ and Jesus dealt with sin. God promised to send his angel ahead of them to chase out the Canaanite, Amorite, Hittite, Perizzite, Hivite and the Jebusite. God also told them to take off the garments and jewelry of Egypt and not wear them anymore. They obeyed and didn’t wear them again. God would not dwell in the midst of them because they were stiff-necked and he knew he would end up killing them if he did. Moses moved the Tabernacle, that was in the midst of the people, out of the camp and if the people wanted to seek the Lord, they had to walk outside of the camp. When Moses entered the tabernacle, the cloud of God’s glory stood at the door. The people saw it and rose up to worship. Moses would go into the tabernacle where he spoke to God face to face as a friend, then he would return to the people to tell them what he said, but Joshua stayed in the Tabernacle. Moses prayed to see God’s glory and he allowed him to see him pass by. In Matthew, Peter denied Jesus three times. It didn’t hit Peter about what he had done until the rooster crowed. Then he remembered what Jesus had said and left weeping. Jesus was bound and taken to Pilate, the Roman governor. When Judas learned that Jesus was condemned to die, he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the priests and elders and tried to buy him back. He told them that Jesus was innocent. They didn’t care, they had what they wanted which was Jesus. Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and hung himself. The priests used the thirty pieces of silver to buy the potter’s field which would be a cemetery for foreigners. This had been prophesied in Zechariah 11:12-13 and Jeremiah 32:6-9. Pilate asked Jesus if he was the king of the Jews and Jesus answered him, “You have said it.” That was the last response Jesus gave them for all their false accusations. Lord, may we be slow to speak and think before we answer. Maybe the best answer is no answer at all. Holy Spirit, guide us into all truth.

Fri.’s Devo - Jesus’ Betrayal

Read: Exodus 30:11-31:18; Matthew 26:47-68; Psalm 32:1-11; Proverbs 8:27-32 Whenever the children of Israel took a census, they were first to let every man ransom or buy back their soul. To count the people was to judge them as in the last judgment. If they didn’t pay the ransom price there would be a plague like the time David counted the people in 2 Samuel 24. Everyone was to pay the exact amount, rich or poor, because God values all people the same. A huge bronze basin was to be put next to the brazen altar so that the priests could purify themselves before they entered the sanctuary. Incense mixed with olive oil was to be made for the incense altar made by an apothecary. With it, the priest were to anoint all the instruments and furniture in the tabernacle. Aaron and his sons were to be anointed by this special oil. The incense and the special oil was not to be copied by the people and used for ordinary use or that person would be cut off from the people. God chose Bezaleel to fill with his spirit to make all the things for the tabernacle. His name means “the shadow of God”. Oholiab was to be his assistant. His name means “tent of his father”. Moses reminded the people to keep the Sabbath as a holy day set apart for the Lord. They were to completely rest and dedicate that day to the Lord. All of this God spoke to Moses in the mountain and wrote them with his finger on two tablets of stone. In Matthew, Judas met Jesus on the mountain where he was praying and betrayed him with a kiss. Peter (John 18:10) grabbed one of the swords of the Roman officers that accompanied Judas and cut off the right ear of the servant of the high priest. Luke 22:51 tells us that Jesus touched his ear and healed him. Jesus was then led to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest where the teachers and elders of the religious order were assembled. Peter followed them and sat with the guards to see what would happen. False witnesses were called in but none of their testimony stood until one stood up and told the truth. Jesus had said that he was able to destroy the Temple of God and rebuild it in three days. Then they cried “blasphemy” and began to beat Jesus and mock him. Jesus was not killed because of a lie, but because of the truth. They were responsible for their actions. Lord, may we discern the truth and love it. Even if we do not understand it, may we walk in your truth.

Thurs.’ Devo - Sanctifying the Priests

Read: Exodus 29:1-30:10; Matthew 26:14-46; Psalm 31:19-24; Proverbs 8:14-26 God gave Moses instructions for consecrating Aaron and his sons for the priesthood. They were to take a young bull and two rams that were spotless, along with unleavened bread made with olive oil that had been placed in a single basket at the entrance of the Tabernacle. Aaron and his sons were to stand there and be washed and dressed in the priestly garments. When they were ready, they were to place their hands on the head of the bull, transferring their sins to the animal. The bull would be killed and its blood sprinkled on the horns of the brazen altar which stood for the cross. This ceremony was to represent how Jesus offered his life as a ransom for our sins. The inner parts of the bull were to be kept but its body was to be burned outside the camp as a sin offering. Jesus’ body was beaten, bruised and torn but his soul and his spirit was present before the Lord. Aaron and his sons then laid their hands on the other ram and slaughtered it and its blood was applied to the right earlobes, the thumbs of their right hand, and the big toes of their right foot. This was to represent their ability to hear and discern truth, serve with clean hands and walk uprightly. Aaron and his sons were to lift this bull and unleavened bread up before the Lord as a special gift. This would be their portion that they would eat with the Lord. This ceremony would continue for seven days with sacrifices being made daily in the morning and the evening. This would serve to sanctify the priests and the altar. If they did what the Lord required, he would live among them and be their God and the would know that He was the one who brought them out of Egypt in order that God could live among them. Moses was to make another altar for incense that would sit just outside of the Holy of Holies right in front of the Ark of the Covenant. It would look like a mini Ark made of wood and covered with gold. Every morning when Aaron maintained the menorah he was to burn incense to the Lord. Once a year he was to purify this altar by applying blood to its horns. This altar was to represent the prayers made to the Lord by the saints. It was the most holy altar. In Matthew, Judas Iscariot had been in charge of Jesus’ finances and saw a way to get more money. Whether he believed Jesus when he said he was going to be handed up in Jerusalem and realized his source of income was about to be gone or what his motives were, we don’t know. We do know that he chose to sell Jesus life for thirty pieces of silver. More importantly, we know this: Jesus freely gave up his life for us. On the first day of Unleavened Bread, Jesus sent his disciples to set up the place where they would eat the Passover meal together. While they were eating, Jesus told them that one of them would betray him. He reminded them of the scriptures that prophesied that he must die, but woe to the man who betrays him. The disciples were very upset wanting to know who it could be. Even Judas asked if it would be him. Jesus blessed the bread and explained that it represented his body, then he blessed the wine and told them that this represented his blood. It would confirm the covenant between God and his people. His sacrifice would forgive the sins of many. They sang a song and then went out to the Mount of Olives. Jesus warned them that the Shepherd would be struck and the sheep would be scattered. Then he would be raised from the dead. Peter blurted that he would never deny Jesus, but Jesus told Peter that before the next morning he would deny him three times. Jesus took Peter, James and John up with him on the mountain to pray. While Jesus struggled with his mission ahead of him, he surrendered to God’s will. Meanwhile, the three disciples fell asleep. After the third time of checking on the disciples, Jesus told them the time had come. He looked up and saw his betrayer coming to take him. Lord, How great is the good ness you have stored up for this who fear you! Reading today’s scripture reminds us of the wonders of your unfailing love for us. May we be strong and courageous and put our hope in you.

Wed.’s Devo -The Priests and the High Priest

Read: Exodus 28:1-43; Matthew 25:31-26:13; Psalm 31:9-18; Proverbs 8:12-13 Aaron and his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar were to be set apart as priests to the Lord. Aaron was to be set apart as the High Priest and was given special garments to wear which would represent the office of Jesus as our High Priest. All five of them were to wear robes made of fine linen cloth embroidered with gold, blue, purple and scarlet thread. Aaron was to wear an ephod which was like an open vest. It was to be of the same linen and thread with two pieces that flapped over his head and hung down in the front and back. It was attached only at the shoulders. A decorative sash held it in place, close to his body. Two onyx stones were carved with the names of six of the tribes on one stone and the other six on the others. They would be set in gold filigree on the shoulders so when God looked down from heaven he would see those names. Aaron would also wear a chestpiece which would have an inner pocket for the stones of the Urin and the Thummim which would determine the will of God. One stood for “yes” and the other “no”. On the outside of the chestpiece were three rows of four stones. They were all different and each one etched with the name of the tribe they represented. This chest piece was attached to the ephod with rings of gold. In this way, Aaron would hold the tribes of Israel close to his heart. Over all this, Aaron was to wear a robe made from a single piece of blue cloth with an opening for his head in the middle of it. It was to have pomegranates embroidered with the colored threads at the bottom with a bell between each pomegranate. The bells would tinkle when he walked. On his head, he was to wear a turban with a gold seal on it that read, “Holy to the Lord”. This would keep him holy while he bore the sins of the people. Aaron and his sons were to be consecrated to serve as priests then adorned in their priestly garments. They were to wear linen undergarments to cover them when performing their duties. All of the garments of the priests pertain to Jesus, his holiness, and his great intercessor that he is for us. He carried our guilt and shame into the presence of the Lord after he became our final sacrifice. Now, we as part of his holy priesthood stand before God in holy garments who can boldly approach his throne of grace. Jesus continued his sermon about the end of time in Matthew. When Jesus comes back with all the angels, he will sit upon his throne. All the nations will be gathered for the judgment and he will separate the sheep on his right - those who were his, from the goats on his left- those who were Lucifer’s. The sheep will be invited to inherit the Kingdom prepared for them because they ministered to people as unto the Lord. They will go to eternal life. The ones on the left who lived only for themselves will go to eternal punishment. It was two days before the Passover. Jesus reminded his disciples that he would become the Lamb of God that would be offered for the sins of the world. (They did not grasp this at the time.) At this very time across town, the priests and elders were meeting at Caiphas’ house to plot Jesus’ death. A woman came and anointed Jesus head and feet with expensive perfume. When the disciples opposed the opulence of the act, Jesus explained that she was preparing his body for burial. Lord, reading this I am reminded of how many times we miss the importance of the moment only to find out later. May our spirits be in tune with what you are doing today in our lives and may we walk according to your plan. Thank you that you are our High Priest who bore our sin and guilt upon you. Thank you for cleansing us and making us holy in your sight.

Tues.’s Devo - The Making of the Tabernacle

Read: Exodus 26:1-27:21; Matthew 25:1-30; Psalm 31:1-8; Proverbs 8:1-11 God had told the children of Israel to spoil the Egyptians so that they would have the materials needed to make the Tabernacle. Their offerings would be totally voluntary but they gave freely. From the linen threads, they wove cloth with red, blue and purple embroidered cherubim. With it they made eleven curtains 45’ x 6’ long and attached five of them together to make one piece and seed together the other six to make another piece. These would be coverings for the sides of the Tabernacle. They would be joined in the back with loops and hooks. They were to do the exact thing with goat hair cloth three feet longer for a covering over the top. The extra feet were for a hang over. They would be joined with the same loops and hooks. The framework was made of wood that could be easily taken apart and moved. Inside the Tabernacle was to have a linen curtain decorated with the embroidered cherubim hung on gold hooks. Its posts were to be covered with gold and set in silver bases. The Ark of the Covenant would be behind this curtain which would separate the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. The Ark and its cover would be placed in the Holy of Holies which would be the place of atonement. The table of shewbread would be placed on the north side of the Holy Place and the Menorah on the south side of the same room. A curtain would be hung in front of them also with gold hooks and bronze bases. Next, the bronze altar where all the sacrifices would be made was constructed. It was made of wood and bronze. It would have four bronze horns on the corners and a grate for burning the sacrifices. It was like a huge Bar-B-Q pit. It was placed in the courtyard and was enclosed with curtains made of linen. The courtyard would be 150’ long by 75’ long. A 30’ opening for the entrance would be at the east side. The whole courtyard would be encased in curtains. The people were asked to bring olive oil for the lamps that were to burn continually. God’s light was to never go out. Speaking of oil, that leads us right into the next story in Matthew about the ten bridesmaids. They were to meet with bridegroom in the night with their lamps. They waited and waited for him to come and five of the bridesmaids got lazy and stopped filling their lamps. When the bridegroom came they had not oil and ran to find some. He came while they were gone and it was too late for them. Oil represents the Holy Spirit which is the anointing of God in our lives. Another parable was about a man who left for a long trip. He gave his servants money according to their abilities and left. To one he gave five bags of silver, to one two bags and to the last one he gave one bag of silver. The one who received the five invested and earned five more. The one with two went to work and earned two more. But the one with one hid his in the ground. When the master returned they gave account and the master praised the first two and exalted them to new positions. The one who hid his was rebuked was stripped of the money he was given and it was given to the first man. The story’s conclusion was: “To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.” The last man was thrown into outer darkness, there there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Lord, help us to use our time wisely on earth and be about your business. May we freely give of the talents you have blessed us with.