Thoughts on February 20 Bible Reading

February 20, 2018

Reading: Numbers 5-6; Mark 3

(Guest Post: Barnabas Roland)

Numbers 5-6

These are certainly some intriguing chapters having to do with purity. Put those with skin diseases outside of the camp. Let the priest test the woman accused of adultery by having her drink from the cup of bitterness. Let someone who wants to take a special vow of holiness grow out his hair—as Samson later did. How are we to understand these things much less follow the teaching?

A brief and partial answer is that during this time of history God worked through the priesthood and laws to teach the people of Israel. This historical context is of utmost importance. During this time of the Israelite priesthood, God was teaching Israel about purity. The teachings on purity taught them about God and what was demanded of people. Jesus later taught the crowds on a mountainside, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God” (Matt 5:8). Paul would one day write to the young church of Colossae, “Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust and evil desires” (Col 3:5).

Numbers 6:24-26

Make sure that you pay attention to this great prayer that many people pray for their children each day:

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.

Remember that the power is not in a special prayer, but in the Lord who hears our prayers.

Mark 3

In today’s New Testament passage we see some great things happening in the ministry of Jesus. After he heals a man and withdraws with his disciples to the sea, crowds from Galilee and Judea and even areas outside of Israel begin to flock to him. Jesus continues healing and teaching and is now at the point where he formally appoints the 12 apostles. 

Apostle means “sent-out one.” Jesus pours into these leaders, sends them out on short-term trips, and after he dies, they are the foundation of the church. They are the first-hand witnesses of the resurrection and guard the Biblical truth of what becomes the New Testament canon. 

We haven’t yet arrived at the death and resurrection of Christ, but already Jesus seems very successful in what the Father has sent him to do. But look more closely at the opposition that is also taking place. The Pharisees meet up with one of the other political parties called the Herodians for the purpose of destroying Jesus (Mark 3:6). Scribes from the capital travel down to oppose him saying he is using Satanic power to heal people (Mark 3:22). His own family tries to seize him because they thought he was out of his mind (Mark 3:21). 

The final verse of the chapter sums up how Jesus responded to all of this. Success is doing the will of God. Our identity of who we should seek to please is God—no matter what any other group of people think. It doesn’t matter what the culture, our co-workers, our schoolmates, or even our own family say or think if we are not doing the will of God. Our success is doing the will of God. Our identity is first as a son or daughter of God.