Isaiah 11

The ongoing prophesy of the coming of the Christ. He shall come from the house of Jesse (King David's father). Symbolic of his reign are the following characteristics: wisdom and understanding, counsel and strength, knowledge and the fear of the Lord, righteousness, justice, faithfulness, peace, unity, security. The nations will seek him and Ephraim and Judah will be friends. All things that stand in the way of God's word going forth to the nations will be taken out of the way.

NOTES:
* Jesus comes from the obscurity of the house of Jesse rather than the mighty house of King David. David's house had been cut down, obliterated by the time of Jesus birth such that only a stump was left. Joseph and Mary were not from a rich household but from a house of obscurity.

* It is good to cross reference to Is 9:6,7:

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for evermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

* Judah and Ephraim are a type for the Jews and Gentiles. Jesus came so that both Jews and Gentiles are reconciled both to God and to one another. And he has opened the door for this to happen.

Psalm 40, 41

One thing that continually strikes me about the Psalms is that David (and the other writers) didn't live in the time of grace post resurrection. So as in these 2 Psalms you have David making pleas to God reminding him of his salvation and promises. It is almost like, 'God you said do this and I've done it so therefore please have compassion on me.' Of course being pre resurrection they did not have the promise of forgiveness of sins as we have it. Jesus' blood had not be shed for them at that point in time.

At the same time we shouldn't shun asking God for help, for protection, for his blessings. Our battles are not against flesh and blood but against spiritual powers and strongholds. BUT we live with the assurance that Jesus the Messiah has died for our sins and we have salvation through his blood that wipes clean for us the record book of our wrongs.

Psalm 38, 39

Both these Psalms of David deal with a sense of being far from God, and a loneliness that comes from a sense of guilt and remorse for sins committed.

Ps 38:3,4 There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your indignation; There is no health in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities are gone over my head; As a burden they weigh too much for me.

Ps 38:21 Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, do not be far from me!

Ps 39:8 Deliver me from all my transgressions; Make me not the reproach of the foolish.

Many people today have that same sense of God being far away. The honest realise that this feeling comes from their own disobedience to God. The righteous have learnt that the only way man can get rid of these feelings is to repent and believe in their hearts and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord.

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

Isaiah 9,10

The prophetic announcement of Jesus' birth and reign, bringing peace and God's governance. Yet still there is anger against Israel's arrogance. God then uses the Assyrian empire to fulfill his purposes. And the remnant return.


NOTES:
The parallels for today are plainly there. Jesus is already on the throne and God's grace falls on all, both the wicked and His family. But even as John prophesied in the book of Revelation to the church of Laodicea, 'you say, "I am rich and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and and poor and blind and naked.' God then goes on to say, 'Those whom I love, I also love and reprove and discipline, therefore be zealous and repent.' The message is clear it is easy to become arrogant with all we have, the materialistic in some ways hedonistic life we live, but God says, walk carefully down that route because your pride simply hides the reality of whom you are and I will reprove and discipline you.

If God chooses to use nonbelievers or even heretics within the church to bring about repentance, reform and revival then we should not be surprised.

Lev 7, 8

Interesting that even the alter had to be atoned for (v15) signifying that nothing that is made by man can measure up to the holiness of God without being purified by God.
The consecration of Aaron and his sons followed this pattern:
1. annointing oil to consecrate
2. bull of the sin offering for forgiveness
3. ram of the burnt offering for worship
4. ram of ordination
5. unleavedned bread as wave offering
6. annointing oil to consecrate.

BUT N.B.
THE LORD ORDAINS - NOT MAN (v33)

Mark 3

The Pharisees were more concerned that the letter of the law be kept rather than the intent (vv4-6).
Jesus reputation went before him such that people cam eexpecting miracles (v10) But why did he tell the demons not to declare whom he was? Was it that the time had not yet come for the Son fo God to be revealed?
vv13-34 denotes spiritual family - Jesus gathered the 12: declares unity else the house will fall - then calls his followers mother and brothers.

KEYPOINTS:
1. Right at the beginning of his ministry the Pharisees began plotting against Jesus
EXPECT RESISTANCE FROM THE START
2. The opponents were from the same community
EXPECT RESISTANCE FROM CHRISTIANS
3. The eraly believers strength came from unity
HEAVILY PROMOTE SPIRITUAL FAMILY

Lev 5, 6

v17 Now if a person sins and does any of the things which the Lord has commanded not to be done, though he was unaware, still he is guilty and shall bear his punishment.

KEYPOINTS:
SIN IS SIN whether we know of it or not. When I am in a new country and walk across the road and the police fine me, I have no choice in the matter. I cannot plead ignorance because I am guilty of breaking the law of the land. In the same way justice must be served by a just God. All things come back to 'His Name's Sake'.

Mark 2

* The scribes were there listening to Jesus (v6)
* Jesus was in the presense of sinners, not apart from them (v16)
* "The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath" (v27)
Interestingly both the srighteous scribes and the sinners sought out Jesus. This chapter deals with
1) RECONSILIATION - righteous/unrighteous - God/man (forgiveness of sins)
2) LIBERATION - law is to set free
- fasting (v19)
- sabbath (v27)
3)LORDSHIP - authority (v10)
- Lord od the sabbath (v28)

KEYPOINTS:
We have a mandate for dominion. If we start to live our lives like we are heirs of the king and inheritors of the earth then people will come to us. However we should be willing to be seen in the presence of both sinners and the so called righteous. The risk for us us to be seen in the presence of the elite while neglecting the lessor.

Ex 37, 38

What is remarkable is the precision and order with which construction of the tabernacle, ark and all their elements proceeded. It is a refelction of the 'order' with which God works. Additionally no expense was spared and each of the crastmen was the best in his trade. The result of order, precision, expense and expertise was excellence!

KEYPOINTS:
1) As we build, it must be to God's order and design.
2) What we build must be the best, built by the best, with no compromise.
3) The end result of all we do must be excellence.

MATT 26

THE LAST SUPPER, BETRAYAL & ARREST OF JESUS
reference to Old Testament scripture:
* to the disciples vv31, 54
* to the crowd v56
* to the scribes/elders v64

Jesus prepared both himself and the disciples by refering back to scriptures and turning to God. Whilst he was tempted to circumvent God's design (v39) he neither let himself (vv39, 42) or his followers (v52-54) to do this. Interestingly he never denied the false charges brought against him, prefering to remain silent. In contrast Peter denied the true accusations against himself.

KEYPOINTS:

1) Go with God's flow - don't try to fast track, circumvent or do it in my way (cf. Ex20:25)
2) "Never defend yourself" - A.W.Tozer