by Darrell | May 1, 2026 | Articles
Leviticus 25 outlines the Year of Jubilee. It’s an interesting subject to think about. Consider that every 7 days was a Sabbath. Every 7 years was a sabbatical year and after 7 cycles of this (49 years) came the year of Jubilee on the 50th year. The sabbatical year was a rest for the land. They were not to cultivate crops that year, but allow it to rest and they could harvest what grew naturally. This same restriction applied for the Year of Jubilee as well, but it was also much more. It added 2 more things regarding debts and land. If someone sold a piece of land, it was to be returned to them in the year of Jubilee. Also, if someone had indentured themselves, they were to be freed and any remaining debt was to be forgiven. It was like a fresh start for everyone. I think there are some similarities to that which we have in Christ that are worthy of some consideration.
The Year of Jubilee represented freedom and liberation. For one who had been indentured or had sold their land and had nothing at this time, it was a renewal and a chance at a “new” life. In Christ, we hear the good news proclaimed and realize that we are in bondage to sin and the outcome of that bondage is death (Rom 6:23). The good news reveals a liberation from this bondage (see Luke 4:18-19). We can be free to live for Christ. It is a new start and a new walk. We are renewed to a clean state, just as when we were innocent, as children. We embrace this new life and work to never go back to that bondage to sin.
Both the sabbatical year and the Year of Jubilee required a trust in God. The Israelites went from sowing and reaping on their land, to just letting it rest and waiting for what grew to sustain them. There were practical applications here in regards to productivity in the land, but this trust was even more important. The Israelites struggled with trusting God as He wanted them to. They would grumble and complain instead of trust and wait. Sometimes that even led to rebellion. Letting the land rest and trusting that God would sustain them was an act of faith. Likewise, we must act in faith. We must trust the Lord. Over and over in the Psalms, statements of trusting in God are expressed. Do we trust Him at all times, even the uncertain times?
The Year of Jubilee was important. It’s worthy of our consideration even though we do not live under the Old Law. Trust in the Lord and find freedom from sin and death in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior!
by Darrell | May 1, 2026 | Articles
Mark 2:1-13
We have finished Matthew and have begun the gospel account of Mark. In chapter 2, we read of Jesus healing a paralytic. Jesus is at Capernaum and people are gathering in a large enough number that there is no more room at all. Jesus is preaching the word and people are listening. Four men arrive carrying the paralytic. I can’t imagine carrying someone a significant distance but it would certainly slow them down and they arrive to see there is no more room to enter. This doesn’t deter them! That tells me 2 things – they were good friends and they had faith in Jesus power to do something for their friend.
These men carrying the paralytic are good friends. Friends that care. I was thinking about this in terms of drawing an application to ourselves. We need friends that will see our needs and work to help us with them. But we also need to BE friends that see needs and help with them. Not just physical things, but spiritual needs. What greater need does anyone have than to be brought to the Savior and have their sins forgiven?
Jesus looks at this paralytic and says, “Your sins are forgiven.” Perhaps everyone expected Him to heal the man and for them to see him get up and walk, but Jesus saw a bigger need than walking (and a teaching moment). Jesus forgave the man’s sins and He had every right to do so. He is the son of God. But in order to prove His authority to forgive sins, He also heals the man. The miracle proved it. This miracle was the witness to who Jesus is.
We need to understand and remember who Jesus is. The lamb of God. the Son of God. The Great Physician. The Good Shepherd. The Savior. The High Priest. And we could keep going. Jesus is of paramount importance. We need to be at His feet and we need to bring others to His feet!
by Darrell | May 1, 2026 | Articles
In our reading from Leviticus 8, Aaron and his sons are given instructions regarding their consecration for service as priests. They were the beginning of the line of priests beginning with Aaron and this was an important event. As I read this, I was thinking about Peter’s description of us as priests under the new covenant (1 Peter 2), and thinking about parallels between this chapter and us.
In the beginning of the chapter, they are to take the garments and oil, as well as a sin offering, rams, and unleavened bread while everyone is assembled together. They are then washed and clothed as they begin their service. We, as priests today, do not serve in the same way and do not wear specific garments like they did, but we are to be pure and righteous, cleansed of sin. We are set apart as believers in God, who will serve Him each day. We must seek to be clean and righteous in His sight always.
As Aaron and his sons are prepared for the service of God, even the tabernacle and all that was in it was consecrated for service. The priests and the items were all set apart for service to God. We, as Christians, are set apart to be useful to the Lord, called out of darkness into His marvelous light.
“Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:21)
Towards the end of the chapter, beginning in verse 30, Moses emphasizes that all of this is done according to the commands of the Lord. Atonement was made and they were consecrated. Likewise, we are expected to follow the commands of the Lord. We are set apart for the Lord’s service, seeking to bring glory to God. Our obedience is twofold. Verse 35 contained a warning about obedience “so that you do not die.” We obey in order to avoid condemnation, but that is not the limit of obedience. We also obey because we have come to love God (John 14:15), leading us to obey, and we desire to bring glory to Him (1 Corinthians 10:31). Note also, that it is chapter 10 that records Nadab and Abihu being killed because they did not obey the Lord and offered something He had not commanded (unauthorized fire). The warning from verse 35 was not heeded and they did lose their lives. We ourselves do not want to be turned away on the day of judgment so that we are condemned to eternal suffering and death. We desire to have life eternal with our God.
So then let us embrace our role as priests in the spiritual house of God, seeking to be pure, following His commands, and bringing glory to God!
by Darrell | May 1, 2026 | Articles
In Matthew 26:17-29, we read of the Lord and His disciples observing the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which was part of the Passover observance. There are a few things we can think about regarding this time they spent together.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread is described in Exodus 12:15-20. It lasted for seven days. Matthew states that they wanted to prepare for this feast, which came a day after the actual Passover meal. The Passover would fall on Wednesday and this meal would be on Thursday. The preparation mentioned would be finding a suitable place that had already gone through taking out all leaven. They were following Exodus 12.
An occasion that was intended to be a remembrance of that final plague in Egypt and the salvation of the Hebrews from death (a likeness of Jesus’ sacrifice to deliver us from spiritual death) was soured by Jesus telling the disciples that someone would betray Him. None of them could believe it and even asked, “Is it I, Lord?” They couldn’t see their fellow disciples betraying Him and even asked about themselves. A special occasion with love for the Lord and dedication to keeping the law is interrupted with this exchange and they were distressed by it. When Judas asks, “Is it I, Rabbi?” Jesus responds. “You have said so.” Judas had already made an offer to the chief priests (verse 14). He had already thought of it. John adds to this in John 13:30 that Judas goes out immediately.
When we get to Matthew 26:26-29, we read of Jesus partaking of the unleavened bread and also instituting the Lord’s Supper. We learn of the elements – the unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine – from this context. He was taking a special observance from the Passover in the Old Testament and and giving us a new observance that is even more special under the New Covenant. An observance that sees the true Passover in which Christ is our Passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). We partake of that special observance each Lord’s Day (the first day of the week, the day He arose from the dead). The Lord’s Supper is a remembrance of that sacrifice to deliver us from death (Hebrews 2:14-15). What an important thing to remember!
Jesus partook of that unleavened bread and fruit of the vine. He was betrayed, mocked, abused, scourged, and crucified — according to the plan of God (Ephesians 1:9-10). He was 3 days in the earth (tomb) and He arose on the third day, appearing to His apostles and over 500 others (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). Then He ascended to Heaven (Acts 1:6-11) and we await His return. Let’s be ready!
by Darrell | May 1, 2026 | Articles
Monday’s reading was Exodus 26-27, with 26 dealing with details on the making of the tabernacle. Going back to chapter 25:8-9 it stated, “And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.” Exactly as I show you was an important statement when you look at the details being given. The Hebrew writer stated that Moses was careful to do just that (Hebrews 8:5).
When we think of the Jews and a worship place for God, we tend to think of Solomon’s temple and the massive undertaking of that project. But here, with this temporary dwelling place, it was still a huge undertaking. For a people wandering through the wilderness, making fine curtains with expensive dyes, gold clasps, bronze clasps, goat hair weaving, ram skins, etc etc., was quite a task. Materials and workmanship for this project were difficult for a city, much less a wandering people, but God provided.
The tabernacle was ornate for a temporary dwelling and I have often wondered about the difficulty of setting up and taking down, then moving, such a structure. However, that would never be seen as a burden — IF — they saw the tabernacle as intended. It was a dwelling place for God as well as a place of worship to Him.
We should think likewise. Our service to God is not a burden (1 John 5:3), but a privilege. We should treat it as such, coming before Him with thanksgiving! Psalm 95:2, “Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!”
by Darrell | Mar 26, 2026 | Articles
Exodus 36:1-7 has always impressed me. We are often very critical of the Israelites in the wilderness, but here is a case in which we can see them working for God’s glory and celebrate it.
Last week, I wrote about the command of God to build the tabernacle and He gave the details on how He wanted it made. It was a big project. Now, we are reading of the craftsmen undertaking the work and contributions that were made to support it.
Chapter 36:1-2 mentions 2 men by name, but they were not the only craftsmen. There were others. God had given them knowledge and talent to accomplish what He commanded. Perhaps this is a good reminder that God equips us to accomplish what He wants us to do. We all have talents and abilities that can be used for His glory. Those abilities can be honed and sharpened over a lifetime so that as we mature, we serve Him to a greater degree as days go by.
Verses 3-5 show the generosity of those contributing to the work. They were bringing free-will offerings, but continued to bring those offerings as the work was being done. Imagine the excitement in their hearts as the work began and as they watch everything begin to take shape. They brought so much that the workmen came to Moses and said they had more than enough. We should all be excited about the work of the Lord! We offer Him of our resources, our labors, our time, and our energy for His kingdom. We should feel a sense of excitement.
“Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” (Romans 12:11)
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:11–14)
We should feel a sense of hope and anticipation as we wait for the appearing of our Savior. That should translate over to an excitement and zeal about doing His work on this earth and bringing glory to Him.
