Thoughts on the readings for February 19th (Exodus 30, Psalms 87, 88, Mark 15, 16)

Exodus 30 tells us of the altar of incense. Its dimensions and the materials of which it was made. Verses 1-10 tells us that it was a box made of acacia wood overlaid with gold. Around the top of the golden box was a crown of gold. Identical language is used for the protective parapet that was on the roof of every Jewish house - indicating that like the altar of incense the house was dedicated to prayer. The compounded incense was to be burnt to smoke. The fragrant incense described at the end of the chapter. The location of the incense altar was against the veil of the Most Holy Place. This tells us that prayer is essential for the believer to enter the presence of God (Psalm 141 verse 2; Revelation 8 verse 3). The writer to the Hebrews and the writer of the Kings both tell us that the altar's proximity to the Most Holy spoke of its function; and its place of belonging. Verses 11-16 describe the census tax to be paid by every redeemed Israelite - half a shekel of silver. The vital lesson stated that the poor shall not give less; nor the rich were not to give more. We are equal in the sight of the LORD; and wealth is neither a help, nor an impediment. All people equally need Yahweh's redemption. Verses 17-21 describe the bronze laver, signifying the need of baptism - or the cleansing from sin - of would be worshippers of the Almighty. The 22nd to the 38th verses speak of the fabrication of the anointing oil and the incense. That oil was to only be used in the anointing to his office of a prophet, priest, or king. And the incense oil was for offering exclusively upon the altar of incense. This tells us that the Father has laid down the conditions for acceptable worship. The penalty for disobedience was death. Psalm 87 is another from the pen of the sons of Korah. It is an aspirational Psalm which must motivate every true believer. People boast in their place of birth. Our place of birth means nothing to our God, unless we have spiritually been born in Zion - the new Jerusalem of the kingdom age - see Galatians 4 verse 21-31 (ponder the implications for each of us). Psalm 88 is an engraved Maschil, for the reader's instruction, from the sons of Korah. The superscription of this Psalm tells us that it was for the attention of Heman, the choirmaster. The Psalm is a plea for the help of the LORD in a time of trouble. Verses 3-9 describe the depths of despair that the writer felt. He knew nowhere to turn to for his deliverance. But, verses 10-11 say that in the Almighty he found the strength to cope; because of Yahweh's never falling steadfast love. Verses 12-18 speak of his desire that his Sovereign would ultimately save after he had borne the LORD's chastisement. Mark 15 records Jesus' trial before Pilate and includes events up to and including our Lord's crucifixion. The record of Mark 15, as it recorded Jesus' trial before Pilate, till his crucifixion and burial is brief indeed. From the other gospel records we learn that there were 6 sham trials in all - three before Jewish authorities and three before the Gentiles. Mark 14 recorded one of the Jewish trials and chapter 15 one of the Gentile trials - before Pilate. Pilate was amazed by our Master's calm resignation to the event. He tried to have Jesus acquitted by allowing his soldiers to brutally mistreat him, in the mistaken hope that the Jewish leaders would show some pity. Our Lord was so weak that on his way to Calvary it was necessary to press Simon of Cyrene to bare Jesus' cross. That man and his two sons later became disciples. While on the cross our captain was mocked and taunted, but triumphed over them in himself. He expired on the tree at the 9th hour, precisely at the time the Passover lambs were slain. A hardened Roman centurion on witnessing Jesus' behaviour exclaimed that certainly this man was the Son of God. In fulfilment of Isaiah 53 he was buried in the tomb of a rich man, who had become his disciple, Joseph of Arimathea. Mark 16 records the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, who had lain unconscious in the sepulchre for 3 days and 3 nights. Jesus rose from the dead after 6pm on the Saturday evening. This according to Jewish reckoning of time was the first day of the week. The women, whom Mark names, on their second visit to the tomb in the matter of a few hours were told by angels that the Lord had risen and that they were to go to the Apostles and tell them to meet Jesus in Galilee. The Lord had previously told them to do this. Verses 9-11 inform us that Mary Magdalene was the first person to see the risen Christ. The Apostles doubted her witnessing of Jesus. Verses 12-13 tell of his appearance to another two disciples - most likely the two on the road to Emmaus, as recorded by Luke in chapter 24 from verse 19-35. Verses 14 to the chapter's end tell of our Lord's great commission to his Apostles commanding them to take the message to the world. And declaring that salvation would be conditional on belief of the gospel (defined in Acts 8 verse12; as the things of the kingdom and the things of the name); and being baptised ie totally immersed beneath water. The power of God would accompany and to support the preaching by the demonstration of miraculous signs. Penned by Warwick Rosser and his team, produced by Christadelphianvideo.org See more Thoughts from the Christadelphian Dialy Bible Reading Planner (By R.Roberts) here... https://christadelphianvideo.org/thoughts-on-the-readings-for-february-19th-exodus-30-psalms-87-88-mark-15-16/?feed_id=85361&_unique_id=67b4496cd3a39