Exodus 28-31; Acts 1

There’s a lot of description about the priests’ garments. Skill and care went into making them.

² And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. ³ You shall speak to all the skillful, whom I have filled with a spirit of skill, that they make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him for my priesthood.

Exodus28:2-3, ESV

I love that God filled them with a spirit of skill. I love that he had specifications of how things should be made. I love that in the colors and gems and details, he lists the names.

⁹ You shall take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel, ¹⁰ six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the remaining six on the other stone, in the order of their birth. ¹¹ As a jeweler engraves signets, so shall you engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of Israel. You shall enclose them in settings of gold filigree. ¹² And you shall set the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, as stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel. And Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord on his two shoulders for remembrance.

Exodus 28:9-12, ESV

²⁹ So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment on his heart, when he goes into the Holy Place, to bring them to regular remembrance before the Lord. ³⁰ And in the breastpiece of judgment you shall put the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be on Aaron’s heart, when he goes in before the Lord. Thus Aaron shall bear the judgment of the people of Israel on his heart before the Lord regularly.

Exodus 28:29-30, ESV

From the detail of the garments, the sacrifices offered, the anointing of the priests–a way of setting things apart, a holiness. Even the names of the sons of Israel. Each act and detail meaningful. But the names–being known by the Lord.

Known by the Lord.

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, ² until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. ³ He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

Acts 1:1-3, ESV

Chosen.

²¹ So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, ²² beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” ²³ And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. ²⁴ And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen ²⁵ to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”

Acts 1:21-25, ESV

This is a precious pause in my day–to consider his vast love, his intentional creativity, and that in the details he includes names, he knows hearts. He chooses and equips people to glorify him.

Lord, you show me that you’re in the details and that nothing is overlooked. Thank you for your Word.

Courtney (66books365)

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Mark 8:1-10:12

I have experienced personal physical healing in my life, I have seen healing take place when I have prayed at least on one occasion and I have prayed a thousand prayers for healing that I never saw take place. I am fairly certain that the gift of faith, healing or miracles are not for me. I am fascinated though with how Jesus demonstrates so much wonder when He heals, He is so personal, so life-changing.

They arrived at Bethsaida. Some people brought a sightless man and begged Jesus to give him a healing touch. Taking him by the hand, he led him out of the village. He put spit in the man’s eyes, laid hands on him, and asked, “Do you see anything?”

He looked up. “I see men. They look like walking trees.” So Jesus laid hands on his eyes again. The man looked hard and realized that he had recovered perfect sight, saw everything in bright, twenty-twenty focus. – Mark 8:22-25 MSG

I have read many times how Jesus rebukes weakness of faith and how He honours faith. Here are some takeaways that I want to follow in my life.

• I love how the blind man is willing to allow Jesus to lead him – I mean it was a walk out of the village. I need to give my life to Jesus and let Him lead me – it can only mean good things
• People asked for sight and Jesus gave it. I need to keep going with my praying faith believing full well that Jesus can keep pace with it
• The confidence of the people and the blind man, whatever their expectations were, received. I want to give my confidence to Jesus knowing that I will receive what I need as opposed to what I want.
• The healing is always perfect and the method is always creative. I cannot forget that I will receive perfect gifts to my imperfect faith.

It is my faith that honours Jesus, and therefore Jesus will honour it. I know that even though my prayers may not have seen healing, the fact that I prayed in faith means that I was not dishonouring Him. I cannot tell Jesus how, why and when. Jesus will heal and I know that He will because I believe in Him. He knows the best method and I trust Him without reservation.

Father, forgive me when there are moments of doubts of my own relationship with You because a prayer of faith produced no results when it comes to healing. Thank You that You have given me the opportunity of praying for so many and I know that somewhere in their lives You were present because of that prayer. I look forward to continuing to pray for others to be healed and trust You to be the one who knows the how, why and when.

Erwin (evanlaar1922)