The Family Bible Journey Podcast

The religious leaders accused Jesus of casting out demons by the prince of demons. Jesus responded by warning them that if they rejected the Spirit of God, they would be rejecting God. He then turned to His crowd of followers and invited all who listened, not only to be His followers, but into His family.

On the day of Atonement, a scapegoat carried the sins of the people into Gehenna, the Valley of Hell. Here, "Go to Hell," and "Take out the trash," come together as a poignent illustration of the Lord's forgiveness.

The laws regarding bodily discharges are not just "ewwy" and "gross." God instituted them for the protection of His people. Here we see how God knew, thousands of years before humans discovered the relationship between microbes and disease, how to protect His people from preventable, comunicable disease.

While Jesus's popularity rises among the people, his opponents take issue with His unorthodox ways. In their opinion, He did things the wrong things in the wrong places, in the wrong ways, for the wrong sorts of people. But He would not be detered by His opponents as His following grew and His disciples joined in His work.

Leprosy was a physical, social and religious death sentence for many in Old Testament times. God established a religious quarantine to protect the community from the spread of disease. He also provided a way back into community if the leprosy was healed. This way, He balanced care for the community and care for individuals who had incurable disease.

In the Purification of mothers, we see two promises fulfilled by Jesus, or shall we say, fulfilled for Jesus by His parents. There is great blessing for God's people when they walk in His way, even when they don't understand it, as the dietary laws of Israel demonstrate.

In choosing to party with "sinners," Jesus showed there may be more hope for corrupt politicians and extortioners than some in the religious establishment. When Jesus was confronted by the religious establishment about forgiving sins, even though His mighty acts over the dark spiritual forces in the world verified His authority, they refused to accept Him. 

Aaron's two eldest sons were consumed by fire from the altar when they did not do as the Lord commanded. This is a warning to all who serve in the Church as pastors and priests. When they stumble, many fall. Given the higher bar for those called to serve in the Church, we pray for them and those led astray by their misdeeds.

Aaron and his sons were ordained and consecrated for service in the Tabernacle. They were made bloody by the sacrifices of their oridnation, just as Jesus was bloodied on the cross. Their offering was accepted by God in a supernatural way, just as Jesus was accepted by the Father as attested by His resurrection. We thank God for faithful servants, who point us to Christ, the fulfillment of the Priestly Office.

Mark focuses us on God enlighting our darkness. The dark forces at work in the world seem to win sometimes. But we know that even when it seems God is slow to answer our prayers, He is working to deliver us in the time and the way He knows best.

The priests were told to never let the fire on the altar go out. It symbolized both God's wrath and His mercy. Here we see another earthly representation of the eternal reality in heaven. As Isaiah the prophet would learn in Isaiah chapter six, in heaven, the altar in heaven continually burns as a reminder of God's wrath and mercy.

The sin offering was different because female lambs were offered for this offering. Cute and innocent, they paid the ultimate price for someone else's sin. Here we are given opportunity to reflect on the pain our sin causes others and the forgiveness we have in Christ.

Mark's gospel is short, sweet and to the point! We see Jesus winning the victory over the dark spiritual forces of the world. This is good news for us, especially when it seems God is slow in answering our prayers.

The Old Testament sacrifices were bloody and personal. The act of laying one's hand on the head of the sacrificial animal as it was slain was a personal connection. We will be introduced to a small flock of goats to feel a small measure of this powerful connection.

We consider how the grain offering was a literal first-fruits offering to the Lord. When God's people gave a portion of their grain, their sustenance, they were trusting God with their livelihood. When we give, we give God opportunity to bless us, just as we bless Him with our gifts.

We begin Leviticus by learning how the principles that undergirded the Old Testament sacrifices still apply to God's people today. We also consider three different types of law found in Leviticus and learn to distinguish which apply and which don't apply today.

Exodus ends on a high note. The presence of God, which overshadowed His people in the pillar came to rest on the Tabernacle. The God Who had led them on their journey now promised to dwell among them. We consider the blessings of His presence that overshadow us in our journey.

When Jesus died, darkness covered the earth, the curtain in the Temple that divided God's presence from men was torn and the dead were raised. At these events, the Centurion declared Jesus to be the very Son of God. We too praise Him for finishing the work of our salvation for us. He was laid in the tomb, sanctifying death as our way to the Father.