One Year Bible, Sunday, February 13th

 Click Here to Listen to the Readings

Exodus 35:10 - 36:38

1. We continue to see all the details of the tabernacele and how at Moses instruction the Israelites continued to obey God's commands. Importantly the people gave offerings for the supplies to build the temple. And even more importantly was their motive for giving, 

"All whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were moved came and brought their sacred offerings to the Lord." Verse 21

2. Again we see how God gifted each person to help.  God specifically chose Bezalel, son of Uri. 

 "The Lord has filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts." verse 31

This is one of the few times the "Holy Spirit" was given to a person in the Old Testament. In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit came upon specifice people for specific tasks. In the New Testament the same Holy Spirit will be given to all believers at Pentecost. 

3. As each person gave as they were moved, we see there was more than enough to build the tabernacle. 

 "They went to Moses and reported, “The people have given more than enough materials to complete the job the Lord has commanded us to do!”36:5

When people are moved by the Spirit in obedience to God's command, there will not only be enough to get done what God wants done, there will be plenty leftover. 

Matthew 27:32-66

1. As they meet Simon, the Cyrene, a relatively obscoure figure, he is forced to carry Jesus' cross.  In contrast Jesus calls us to pick up our cross.  No one is going to force you to carry the cross of Christ, but Jesus invites you to do it as his follower.

2. As Jesus journeyed to the cross, the offering him a drink which had wine in it. We can only imagine how thirsty he was. But when he tasted it, he realized there was wine it that might deaden the pain of his crucifixion, so he refused it. Not only did Jesus not shy away from being crucified on the cross for us, he experienced all the pain of separation from God and the pain of the crucifixion for us. 

3. If you ever wondered if Jesus was truly human and felt separation from God listen to these words, 

"About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

Just before this Jesus had prayed for the cup of suffering to be taken him, yet he willingly went forward to die for our sin. His words "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me is a reflection of Psalm 22 in the Old Testament, another prophecy Matthew points out signalling Jesus was the Messiah. 

"What Now" Study Questions:

God calls for those skilled in construction to participate in the process of constructing the tabernacle. The community of God needs all the skills, talents and abilities that He has provided for the Body. How are you using your skills and talents for the Kingdom?

It is important to remember that even though Pilate and the Jewish leaders seem to play powerful roles, their roles were directed by the All-Knowing Author! Ask God to remind you of His activity in the world when things seem out of control?

Psalm 34:1-10

Proverbs 9:7-8

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