The Bible in 2020

Today’s reading

Leviticus 24-25; Mark 1:23-45

Selected Verses

For it is to me that the people of Israel are servants. They are my servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 25:55

And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons. Mark 1:38-39

Reflections

Provision was made in the law for those who had fallen on hard times and had to sell themselves as servants. The Israelites were God’s people. They belonged to Him and could not belong to anyone else, at least not permanently. The law encouraged people to pay a ransom for their enslaved relatives. If there was no one to do this, servants were to be freed automatically at the year of jubilee.

So too, Jesus went throughout Galilee preaching and casting out demons, redeeming people not from physical slavery but from spiritual bondage to Satan and sin. The people heard of Jesus’ power. Crowds sought Him. The demands on His time increased. What did He do? He went out before daybreak to pray. His disciples found Him and told Him how the crowds were looking for Him. But Jesus had other plans. He and the disciples moved on to the other towns in Galilee.

In reading this passage in Mark’s gospel, it seems clear that Jesus lived purposefully each day without anxiety or confusion. He was not controlled by the many needs around Him. Instead, through prayer He sought the Father’s guidance for His day.

Jesus Christ’s redemption of lost souls was pictured in the redemption of Old Testament slaves. Just as the latter needed someone to free them from physical slavery, so the former did and do need Someone to free them from spiritual bondage.

Think about it

Jesus said, “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15). Our Savior proclaims freedom from sin to all who repent and believe. Trust in Him and be free. In Him there is true freedom to be His servant, but not only His servant but His friend. He redeems us to be His friends.

© 2017 John A Carroll Used by permission

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