Today´s reading:
OT: Judges 13-14
NT: John 1:29-51
Ps: Psalm 102
Pr: Proverbs 14:15-16
Gospel Thread - OT:
4 Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean, 5 because you will conceive and give birth to a son. No razor may be used on his head, because the boy is to be a Nazirite, set apart to God from birth, and he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hands of the Philistines.
Judges 13:4-5 (NIV)
One of the most notable and important aspects of the story of Samson is that he was set apart to God in order to fulfill God's purpose for his life. God decreed that Samson was to be a Nazirite (Numbers 6:1-21) from the moment of conception; that is, he was to be set apart as "holy unto the Lord."
In fact, the concept of "setting apart" is foundational to God's intent for His people: repeatedly in His enumeration of the Law to the Israelites, God states, "Be Holy, for the Lord your God is Holy". Holiness - the state of being set apart from sin - is both God's intent and desire for mankind and also the ultimate purpose of God's plan of redemption. It is holiness to which we are called, and holiness to which we are to aspire.
Gospel Thread - NT:
Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
John 1:45 (NIV)
The Israelites understood the Old Testament scriptures - both the Law and the Prophets - to refer to the Messiah Who was to come. (Note that the purpose of this Messiah is found in verse 29 of this chapter: to take away the sin of the world.)
He then added, "I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
John 1:51 (NIV)
Jesus here is alluding to Jacob's Ladder (Genesis 28:11-13), and in so doing is implying that He is the means by which one ascends and descends between heaven and earth. Jesus will later make a more explicit statement that He is the only way through which to access the Father in heaven (John 14:6).
Gospel Thread - Psalms/Proverbs:
No direct gospel reference in today's Psalms/Proverbs reading.
The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.
