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May 21

Scripture for today: 1 Samuel 29:1-31:13; John 11:55-12:19; Psalm 118:1-18; Proverbs 15:24-26

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“It was now almost time for the Jewish Passover celebration, and many people from all over the country arrived in Jerusalem several days early so they could go through the purification ceremony before Passover began” (John 11:55 NLT).

From: May 21, 2018

NO FURTHER NEED FOR RITUAL PURIFICATION
Over 100 purification pools or “mikvehs” have been discovered in the ruins surrounding the Temple Mount. The Jewish pilgrims who came from all over the Roman Empire for Passover would arrive early to bathe in one of these mikvehs, cleansing themselves and putting on clean clothes before entering the Temple. Yet, the Passover week that John wrote of would change everything. For by the end of that week, Jesus would offer His blood for the purification of sin to all those who would believe.
 
As we read in the book of Hebrews, “Dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water” (Heb. 10:19-22).
 
There is no further need of ritual cleansing. Jesus is our spiritual mikveh.

‘”Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, Sitting on a donkey’s colt.” His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him’ (John 12:15-16 NKJV).

From: May 21, 2017

When John reflected back on the Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the Spirit brought to his mind this Messianic prophecy from Zechariah concerning how the Lord would come to Zion. The name “Zion” (or “Sion”) is a synonym for Jerusalem. And Jesus entered Jerusalem, “sitting on a donkey’s colt,” just as it was prophesied.
 
John and the other disciples “did not understand these things at first.” The Old Testament prophecies fulfilled by Christ weren’t in the disciples minds in the moment of His ministry with them. But after Jesus was raised from the dead and glorified, the disciples began to understand how all that He had done was in fulfillment of the Word of God.
 
Remember how the risen Christ taught the disciples on the road to Emmaus? “And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27). Jesus opened their eyes to the truth of His purpose in fulfillment of the Father’s Word.
 
The Spirit of Christ is ready to teach us too concerning the ministry of Jesus, if only we will have ears to hear.

“But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God” (1 Samuel 30:6 NKJV)

From: May 21, 2015

When David and his 600 men returned to their town of Ziklag, they found it burning and their families taken captive by the Amalekites. They were so distraught that they spoke of stoning David. What do you do in times of trial or when others turn against you? Where do you turn for help? David turned to the Lord. He knew how to encourage himself in God. Do you know this spiritual discipline? Instead of medicating the pain or commiserating with others, David sought help from the Lord and found it.

“You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me” (John 12:8 NLT)

From: May 21, 2014

This was Jesus’ reply to Judas when he accused Mary of wasting an expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet that could have been sold to help the poor. Judas sounded pious as he judged Mary’s offering as wasteful. Yet, Jesus knew their hearts. He accepted Mary’s offering as appropriate worship from a pure heart. But he rebuked Judas knowing his was the heart of a thief and a betrayer. Jesus commented that the poor would “always” be around, but that this opportunity to worship Jesus would not. Poverty is the result of sin in this world. No amount of money can completely eradicate poverty. Yet, no one who has received the treasure of God’s Son can ever be poor again.

“But David found strength in the LORD his God” (1 Samuel 30:6)

From: May 21, 2011

In the KJV this same verse reads, “But David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” When everyone around you is discouraged and things look bleak, do you know how to do this? There is strength and encouragement to be found in God alone during these times. Seek Him.