Hey friends, This week, it was powerful to walk and pray with Jesus through the final days approaching the cross. It was deeply affecting to experience with him his betrayal, denial, complete abandonment by his closest friends. The confession of the centurion at the cross! The steadfastness of the women watching his death, worshiping him in his burial, and witnessing the empty tomb of his resurrection! I don’t know about you, but I also really needed Psalms 33-37 this week. They spoke to me deeply of what we see evil people doing, what God does, and what we as followers of Jesus are called to do. Evil doesn’t age well. It withers and dies. Steadfast love expands and outlasts! Do not fret. Do not fret. Do not fret. Do good and live generously. Nerdy detail that jumped out with this reading plan: Nahshon and Amminadab of the tribe of Judah! They are named in Jesus’ genealogy (Matthew 1) and described chiefs of their tribe, who camp facing east toward the sunrise (Numbers 1) and who lead the way for the whole company of Israel in offering sacrifices (Numbers 7). Did you notice echoes of Eden in the Israelite camp? The Levites “guard/keep” and “serve/minister/worship” at the tabernacle & tent of meeting. They are taking after Adam (and Eve), the original priests in the garden who were put there to serve and keep it (Genesis 2:15). Jesus quotes Leviticus! There are precisely 3 times in the whole Torah (first five books of the Bible) where you find the words “and you shall love…” Deuteronomy 6:5, Leviticus 19:18 & (19:34) Jesus doesn’t extensively quote the legal code or the sacrificial requirements, but he does quote these verses on “love” and says remarkably and memorably that it is the “Greatest Commandment”, that “On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets,” “There is no other commandment greater than these” and “do these things and you will live!” (Matthew 22:40, Mark 12:31, Luke 10:28) In other words if we want to know and follow Jesus, love is essential and inescapable. I pray you are stirred up to wrestle with what it looks like in your life to love God with all you have and are and to love your neighbor (including immigrants in our land!) as yourself. What does love require of you and me in these times? There’s more I could say, but that’s maybe enough for today. Except my “show me Jesus” notes below. And to bless you on this Bible reading journey and in your lives as everyday missionaries, representatives of Jesus to the people in your world. “The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Peace in Christ, Karl “Show Me Jesus” NEW TESTAMENT: Mark 13 Jesus, good news to all nations, savior, Son of Man, eternal word, Son of the Father, Son of God Mark 14 Jesus, anointed for burial, betrayed, Passover lamb, body/blood & bread/wine, will be raised and go to Galilee, denied/disowned, praying/pleading with the Father, Son of Man, Rabbi, arrested, abandoned, beaten, wrongfully accused, innocent, destroy the temple and raise it in 3 days, Christ, Son of the Blessed, the Nazarene, Jesus Mark 15 Jesus, King of the Jews, crucified, Christ, King of Israel, saving others but not himself, dying, Son of God, buried Mark 16 Jesus of Nazareth, crucified, risen, not here, going to Galilee, sending disciples to share good news Matthew 1 Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham, king, from the Holy Spirit, saving his people from their sins, Immanuel, God with us PSALMS: Psalm 33 Jesus, righteous and upright worshiper Psalm 34 Jesus, redeemer and refuge Psalm 35 Jesus, my salvation, my God and my Lord Psalm 36 Jesus, precious and protective steadfast love Psalm 37 Jesus, generous, blessing the meek and humble OLD TESTAMENT: Leviticus 19-21 Jesus, the Lord your God, holy, love your neighbor as yourself, treat the stranger as a native and love him as yourself, the one who brought you out of Egypt Leviticus 22-24 Jesus, the Lord your God, holy name, the acceptable offering/sacrifice, Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus the Bread of Life, Jesus the Passover lamb, the feasts, providing for the poor and stranger, the Day of Atonement, the dwelling place, the eternal word, the light of the world Leviticus 25-27 Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus bringer of Eternal Jubilee, the Lord your God, holy, providing for the poor and stranger, Jesus, who brought us out of Egypt, who dwells among his people, God with us, Jesus, breaking the bar of oppression, giving rest to people and land, remembering his covenant; Jesus, the offering, holy gift to the Lord, Redeemer Numbers 1-3 Jesus, tabernacle, tent of meeting, tribe of Judah facing east toward sunrise, Nahshon, Amminadab, priest/Levite guarding/keeping, serving/ministering, the firstborn, redemption price/money Numbers 4-7 Jesus, tabernacle, tent of meeting, priest/Levite, serving, guarding, covering for guilt, breaker of the curse, Jesus the blessing, tribe of Judah leading the way offering the first day, Nahshon & Amminadab, Jesus, voice of God