Thoughts on the readings for March 13th (Leviticus 21, Psalms 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, Luke 4)

Leviticus chapters 21,22 describe laws in relation to the Priesthood. Verses 1,6 tell us that the High Priest, because he represents the LORD, was not to mourn the death of any friend (or relatives) except for his immediate family.
Verses 7 and 8 tell us that the priests were limited in their choice of a marriage partner. Verse 9 spoke of the holiness that was needed amongst the priest’s family. Verses 10-12 teach us of the holiness to be observed by the High Priest. This was to be an example to Israel, the priestly nation (Exodus 19 verses 5-6). And to us also, as Peter explains in
1 Peter 2verses 5 to10). AM Verses 13 to15 describe the holiness of the High Priest, with regard to the sanctity of marriage. Since the Levitical priests were Yahweh’s ministers and representatives there was the requirement of physical perfection (verses 16 to 24.

Psalms 120 to134 were placed by Hezekiah into the Psalms as a group and referred to as,
“The Songs of Degrees”. They celebrate the 15 years extension of life granted to king Hezekiah by his Sovereign, after his recovery from leprosy.
Psalm 120 is described as a Psalm of ascents in celebration of deliverance. King Hezekiah was sick unto death and his city of Jerusalem surrounded by a massive Assyrian army. Both dilemmas were unsolvable, yet Yahweh granted salvation for King Hezekiah, as an individual, and to the entire nation. The blasphemy of the treacherous Rabshakeh is spoken of in v3.
Psalm 121 tells us that Jerusalem’s safety came not from any foreign army, but rather from the Almighty Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 122 is a Psalm of joy and thanksgiving following Hezekiah’s miraculous healing and the deliverance of his people. With great joy the king led the people to the Temple where they worshipped with praise and thankfulness.
Psalm 123 speaks of the diligence with which the faithful looked to Yahweh their Master, who saved them from destruction.
Psalm 124 recounts the impossible situation of Israel. And yet the might of the universe, the Creator of heaven and earth exercised His awesome power in saving them.

In Luke 4 we have the account of Jesus in his home town of Nazareth. Before this we read of our Lord Jesus Christ returning triumphant from his three-fold temptation in the Judean wilderness. Jesus was, as Hebrews 4:15 tells us, tempted in all points as we are BUT without sin. These three points of temptation are: 1) the lust of the flesh; 2) the lust of the eyes; and, 3) the pride of life (see 1 John 2 verses 15 to 17). But our Lord overcame by the Word of God (Revelation 19 verses 11to16). All of Jesus’ rebuttals of his temptation come from the book of Deuteronomy chapters 6 and 8. Verse 14 tells us that Christ’s ministry begins in the power of the spirit of God. To Galilee Jesus goes to fulfil the prophecy of Isaiah 9 verses 1 to 7. On the Sabbath day in Nazareth Christ begins to preach starting with Isaiah 61 and reading the first one and a half verses; finishing with the words “to preach the acceptable year of the LORD”. Then our Lord closed the scroll and sat with his announcement that those words were fulfilled that day. On being invited to speak he tells them that they will not accept Jesus. Just as he had been rejected in Capernaum (his adopted home). Jesus says that since no prophet has ever been accepted among his own people. For that reason, our Lord declares, Elijah’s and Elisha’s missions were with those Gentiles to whom those prophets were sent by God. The citizens of Nazareth then attempt to kill Jesus intending to cast him from the Precipice. But Jesus uses the power of the spirit to pass safely through their midst. It was just as he reveals in John 7 verse 34, “where I am you cannot come”. In the synagogue Jesus cures a man with a sick mind. Next, whilst our Lord, is in Capernaum he cures Simon Peter’s mother-in-law. Many other cures follow and our Lord’s preaching continues throughout Galilee. If we follow Luke’s account other than the few events recorded at the beginning, and the time of his crucifixion, we would think that Jesus didn’t go to Judea. The reason for this was, largely, Christ’s acceptance in Galilee and his rejection in Judea.