Today Daily Devotional

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Paying Off a Debt
“One of their relatives may redeem them: An uncle or a cousin or any blood relative in their clan may redeem them.” — Leviticus 25:48-49 A friend asked, “Why can’t God just forgive our sins without the cross?” Why did Jesus have to suffer and give up his life for us? The answer is in today’s reading. When a family’s crop failed for years in a row, they might have to sell property, or even a family member, to satisfy debts that could pile up (Leviticus 25:23-55). Fortunately God’s law allowed other family members to pay off their debts, releasing them from their obligations.These laws show how we can owe a debt that we cannot repay. If someone hurts me, either I will try to make them pay by inflicting harm on them, or else I will pay by absorbing the cost. Likewise, when we violate God’s law, we create a debt that someone must pay, and either we or God will have to pay it. Jesus explains this in Mark 10:45 when he says, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus not only pays our ransom; he becomes the ransom. His suffering and death are the payment for our debt!This means we are now free! Years ago, a young family was buried under crippling debt—medical bills, unexpected car repairs, a mortgage, and student loans. When a charitable organization paid off their debt, their entire present and future changed! In comparison, Jesus has done so much more—saving all who believe in him to live with him forever! Lord Jesus, we are eternally thankful for all you have done for us. May we live faithfully in the freedom you have won for us. Amen.
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Freedom!
“Follow my decrees and be careful to obey my laws, and you will live safely in the land.” — Leviticus 25:18 Homelessness is a growing problem in my city, and the causes are many: poverty, addiction, mental illness, poor personal choices, and more. All of these can be tied to the cosmic problem of sin—the effects of sin leech into every nook of society, wreaking social, psychological, and spiritual havoc everywhere.This was also the case in ancient Israel. Generational debt could cripple a family, forcing them to sell long-held family land, or even forcing a family into a kind of slavery. But then every 50 years, the trumpet would sound, and social and economic burdens would be rolled back. During the year of Jubilee, land debts were erased, property was restored, and the people were to rest from their labors, trusting in God to provide everything they needed. Does this sound idealistic? In a way, it was.There is no record in the Bible that Israel ever celebrated the Year of Jubilee. The law commanded it, and prophets proclaimed it, but the people may never have enjoyed the blessings of this great gift from God.When Jesus began his ministry, he read from Isaiah 61 and declared a new Jubilee. His work on the cross would deal with the problems of our world at the deepest level—he would pay the penalty for sin and destroy the devil’s work in this world. Because of Jesus and his life, death, and resurrection, Jubilee is possible—and one day, when he returns, it will be realized fully for all who trust in him! Lord Jesus, thank you for all you have done to free us from sin. Help us to live in the hope of your Jubilee. Amen.
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An Eye for an Eye
“I tell you, do not resist an evil person.” — Matthew 5:39 Have you ever wanted revenge? Maybe a colleague stole credit for your hard work, or you were blamed for someone else’s wrongdoing. Or if someone hurt you with their words or actions, it’s natural to want to even the score. We rarely stop there, however; usually we want revenge plus interest. This can lead to a vicious cycle that can tear apart families, fracture communities, and even destroy nations.Today’s passage in Leviticus applies the law from the story we read yesterday, and it reminds us of two things. First, all who are part of God’s covenant people are bound by the requirements of the covenant, whether they were born into God’s people or not. Justice applies to everyone. And, second, God’s law limits what we may seek from people who have wronged us: “an eye for an eye” (and no more). For example, if you injure or kill your neighbor’s animal, they may take one of your animals from you, but not two. Justice, properly practiced, has limits.Jesus, however, challenges us further—to extend kindness even to people who have hurt us. In fact, that’s what God has done for us! Rather than treat us as our sins deserve by demanding our life from us, the Lord extends mercy to us in Christ, who gave up his own life for our sake. When we see how God has gone the extra mile to show us mercy, we can “turn . . . the other cheek” to people who have wronged us. Gracious God, though we have sinned, you have answered with mercy, and we are eternally thankful. Help us to live by your way of mercy toward everyone. In Jesus, Amen.
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What’s in a Name?
“Anyone who blasphemes the name of the Lord is to be put to death.” — Leviticus 24:16 This is a difficult story. Two men get into a fight. Tempers flare, and shouting erupts. One of the men invokes God’s name as a curse, clearly defying God’s command not to blaspheme the Lord. What should be done?God’s name is not for our casual use to express shock or anger or amusement. It’s not something we can invoke to support our favorite political or social causes. Of course, we also should be careful about flippantly saying “God told me this or that.”The way we handle God’s name shapes the way we view God’s character. If we treat God’s name as a punchline, we will not take God seriously. If we invoke God’s name to prop up our political or social positions, God becomes little more than a good luck charm. But when we use God’s name with reverence and awe, we will find that we honor God—as the Lord deserves. The man in this story failed to see that, and although it’s difficult to imagine, he paid the ultimate penalty for his sin.Many years later, Jesus was (wrongly) accused of blasphemy and was eventually put to death. But what good news for us! Jesus was condemned so that all of our misuse of God’s name—every way in which we dishonor God by our words and actions—would be forgiven. Now God graciously entrusts his name to us so that we may call upon it for salvation! Lord Jesus, help us to honor the sanctity of your name in the way we speak and live. May we only use your name to glorify you. Amen.
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Food That Satisfies
“Take the finest flour and bake twelve loaves of bread. . . . Arrange them . . . on the table of pure gold before the Lord.” — Leviticus 24:5-6 In the tabernacle there is a table stacked with 12 loaves of bread, representing all of God’s people. The table and the utensils on it are made of pure gold. Since the tabernacle was the place to enjoy fellowship with God, it made sense that there would be a place to sit and eat! But what would God feed his people?In the Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis uses food to show how we often hunger for things that cannot satisfy. Young Edmund is swayed to follow an evil witch who promises to give him Turkish delight—only to learn that candy cannot really satisfy him. Many of us hunger for “food” that cannot nourish our souls. We chase after wealth, career success, athletic trophies, and social status, hoping to satisfy the longing in our souls. But these are all just stale bites that leave us hungry.The bread in the tabernacle is meant to remind us that, just as God nourished Israel with bread and meat in the wilderness (Exodus 16), he will continue to nourish us. The bread God gives us is himself! Jesus had this in mind when he declared, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35)! Looking to Jesus in faith is to feed on him, and he nourishes us in ways that no earthly “food” ever can. In Jesus, we are drawn into fellowship with the God who loves us more than anything, who promises never to leave us, and who removes our sin from us once and for all! That is food that can satisfy. Father, thank you for filling us with the true bread that can satisfy the longing in our souls. Nourish us each day, we pray. In Christ, Amen.
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