April 1, Reading 1 – Leviticus 8

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Aaron and his sons were anointed with oil and blood. They were the first anointed (Messiahs) in the Bible. Their mediatorial work came first before David was anointed as King centuries later. So, too Christ’s mediatorial work came first before He comes again to reign! Do you see testimony to Jesus!

SJA Notes

* Dear God. You are God. We are Your people. Thank You for saving us. Please teach us today.

“And he set the turban on his head, and on the turban, in front, he set the golden plate, the holy crown, …”

It is of interest to us in this passage that a priest would have a crown. It seems a strange thing, as mostly we think of kings have crowns.

A crown is a symbol of authority, of rule and right.

In this passage we have a priestly crown.

Back in Exodus ch 29 we read,

“And you shall set the turban on his head and put the holy crown on the turban.”

Moses was following the command as God had laid down.

God’s order, in the structures He put in place for His people, was for the high priest to have a crown. Long before Israel bucked against God and requested a king.

Once they did get a king who had a crown of authority the high priest retained his crown.

How good is it then to think about Jesus, who is both our Righteous King (see Jeremiah 23, 1 Timothy 6, Revelation 19) and our great High Priest (Psalm 110, Zechariah 6, Hebrews 4, 5 and basically all of Hebrews).

He wears both crowns!

* Gracious God,

Thank You for Jesus, our king and high priest – Who has all authority and power. He is the final and complete fulfilment of both the kingly and priestly crowns.

Please help us know You better today, that we might grow in godliness.

Thank You that it is You who continue to build Your church.

Amen.

April 1, Reading 2 – Psalm 108

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

A steadfast heart is one of God’s great blessings. We often need one in life. David finds grounds for steadfastness in God’s love and faithfulness, in His being active within history, not quiescent. What a resounding conclusion: with God we shall gain the victory!

SJA Notes

* Saviour God, we will give thanks to You among the people and sing praises to You among the nations.

“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!”

Sometimes we can find it hard to know how to praise God, how to put together words of adoration and praise.

This psalm is an example, while being wrapped up wrestling with God’s seeming absence, an example of how to bring praise to God.

“For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.”

How do we praise God?

We remember Him! Remember who He is, remember what He has done.

How do we know these things He has done?

We read His word! God’s word has everything in it necessary and important for us. It is His revelation of Himself.

We know how to praise God, how to bring Him worship and adoration, how to put together words that honor Him – We know how to do these things because His word tells us how to!

* Holy God,

Thank You that Your steadfast love is great above the heavens.

Thank You that Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!

Let Your glory be over all the earth!

Amen.

April 1, Reading 3 – Mark 2:1-22

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Here is a famous incident of the paralytic with four friends. Notice that verse 10 informs us that Jesus HAS AUTHORITY to forgive sins! That’s in today’s world too! Jesus follows this up with another demonstration of His authority to forgive sins – with Matthew (or Levi as he was called).

SJA Notes

* Dear God, please teach us from Your word to us today, help us to know You better.

“Follow me.”

Jesus called people to follow Him.

Our Lord Jesus, the Good Shepherd, He says this to us, “Follow me.”!

To walk with Him, to listen to His voice, to do what He tells us, to love and serve Him all our days.

Levi rose and followed Jesus. Following takes action. Daily obedient active trust.

Our King has called us, the true shepherd of God’s sheep.

May our lives be marked with true worship, true service, heart-felt desire for His word.

* Gracious Lord,

Please show us Jesus today. Help us be His disciples in spirit and in truth.

May we follow Him all the days of our lives.

Amen.