Day 28 – Exodus 30-32; Luke 17-19

Old Testament reading: Exodus 30-32

The ground is level at the foot of the cross. In Exodus 30 we see the annual monetary offering required of everyone over the age of 20. Of this ransom paid, God commanded, “the rich shall not give more and the poor shall not gives less than half a shekel” (v 15). There are a number of important pictures here. First, everyone is equally overtaken in sin and in need of ransom. No one is immune or exempt from the justice of God. Second, the quality of the price paid also testifies to the common payment for sins and transgression. Third, every soul was considered as equally valued in God’s eyes. Finally, the payment of the ransom brought deliverance from Divine retribution, in this case identified as a plague. The picture of Christ and His sacrifice is clearly seen in this Old Testament shadow. All men stand equally condemned as sinners, for “there is not a just man on the earth who does good and does not sin” (Ecc 7:20), and “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23). The only remedy for sin is the blood of Jesus (Rev 1:5). His blood is sufficient for all men, for all sin, for all time.

New Testament reading: Luke 17-19

“But if you do not forgive men their trespasses…” (Matt 6:15). Luke 17:3-5 teach us a number of lessons about forgiveness. The first is the requisite to forgive. Jesus begins with the warning to take heed to ourselves. I must not permit the seeds of unforgiveness to occupy any space in my heart. As in our opening line, unforgiveness on my part causes me to forfeit the blessing of forgiveness. Second, the text does not permit us to overlook sin – “If your brother sins, rebuke him.” Looking the other way leads to the loss of two souls, my brother’s and my own (cf Lev 20:4-5). Third, where there is no repentance, there can be no forgiveness – “If he repents, forgive him.” God does not forgive the unrepentant, and we cannot forgive those who refuse to repent.  We must be ready to forgive when God’s conditions are met, but we are not at liberty to ignore sin or forgive those who have no desire to be forgiven. Finally, the text teaches the difficulty of forgiveness – “Lord, increase our faith!” We must earnestly desire to forgive as God does. Remember, it wasn’t easy for Him either.