James Bauman

‭‭Numbers 4.7-8 is really cool seeing the table of the bread of the presence being covered by a blue covering, called tekheleth, which represents holiness and presence of God. Then on top of the covering they would throw on all the dishes and things used for the sacrifices, and they would then cover it with a scarlet covering.

Seeing this is cool because it’s like the table, or design that God set is covered in perfect holiness, and we have our sin, sacrifices, and offerings that restore but still contaminate us from being in Gods perfect design, kind of like man’s offerings. And then it gets covered by a scarlet covering, representing the blood, which covers us fully and makes us pure and holy, blameless and without shame.

In Mark 8, the passage when the disciples alongside Jesus, are in a boat and realizing that they forgot to get bread, something that stuck out to me, apart from Pastor Roman teaching about not realizing who’s in the boat with you, I feel as though Mark and Matthew, in this specific passage, purposely put in the phrase “forgotten to bring bread” because many times I’ve noticed, when I know God is my provider, I almost excuse the fact that He provides to that specific need I’m lacking, because I feel as though something I did caused it. Whether I forgot, lost, or failed at something, He is still faithful to provide during my shortcomings. And I believe that this is a process of renewing the mind, coming to the understanding that He’s actually a good Father, whether we mess up or not.

In Matthew 21:15-16 it’s crazy to see the series of events that take place in the temple. Jesus had just rode in to Jerusalem on a colt, entered the temple and “cleans up” the mess, heals the blind and lame, and then is being praised by children. For the scribes and chief priests this was mind boggling because they are getting offended to their very core, with all of this going on. And so I’m asking myself, when I see the move of the Holy Spirit, how much of me is still religiously getting offended, and how much of me is already child-like and just wants to praise Him?

Psalm 12:5 - It’s awesome to see how through the groaning of the needy, the desperation for Him, creates a hunger that isn’t quickly quenched, but stirs a longing that moves His heart.
“I will now arise,” says the Lord;
“I will place him in the safety for which he longs.”

The safety for which we long is Jesus. In him we are satisfied, protected, and refreshed. And how much more he wants us to be in Him than us ourselves.