I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.

     Today’s passage lists the procedures for making an offering if one unintentionally sins. The passage makes it clear that intentions do not absolve one of sin. If we commit a sin, even though we did not intend to, we are still guilty of the sin and need to make ourselves right with God. When we realize that we have sinned, we must confess our sin before we can be made right. The fact that I did not mean to sin, or maybe even meant to do well, does not absolve me of the guilt of my sin. We often hear, “Oh, he meant well,” when someone did wrong. It is not enough to have meant well. If we have sinned, even if that was not our intent, we must confess that we have done wrong.
     This passage highlights one side of a basic principle, doing the wrong thing for the right reasons is still the wrong thing. The reverse of that is also true, doing the right thing for the wrong reasons is still the right thing. What you do often matters more than why you do it. This passage emphasizes that when you realize you have done the wrong thing, you must confess that you were wrong and change your ways.

     Jesus went out along the lake shore and began teaching the crowds that gathered. As He walked along he saw Levi working as a tax collector. Jesus approached Levi and told him to follow Him. Levi immediately got up and become Jesus’ disciple. Later, when Jesus was eating at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and other sinners ate with Him (after all, Levi was a tax collector, so his friends would have been tax collectors). The teachers of religious law wanted to know why He was eating with such lowlife’s. Jesus’ answer is one which we should pay attention to. How are we going to reach those who most need the Lord if we refuse to spend any time with them? How are we going to show sinners what it means to serve God if we do not hang out where they hang out?
     Jesus was questioned as to why His disciples do not fast. Jesus answers that they do not fast because He is with them, in the future when He is not with them, they will fast. He then makes a comment that is very profound, although I am not sure of how it connects with the issue of fasting. He tells them that one does not sew new cloth onto old clothing and one does not put new wine into an old wineskin. When God does a new thing, the forms will be new as well.
     Jesus then goes on to have a confrontation with the religious leaders about the Sabbath. We must not allow our rules about what it means to be righteous get in the way of doing the things that are righteous.

     The wicked do not even know that they are wicked. All too often we lie to ourselves about our true nature. The psalmist is pointing out something that is a basic truth. No one perceives themselves as evil, no matter how evil others may see their actions as being. However, God will pour out His love on those who love Him. If we strive to do what He desires, He will shine a light on our lives to show us what we should change.

     A wise child brings joy to his parents, while a foolish child causes them grief. Those who gain wealth through illicit means will discover that it does not bring joy. Those who live a righteous life will experience happiness.