The Nurse Theologian

What does it say? The chief priest and elders delivered Jesus to the Roman governor Pilate. Judas hanged himself when he saw that Jesus was condemned. Thief priest took the money that they had paid him to deliver Jesus and bought the potters field in fulfillment of prophecy. The Roman governor was amazed that Jesus did not answer any of the allegations that the chief priest and elders made against him. Pilot knew that they had delivered Jesus because of envy; therefore, he thought to ask the people if they wanted him to release Jesus or Barabbas. Pilot’s wife warned him that Jesus is a righteous man; meanwhile, the chief priest and elders persuaded the people to ask for Barabbas. The people requested that Jesus be crucified; therefore, after publicly washing his hands, Pilot had Jesus scourged and handed him over to be crucified. The soldiers made a mockery of Jesus as king of the Jews. They made Simon of Cyrene carry Jesus’ cross. At the place of the skull, they gave Jesus wine mixed

What does it say? Jesus told his disciples that in two days time he would be handed over for crucifixion. The leaders of the Jews plotted to seize and kill Jesus, but they feared the people, so they did not think that it wise to seize him during the festival until Judas Iscariot came to them willing to betray him for money. Jesus had reprimanded the disciples for reprimanding a woman who poured a jar of fine perfume on his head. While reclining at the table during the Passover supper, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me.” (NASB)  Each disciples said, “Surely it is not I, Lord?” However, Judas did not call him Lord but used the title Rabbi. Jesus gave the disciples bread to eat and wine to drink as a physical metaphors representing his body and his blood spilled out as a sin sacrifice. Jesus told the disciples that they would all fall away this night but would be gathered again after his resurrection. Peter vowed that he would never fall away but Jesus told hi

What does it say? The Lord gave his disciples three parables to bring understanding about the end times. The first is a parable about ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. The five foolish virgins took no oil and the five prudent took oil in flasks. When the bridegroom came, the five foolish were in the market place buying oil. The prudent went into the feast but the foolish were shut out. The second is the parable of the talents given to three slaves. Each was given talents according to his own ability. The first two doubled the landowners talents but the third hid his talent because he feared loosing it. The landowner said, “Well done” to the first two slaves but he cursed the third slave who hid his talent. He also gave his talent to the one who had five talents. The third is the Judgment. The Son of Man is going to come in his glory, with the angels and sit on his glorious throne to judge all of the people of the earth. He will divide them into two g

What does it say? The disciples, admiring the temple buildings, pointed them out to Jesus; however, he told them that not one stone will be left upon another. While sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples asked  Jesus three questions: When will the temple be destroyed? What will be the sign of your coming? What will be the sign of the end of the age? The first thing that Jesus tells them is to not be mislead by others. Then he tells them that they will be delivered to tribulation, killed and hated by all nations for his name sake. Then he speaks directly to the destruction of the temple saying, when you see the abomination fo desolation (Dan 9:27; 11:31; 12:11) standing in the holy place then flee; however, the tribulation of the last days will go on for a long time and many false Christ and false prophets will arise to deceive many but the sign of Christ’s return will be obvious. All of the tribes of the earth will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power an

What does it say? Jesus spoke to the crowds and the disciples about the scribes and the Pharisees. He said that they have seated themselves in the chair of Moses. He said, therefore, do as they say but do not do as they do. They like to seek honor before men and to be called  Rabbi. However, Jesus said to not be called teacher because one is your teacher and you are all brothers. Do not call anyone on the earth father because one is your Father and he is in heaven. Do not be called leaders because one is your leader and he is the Christ. Jesus gave eight woes to the scribes and Pharisees and he called them hypocrites because they lay burdens on people that they are not willing to do themselves. Jesus said that he wanted to gather all of Jerusalem together like children and protect them, but they were unwilling; therefore, they will not see him again until they say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Ps 118:26)  What does it mean? Many of the words of Jesus get explaine

What does it say? Jesus told a parable about a kings wedding feast. The first group that was invited to the wedding feast refused to come. In fact, they abused the servants that came to them; therefore, the king sent his army to destroy their city. Then the king sent out his servants to gather people from everywhere. On the day of the feast, there was a man not dressed in wedding clothes; therefore, the king had him thrown out into the outer darkness, were there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Jesus concluded by saying, “For many are called, but few are chosen.  The Pharisees sent their disciples and the Herodians to Jesus, to try and trick him, so that they might accuse him of insurrection, but Jesus said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and render to God the things that are God’s.” The Sadducees thought that they could stump Jesus about the resurrection using human logic but Jesus answered with Scripture alone; therefore, confounding their understanding. A lawyer ask

What does it say? Jesus came into Jerusalem riding on the back of a donkey and her colt. This was in fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9.  The people called Jesus the Son of David and shouted the words of Psalm 118:26. Jesus cleared the temple of those who were using it to make prophet from the people. Jesus was healing and the children continued to shout, “Hosanna to the Son of David.” Jesus received the praise of the children as it is written about him in Psalm 8:2. When Jesus returned the next day, he saw a barron fig tree and cursed it. This amazed the disciples and Jesus told them that if they believe in prayer they will do likewise. The chief priest and the elders questioned Jesus’ authority. Jesus told them that he would answer by whose authority he was acting, if they answered, by whose authority did John baptize? They answered, we do not know because they feared the people. Jesus followed up with two parables: The first was about two sons. The first of the two sons refused to work in

What does it say? If a person becomes healed of his skin affliction, then the priest is to come to him outside of the camp to see if he has been healed of his skin affliction. If the priest sees that he is healed, then the priest slaughters a bird, in a jar, over running water. Then he dips a live bird, a branch of cedar wood and a scarlett string in the water. He then sprinkles the person with the water seven times and declares him clean. This same ritual is done to cleanse a house. The man must stay outside of his tent for seven days. Then on the eight day, he is to shave all of the hair off his body, bath and change his clothes. The priest who declared him clean is to present him before the Lord at the doorway of the tent of meeting. The man is to bring a guilt offering; a male lamb and a log of oil. A sin offering, another male lamb or a pigeon if he is poor. A burnt offering, which includes a yearling female lamb or pigeon if he is poor, with an ephah of grain. The guilt offering

What does it say? One of the jobs given to the priest, was to inspect persons and articles for leprosy. If a person had an open area on the skin, he or she was to go to the priest for inspection. If the suspect area was obviously leprosy, the person was to be considered unclean by all the congregation. If leprosy was not obvious to the priest, the person was quarantined for seven days, then reinspected by the priest. If the infected area grew during the week of quarantine, he or she was to be considered unclean but if the area did not grow he or she was to remain in quarantine for another seven days and reinspected by the priest, who would then declare him or her clean. Persons who had an infected area on the skin lived outside the camp. They were to look disheveled and cry, “Unclean! Unclean!” The priest also inspected articles of clothing that had some suspect area on them. If these had infection, they were destroyed but care was made to determine if it was an infection before destro

What does it say? When a woman gives birth to a male child she was ceremonially unclean for 7 days but for an additional thirty three days she was to be considered as in mensuration. On the eighth day, the flesh of the male child’s foreskin was to be circumcised. For a female child, all of the waiting periods were doubled. At the completion of her separation, forty days for a male child and eighty days for a female child, she was to bring to the doorway of the tent of meeting a one year old lamb for a burnt offering and a turtle dove or pigeon for a sin offering, but if she was poor, she could bring two turtle doves or two pigeons instead of a lamb, so that the priest could make atonement for her. What does it mean? In our society there is a lot of emotion involved when males and females are considered and treated differently. Genesis 1:27-28 (NASB) God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to t

What does it say? The Lord gave Moses and Aaron commandments about which animals the sons of Israel could eat and could not eat. Of the animals on the earth, they could eat animals that had a divided hoof and chewed the cud. If an animal did not have both of these characteristics it was to be considered unclean to the sons of Israel. Of the animals in the water, the sons of Israel could eat any fish that had fins and scales. If a water creature did not have both of these characteristics it was to be considered unclean to the sons of Israel. Of the the birds in the air, they could not eat flesh eating birds. Of the winged insects that walked on all fours, they could eat those who have jointed legs for jumping but all other four legged insects were to be considered unclean to the sons of Israel. Not only could they not eat the unclean creatures but touching the dead carcass of on of these creatures made a son of Israel unclean for the remainder of that day. Not only the person, but if a

What does it say? Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron offered strange fire before the Lord; therefore, fire came out from the presence of the Lord and they died because of there irreverence. Aaron and his other sons (Eleazar and Ithamar) remained in the tent of meeting and did not become ceremonially unclean but their relatives came forward and carried the bodies outside the camp. The Lord commanded Aaron and his sons to never drink wine or strong drink when they come into the tent of meeting. Then the Lord commanded Aaron and his sons to eat the priest’s portion of the grain offering beside the altar but the breast of the wave offering and thigh of the sin offering they are to eat in a clean place. However, Aaron could not eat the sin offering because of the sadness in his heart, for he believe that he could not eat the offering when his heart was not right before the Lord.  What does it mean? The third of the Ten Commandments of the Sinai covenant says: You shall not take the name of

What does it say? Aaron and his sons were in the tabernacle for seven days, but on the eight day, Aaron came out and spoke to the people. Aaron told them to prepare for the glory of the Lord. Aaron made a sin offering of a calf and a burnt offering for his own purification. Then he made a sin offering, burnt offering and peace offering on behalf of the people, to purify them for the glory of the Lord. He did this work according to the word of the Lord, just as the Lord commanded Moses. When Aaron completed making the offerings, he raised his hands and blessed the people. He and Moses went into the tent of meeting. When Aaron came out again, he blessed the the people, and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. A fire came out from the Lord that consumed the burnt offering and the portions of fat on the altar. This caused the people shout and fall to their faces. What does it mean? Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and he was buried, and he was raised

What does it say? The Lord told Moses to gather the congregation for the consecration ceremony of Aaron and his sons. Moses washed Aaron and his sons with water, and he clothed them in the priestly garments. Moses took the anointing oil and he consecrated the tabernacle, all of the articles, the altar and utensils. Then Moses offered up a bull as a sin offering on behalf of Aaron and his sons as the Lord commanded. Then Moses offered up a ram as a burnt offering on behalf of Aaron and his sons as the Lord commanded. Moses presented a second ram of ordination, a wave offering, as the Lord commanded. Moses took the anointing oil and some of the blood off the altar and sprinkled them on Aaron and his sons. Aaron and his sons ate the bread and meat of the ordination offering; however, what they did not eat was taken and burned outside the camp. Aaron and his sons stayed in the tent of meeting for seven days where they were consecrated by the Lord.  What does it mean? To become an intercess

What does it say? The guilt offering and the sin offering  are to be treated the same by the priest and should  be treated as holy.  Peace offerings are to be eaten on the day that they were sacrificed but freewill offerings may be eaten that day and the next day but not on the third day; whatever is left on the third day shall be burned with fire outside the camp. These things are not to be eaten by persons who are not ceremonially clean and whatever touches an unclean thing shall not be eaten but is to be burned. The sons of Israel were not to eat any fat or the blood of any animal. The peace offering is slayed by the sons of Israel. The fat and the breast and the right thigh are given to the priest. The priest offers up the fat in smoke on the altar. The breast is waved before the Lord and eaten by the priest, also the right thigh belongs to the priest.  What does it mean? In the old covenant there was a separation between the priest and the common man. The priest could do things th

Guilt and Restitution This text indicates that deception about securities, robbery, extortion, and lying about lost things are actually acts of unfaithfulness against the Lord. Whatever a person does wrong to his or her neighbor is it to the Lord. Jesus said that whatever we do or not do for the least of his brethren, we did it to him. (Mt. 25:40, 45)  In this Levitical law, the guilty person is to restore whatever they took from another person. On the day that he brings the guilt offering before the Lord, he is to restore whatever he took from the other person and add one-fifth to the value. Then he is to bring a ram as a guilt offering before the Lord. Jesus Christ is our guilt offering. Therefore, we repent of our sins and trust in his sin sacrifice but we still need to make restitution to those whom we have hurt. The Work of the Priest’s The fire on the altar was to be kept burning day and night. The burnt offerings were laid on the altar in the morning and kept there throughout th

The Law of Guilt Offerings There are four situations given in this text by which a person is considered guilty: Not testifying what he knows when a public request has been made for a witness. Touching an unclean thing. Touching some sort of human uncleanness.  Saying that he is going to do something that he really will not do. The son of Israel who committed one of these offenses was to confess his sin and bring a guilt offering to the Lord; a female from the flock, a lamb or a goat as a sin offering. But if he cannot afford a female from the flock, he was to bring two turtle doves or two pigeons, one was for a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering. The priest makes atonement for his sin in accordance with the law. But if he cannot offered the birds then he is to bring a bushel of fine flower without oil or incense on it. The priest is to take a handful and offer it up in smoke on the altar but the remainder is for the priest. There is a fifth situation, which is considered wo

Laborers in the Kingdom The Lord God is willing to pay anyone who will come to work for him. It does not matter when a person is called, all will receive the same reward. However, there is a progression of things. Those who were called first will receive their reward last and those who were called last will receive their reward first. The way of things is flipped in the kingdom of God. There are three things to consider: First, none deserve the reward that the land owner gives. Second, all will receive an equal reward. Third, the land owner is very generous. Why should anyone be bothered if someone else gets the same reward? No one deserves the reward that they receive. The reward is eternal life in the new heaven and the new earth with God and his Christ.  Death and Resurrection Jesus did not keep his passion a secret from his disciples. They either did not want to believe or did not understand what he was saying. To go forward knowing that the one whom you love will be arrested and c

The Law of Sin Offerings If a priest sins unintentionally but comes to realize his sin. He is to bring a bull without defect before the Lord. He shall lay his hand on the head of the bull and slaughter it just like in the law of burnt offerings and peace offerings. However, this time, the priest takes some of the blood into the tent of meeting and sprinkles the blood with his finger seven times in front of the veil. Beyond the veil is the mercy seat and the ark which contains the convent testimony. The priest is also to put some of the blood on the horns of the altar. All of the fat, the kidneys and the liver are removed just like in the peace offering. They are offered up to the Lord in smoke on the altar. In the peace offering the meat was eaten by the congregation but with sin offerings the meat and hide are taken outside the camp where the ashes are poured out from the altar and it is burned there. Once atonement is made he will be forgiven. If the whole congregation sins unintenti

The Law of Peace Offerings The peace offering could be a male or female. The offering must come from the heard of cattle, the flock of sheep or be a goat. No matter the animal. The man making the sacrifice was to bring the animal to the doorway of the tent of meeting. He then laid his hand on the animals head and slay it at the doorway. The priest sprinkled the blood around on the altar. The two kidneys, the liver, the intra-abdominal fat and all the fat is offered up to the Lord on the altar as smoke. The blood and fat of the sacrifice belongs to the Lord but the man may eat of the meat.  This is a peace offering, an offering that may happen in fellowship, when the sons of Israel come together as a congregation. The meat for the meal must be sacrificed in this way. The blood and the fat are the Lord’s but the meat is given to man. I believe that this goes back to Noah. God gave Noah and his sons the living animals as food. Prior to this, God had only given man green plants for food. (

Concerning Divorce When Jesus completed his teaching about forgiveness he departed the northern region of Galilee and come into the southern region of Judea. Just like in Galilee, large crowds followed him and he healed them but some Pharisees tested Jesus regarding the legality of divorce because this was a debated topic between rabbinic schools. Deuteronomy 24:1-4 was the debated text:  The school of *Shammai, predominant in Jesus’ day, argued that the passage allowed divorce only if one’s spouse was unfaithful; the school of Hillel, which eventually won out, said that a man could divorce his wife if she burned the toast (a later rabbi of this school added, “Or if you find someone more attractive”!). (IVP BBC NT)  So, they asked Jesus if there was any reason for a man to divorce his wife. Jesus did not use the debated text but went back to Genesis 1:27. The male and female are one flesh in the eyes of God. Therefore, they questioned Jesus directly about Deuteronomy 24:1-4, saying: “W

The Law of Grain Offerings Grain offerings consisted of fine flour, oil and frankincense. Frankincense was a white resin used ceremonially and personally. It was one of the ingredients for compounding the holy incense. (Olive Tree Enhanced Strong's Dictionary) The priest took a handful of the mixture and offered it up in smoke as a memorial portion on the altar to the Lord but the remainder was kept by the priests and was considered holy.  The grain offering could be brought to the priests already cooked into cakes. It may have been baked, cooked on a griddle (over an open fire), or in a pan. The ingredients were the same but varied (depending on how it was cooked) of when the oil was added. Even when cooked, a memorial portion was given to the Lord, in smoke on the altar, but the remainder was for the priests and considered holy because it was given as a grain offering to the Lord.  The grain offering was not to be leavened, but was to be prepared with fine flour, oil and frankinc

The Law of Burnt Offerings The first levitical law involves burnt offerings. The sons of Israel were to bring a male from the heard of cattle to the doorway of the tent of meeting. It should be said that he was not to go into the tent of meeting. Only the priests could go into the tent of meeting. The son of Israel, who was offering the animal, was to place his hand on the head of the animal, thereby transferring his sin to the animal. He was then to slay the young bull before the Lord. The priests sprinkled the blood around the altar, which is at the doorway of the tent of meeting. The animal was skinned and the parts placed on the altar, having been washed, as a burnt offering before the Lord. It was called a soothing aroma to the Lord. Burning flesh is not a soothing aroma, this was not barbecue. Therefore, I do not think that this means a pleasing smell. However, I do think that this means that the aroma of a burnt offering soothed (propitiated) the righteous wrath of God against t

The Lord commanded Moses to set up the tabernacle and all of the furnishings on the first day of the first month. He was also commanded to anoint all of the articles used in ritual worship of the Lord with the perfume oil. They were all to be considered holy once they were anointed with the oil. Aaron and his sons were to be washed with water at the doorway of the tent of meeting. Then they were to be dressed in the priestly garments and anointed with the perfume oil. The Lord declared that this anointing qualified this family as a perpetual priesthood throughout their generations. So, as long as Israel was a nation, a Son of Aaron was to be a priest to the Lord. The articles, the priestly garments, and Aaron with his sons were not innately holy. Nor does anointing with perfume oil make something or someone holy. They are holy once anointed with the perfume oil because the Lord is King in Israel, and it was the Lord’s decree.  On the first day, of the first month, of the second year af

What does it say? The disciples asked Jesus “who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus answered them with the example of a child and said that they shall be like children in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus then begins to talk about causing others to stumble and says “woe to him who causes others to stumble.” Whatever causes you to stumble should be removed from your life. The weakest in the congregation should not be despised but cared for the most. God’s will is that all whom he has given to the Son will not perish. Then Jesus begins teaching about relationships in the church. There is a time to severe a relationship because of sin, but not before doing everything possible to get the other person to repent. Meet with the person one on one, then take one or two more, then tell it to the entire church that all may plead with the person, but if the person will not listen to the church, then severe the relationship. What the church decides on earth with loving care, will also be b

What does it say? Of the blue and purple and scarlet material they made finally woven priestly garments for ministering in the holy place. They made these with skillful craftsmanship as the Lord had commanded Moses. Memorial stones with the names of the sons of Israel were engraved and set on the shoulder pieces. They made a breast piece, a pocket on a chain of gold and blue and purple and scarlet material with four rows of three stones engraved with the names of the sons of Israel. They made a robe of blue material and put pomegranates and bells alternating the placement around the hem of the robe just as the Lord commanded Moses. They made the caps and the undergarments just as the Lord had commanded Moses. When the craftsmen completed the work they brought the tabernacle, the articles for worship service and the priestly garments to Moses; after examining the work Moses blessed them. What does it mean? The Lord God does whatever he wants to do however he wants to do it. If you obser

What does it say? Two more items for the tabernacle and a court for the tabernacle were made by Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. (Ex.35:30-33) The two items were a bronze altar for burnt offerings and a bronze laver for the priest’s ritual washing. Both of these items were beautifully constructed and designed to be transported. He also made a court for the for the bronze altar and laver of fine twisted linen which included a gate. The entire court was constructed with fine twisted linen hung on pillars and sockets. Gold, silver and bronze was given for the sanctuary and the cost was based on the men twenty years old and upward who numbered 603,550 men.  What does it mean? The tabernacle was completed. It was Aaron and his sons whom the Lord elected to work in the tabernacle. It was the tribe of Levi whom the Lord elected to carry and set up the tabernacle. But the tabernacle was built by and was built for the people in order that God might dwell amongst th

What does it say? Moses and Elijah appeared talking with Jesus transfigured before Peter, James and John on a high mountain by themselves. Peter wanted to make three tabernacles but God said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to him!” The three men were terrified until Jesus touched them and said, “Do not be afraid.” When they looked up they saw Jesus alone. Jesus told the three disciples to not tell anyone this vision until he had risen from the dead. They questioned Jesus about Old Testament prophecy concerning Elijah and in so many words, Jesus told them that John was the last of the Old Testament prophets. Jesus rebuked a demon who was afflicting a young boy but he called those in the vicinity of the boy an unbelieving and perverted generation. The disciples asked Jesus why they could not drive out the demon and he told them because of the littleness of their faith. Jesus told the disciples that he was going to be arrested and killed but he would raised o

What does it say? First, Bezalel constructed the ark and the mercy seat, with the cherubim facing the mercy seat, and their wings spread out covering the mercy seat, exactly as the Lord had commanded Moses . Second, he made the table of acacia wood and the utensils that were placed on the table, exactly as the Lord had commanded Moses. Third, he made the lampstand of pure gold, with seven lamps, snuffers and trays, exactly as the Lord commanded Moses. Lastly, he made the table of incense of acacia wood overlaid with gold and he made the holy perfume, exactly as the Lord had commanded Moses. The Lord had commanded Moses to make these things, and the Lord put his Spirit in Bezalel to make them. Bezalel made them exactly as the Lord commanded Moses on Mount Sinai.  What does it mean? The Hebrew name (Bezalel) means, "in the shadow (i.e. protection) of God" (Olive Tree Enhanced Strong's Dictionary) It is in the shadow of God that Bezalel made these articles used in the ritual

What does it say? With Bezalel and Oholiab set apart by the Lord as their leaders, every man whom the Lord had given skill was to perform all the work in constructing the sanctuary. Moses gave to those who were performing the work, the freewill offerings brought by the people for the construction of the sanctuary. The workers told Moses that the people had given more than enough; therefore, Moses commanded that the people give no more. The inner wall of the tabernacle was made with fine twisted linen and blue and purple and scarlet material. They also made curtains of goats’ hair for the outer wall. The boards that made the frame for the tabernacle were made of acacia wood. The frame consisted of upright boards and cross bars fitted together with silver sockets. The veil for the holy of holies was made of blue and purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen, with pillars of acacia wood overlaid with gold and golden hooks to hold up the veil. I screen for the doorway to the holy

What does it say? Jesus had done many miraculous signs; healing all who were brought to him of their illnesses and casting out demons, yet the Pharisees and Sadducees asked to see a sign from heaven but the only sign that Jesus would give them is the sign of Jonah. Jesus warned his disciples to beware of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees but called their teaching leaven, so the disciples thought he was speaking of bread; therefore, he had to explain the meaning to them. Jesus asked who do people say that he is and they answered a prophet. Then Jesus asked, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter spoke the truth: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus called Peter blessed and said that it was God who revealed this to him and not man. Jesus said that on this confession, he will build his church, and he said, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” However, Jesus warned the disciples not to tell anyone at this time. From this time Jesus began to