Psalm 119:25-32; Exodus 24:1-22; Luke 5:17-39

Psalm 119 is famous for every verse mentions the Word of God in some way: word, law, decrees, testimonies, precepts are some of the terms used to refer to it. The best way to describe the theology in this Psalm is that everything–everything–revolves around the Word of God. When we think of Jesus being the Word of God Incarnate and the Bible is the Inspired Word of God, this makes sense. Jesus is omnipresent. So is the Holy Spirit. The Word of God tells the story of everything in the sense that it comprehends life as we know it and life as we anticipate it to be in the new heavens and earth. 

In the Old Testament reading we read about contributions to the sanctuary, the Mercy Seat and the Ark of the Covenant in which the Ten Commandments on stone will be placed. The Mercy Seat is on top of the Ark between the two seraphim's outstretched wings. The Mercy Seat is the place from where God speaks to Moses (cf. Nu 7:89). Ultimately, the final Mercy Seat is the cross of Jesus, the place where God speaks clearly to us: you are forgiven, loved, and redeemed!

In the New Testament reading Jesus heals a paralytic, calls Levi, and answers the question about fasting. Jesus ups the ante by forgiving the paralytic's sins, showing without doubt that he is God. He demonstrates that the grace of God is for everyone, eating with Matthew and other tax collectors. The fasting issue recognizes that Jesus embodies the new covenant. He is the "new wine." Jesus fulfills the Old Testament promises and demonstrates that now the new covenant functions on grace.