Exodus 28:1-5 and Luke 1:67-80 (NLT)

Exodus 28:1-5
The Priestly Garments

1  “Call for your brother, Aaron, and his sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Set them apart from the rest of the people of Israel so they may minister to me and be my priests.
2   Make sacred garments for Aaron that are glorious and beautiful.
3   Instruct all the skilled craftsmen whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom. Have them make garments for Aaron that will distinguish him as a priest set apart for my service.
4   These are the garments they are to make: a chestpiece, an ephod, a robe, a patterned tunic, a turban, and a sash. They are to make these sacred garments for your brother, Aaron, and his sons to wear when they serve me as priests.
5   So give them fine linen cloth, gold thread, and blue, purple, and scarlet thread.

Luke 1:67-80
Zechariah's Song

67  Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:

68  “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people.

69  He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David,

70  just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago.

71  Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us.

72  He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant—

73  the covenant he swore with an oath to our ancestor Abraham. 

74  We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear,

75  in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live.

76  “And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord.

77  You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins.

78  Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,

79  to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”

80  John grew up and became strong in spirit. And he lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel.

Exodus 27:20-21 and Luke 1:57-66 (NLT)

Exodus 27:20-21
Oil For The Lampstand
20  “Command the people of Israel to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually.
21  The lampstand will stand in the Tabernacle, in front of the inner curtain that shields the Ark of the Covenant.  Aaron and his sons must keep the lamps burning in the Lord’s presence all night. This is a permanent law for the people of Israel, and it must be observed from generation to generation.
Luke 1:57-66
The Birth of John The Baptist

57  When it was time for Elizabeth’s baby to be born, she gave birth to a son. 

58  And when her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had been very merciful to her, everyone rejoiced with her.

59  When the baby was eight days old, they all came for the circumcision ceremony. They wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father. 

60  But Elizabeth said, “No! His name is John!”

61  “What?” they exclaimed. “There is no one in all your family by that name.” 

62  So they used gestures to ask the baby’s father what he wanted to name him. 

63  He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s surprise he wrote, “His name is John.” 

64  Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God.

65  Awe fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills. 

66  Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, “What will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way.

Exodus 27:9-19 and Luke 1:39-56 (NLT)

Exodus 27:9-19
The Courtyard

9    “Then make the courtyard for the Tabernacle, enclosed with curtains made of finely woven linen. On the south side, make the curtains 150 feet long. 

10  They will be held up by twenty posts set securely in twenty bronze bases. Hang the curtains with silver hooks and rings. 

11  Make the curtains the same on the north side—150 feet of curtains held up by twenty posts set securely in bronze bases. Hang the curtains with silver hooks and rings. 

12  The curtains on the west end of the courtyard will be 75 feet long, supported by ten posts set into ten bases. 

13  The east end of the courtyard, the front, will also be 75 feet long. 

14  The courtyard entrance will be on the east end, flanked by two curtains. The curtain on the right side will be 22 1⁄2 feet long, supported by three posts set into three bases. 

15  The curtain on the left side will also be 22 1⁄2 feet long, supported by three posts set into three bases.

16  “For the entrance to the courtyard, make a curtain that is 30 feet long. Make it from finely woven linen, and decorate it with beautiful embroidery in blue, purple, and scarlet thread. Support it with four posts, each securely set in its own base. 

17  All the posts around the courtyard must have silver rings and hooks and bronze bases. 

18  So the entire courtyard will be 150 feet long and 75 feet wide, with curtain walls 7 1⁄2 feet high,  made from finely woven linen. The bases for the posts will be made of bronze.

19  “All the articles used in the rituals of the Tabernacle, including all the tent pegs used to support the Tabernacle and the courtyard curtains, must be made of bronze.

Luke 1:39-56
Mary Visits Elizabeth

39  A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town 

40  where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. 

41  At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

42  Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. 

43  Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? 

44  When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. 

45  You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”

The Magnificat: Mary’s Song of Praise

46  Mary responded,  “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.

47  How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
48  For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,  and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
49  For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me.
50  He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him.
51  His mighty arm has done tremendous things!  He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
52  He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble.
53  He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands.
54  He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful.
55  For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.”

56  Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home.

Exodus 27:1-8 and Luke 1:26-38 (NLT)

Exodus 27:1-8
The Altar of Burnt Offering
1  “Using acacia wood, construct a square altar 7 1⁄2 feet wide, 7 1⁄2 feet long, and 4 1⁄2 feet high.
2  Make horns for each of its four corners so that the horns and altar are all one piece. Overlay the altar with bronze.
3  Make ash buckets, shovels, basins, meat forks, and firepans, all of bronze.
4  Make a bronze grating for it, and attach four bronze rings at its four corners.
5  Install the grating halfway down the side of the altar, under the ledge.
6  For carrying the altar, make poles from acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze.
7  Insert the poles through the rings on the two sides of the altar.
8  The altar must be hollow, made from planks. Build it just as you were shown on the mountain.
Luke 1:26-38
The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26  In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee,

27  to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 

28  Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”

29  Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 

30  “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 

31  You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 

32  He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 

33  And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

34  Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

35  The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 

36  What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. 

37  For nothing is impossible with God”

38  Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

Exodus 26:15-37 and Luke 1:3-25 (NLT)

Exodus 26:15-37
The Tabernacle

15  “For the framework of the Tabernacle, construct frames of acacia wood.
16  Each frame must be 15 feet high and 27 inches wide,
17  with two pegs under each frame. Make all the frames identical.
18  Make twenty of these frames to support the curtains on the south side of the Tabernacle.
19  Also make forty silver bases—two bases under each frame, with the pegs fitting securely into the bases.
20  For the north side of the Tabernacle, make another twenty frames,
21  with their forty silver bases, two bases under each frame.
22  Make six frames for the rear—the west side of the Tabernacle—
23  along with two additional frames to reinforce the rear corners of the Tabernacle.
24  These corner frames will be matched at the bottom and firmly attached at the top with a single ring, forming a single corner unit. Make both of these corner units the same way.
25  So there will be eight frames at the rear of the Tabernacle, set in sixteen silver bases—two bases under each frame.
26  “Make crossbars of acacia wood to link the frames, five crossbars for the north side of the Tabernacle
27  and five for the south side. Also make five crossbars for the rear of the Tabernacle, which will face west.
28  The middle crossbar, attached halfway up the frames, will run all the way from one end of the Tabernacle to the other.
29  Overlay the frames with gold, and make gold rings to hold the crossbars. Overlay the crossbars with gold as well.
30  “Set up this Tabernacle according to the pattern you were shown on the mountain.
31  “For the inside of the Tabernacle, make a special curtain of finely woven linen. Decorate it with blue, purple, and scarlet thread and with skillfully embroidered cherubim.
32  Hang this curtain on gold hooks attached to four posts of acacia wood. Overlay the posts with gold, and set them in four silver bases.
33  Hang the inner curtain from clasps, and put the Ark of the Covenant in the room behind it. This curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.
34  “Then put the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—on top of the Ark of the Covenant inside the Most Holy Place.
35  Place the table outside the inner curtain on the north side of the Tabernacle, and place the lampstand across the room on the south side.
36  “Make another curtain for the entrance to the sacred tent. Make it of finely woven linen and embroider it with exquisite designs, using blue, purple, and scarlet thread.
37  Craft five posts from acacia wood. Overlay them with gold, and hang the curtain from them with gold hooks. Cast five bronze bases for the posts.

Luke 1:3-25
The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
3    Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus,
4    so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.
5    When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron.
6    Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations.
7    They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.
8    One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week.
9    As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.
10  While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying.
11  While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar.
12  Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him.
13  But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John.
14  You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,
15  for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth.
16  And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God.
17  He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”
18  Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.”
19  Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news!
20  But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”
21  Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out of the sanctuary, wondering why he was taking so long.
22  When he finally did come out, he couldn’t speak to them. Then they realized from his gestures and his silence that he must have seen a vision in the sanctuary.
23  When Zechariah’s week of service in the Temple was over, he returned home.
24  Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months.
25  “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.”

Exodus 26:1-14 and Luke 1:1-4 (NLT)

Exodus 26:1-14
The Tabernacle

1    “Make the Tabernacle from ten curtains of finely woven linen. Decorate the curtains with blue, purple, and scarlet thread and with skillfully embroidered cherubim. 

2    These ten curtains must all be exactly the same size—42 feet long and 6 feet wide. 

3    Join five of these curtains together to make one long curtain, then join the other five into a second long curtain. 

4    Put loops of blue yarn along the edge of the last curtain in each set. 

5    The fifty loops along the edge of one curtain are to match the fifty loops along the edge of the other curtain. 

6    Then make fifty gold clasps and fasten the long curtains together with the clasps. In this way, the Tabernacle will be made of one continuous piece.

7    “Make eleven curtains of goat-hair cloth to serve as a tent covering for the Tabernacle. 

8    These eleven curtains must all be exactly the same size—45 feet long and 6 feet wide.

9    Join five of these curtains together to make one long curtain, and join the other six into a second long curtain. Allow 3 feet of material from the second set of curtains to hang over the front of the sacred tent.

10  Make fifty loops for one edge of each large curtain. 

11  Then make fifty bronze clasps, and fasten the loops of the long curtains with the clasps. In this way, the tent covering will be made of one continuous piece. 

12  The remaining 3 feet of this tent covering will be left to hang over the back of the Tabernacle. 

13  Allow 18 inches of remaining material to hang down over each side, so the Tabernacle is completely covered. 

14  Complete the tent covering with a protective layer of tanned ram skins and a layer of fine goatskin leather.

Luke 1:1-4
Introduction
1  Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us.
2  They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples.
3  Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus,
4  so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.

Exodus 25:31-40 and Mark 16 (NLT)

Exodus 25:31-40
The Lampstand

31  “Make a lampstand of pure, hammered gold. Make the entire lampstand and its decorations of one piece—the base, center stem, lamp cups, buds, and petals. 

32  Make it with six branches going out from the center stem, three on each side. 

33  Each of the six branches will have three lamp cups shaped like almond blossoms, complete with buds and petals. 

34  Craft the center stem of the lampstand with four lamp cups shaped like almond blossoms, complete with buds and petals. 

35  There will also be an almond bud beneath each pair of branches where the six branches extend from the center stem. 

36  The almond buds and branches must all be of one piece with the center stem, and they must be hammered from pure gold. 

37  Then make the seven lamps for the lampstand, and set them so they reflect their light forward. 

38  The lamp snuffers and trays must also be made of pure gold. 

39  You will need seventy-five pounds of pure gold for the lampstand and its accessories.

40  “Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain.

Mark 16
The Resurrection

1    Saturday evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus’ body. 

2    Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb. 

3    On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 

4    But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside.

5    When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, 

6    but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth,who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. 

7    Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.”

8    The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing to anyone because they were too frightened. 

9    After Jesus rose from the dead early on Sunday morning, the first person who saw him was Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom he had cast out seven demons. 

10  She went to the disciples, who were grieving and weeping, and told them what had happened. 

11  But when she told them that Jesus was alive and she had seen him, they didn’t believe her.

12  Afterward he appeared in a different form to two of his followers who were walking from Jerusalem into the country. 

13  They rushed back to tell the others, but no one believed them.

14  Still later he appeared to the eleven disciples as they were eating together. He rebuked them for their stubborn unbelief because they refused to believe those who had seen him after he had been raised from the dead.

15  And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. 

16  Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. 

17  These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. 

18  They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.”

19  When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 

20  And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.

Exodus 25:23-30 and Mark 15:42-47(NLT)

Exodus 25:23-30
Plans For The Table
23  “Then make a table of acacia wood, 36 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 27 inches high.
24  Overlay it with pure gold and run a gold molding around the edge.
25  Decorate it with a 3-inch border all around, and run a gold molding along the border.
26  Make four gold rings for the table and attach them at the four corners next to the four legs.
27  Attach the rings near the border to hold the poles that are used to carry the table.
28  Make these poles from acacia wood, and overlay them with gold.
29  Make special containers of pure gold for the table—bowls, pans, pitchers, and jars—to be used in pouring out liquid offerings.
30  Place the Bread of the Presence on the table to remain before me at all times.
Mark 15:42-47
The Burial of Jesus
42  This all happened on Friday, the day of preparation, the day before the Sabbath. As evening approached,
43  Joseph of Arimathea took a risk and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. (Joseph was an honored member of the high council, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.)
44  Pilate couldn’t believe that Jesus was already dead, so he called for the Roman officer and asked if he had died yet.
45  The officer confirmed that Jesus was dead, so Pilate told Joseph he could have the body.
46  Joseph bought a long sheet of linen cloth. Then he took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone in front of the entrance.
47  Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where Jesus’ body was laid.

Exodus 25:10-22 and Mark 15:33-41 (NLT)

Exodus 25:10-22
The Ark

10  “Have the people make an Ark of acacia wood—a sacred chest 45 inches long, 27 inches wide, and 27 inches high.

11  Overlay it inside and outside with pure gold, and run a molding of gold all around it. 

12  Cast four gold rings and attach them to its four feet, two rings on each side. 

13  Make poles from acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. 

14  Insert the poles into the rings at the sides of the Ark to carry it. 

15  These carrying poles must stay inside the rings; never remove them. 

16  When the Ark is finished, place inside it the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, which I will give to you.

17  “Then make the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—from pure gold. It must be 45 inches long and 27 inches wide. 

18  Then make two cherubim from hammered gold, and place them on the two ends of the atonement cover.

19  Mold the cherubim on each end of the atonement cover, making it all of one piece of gold. 

20  The cherubim will face each other and look down on the atonement cover. With their wings spread above it, they will protect it. 

21  Place inside the Ark the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, which I will give to you. Then put the atonement cover on top of the Ark. 

22  I will meet with you there and talk to you from above the atonement cover between the gold cherubim that hover over the Ark of the Covenant.From there I will give you my commands for the people of Israel

Mark 15:33-41
The Death of Jesus

33  At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 

34  Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

35  Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. 

36  One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. “Wait!” he said. “Let’s see whether Elijah comes to take him down!”

37  Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last. 

38  And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.

39  When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!”

40  Some women were there, watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James the younger and of Joseph), and Salome. 

41  They had been followers of Jesus and had cared for him while he was in Galilee. Many other women who had come with him to Jerusalem were also there.

Exodus 25:1-9 and Mark 15:21-32 (NLT)

Exodus 25:1-9
Offerings for the Tabernacle

1  The Lord said to Moses, 

2  “Tell the people of Israel to bring me their sacred offerings. Accept the contributions from all whose hearts are moved to offer them. 

3  Here is a list of sacred offerings you may accept from them:  gold, silver, and bronze;

4  blue, purple, and scarlet thread;  fine linen and goat hair for cloth;

5  tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather;  acacia wood;

6  olive oil for the lamps;  spices for the anointing oil and the fragrant incense;

7  onyx stones, and other gemstones to be set in the ephod and the priest’s chestpiece.

8  “Have the people of Israel build me a holy sanctuary so I can live among them. 

9  You must build this Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the pattern I will show you.

Mark 15:21-32

Crucifixion

21  A passerby named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was coming in from the countryside just then, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. (Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus.) 

22  And they brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”). 

23  They offered him wine drugged with myrrh, but he refused it.

24  Then the soldiers nailed him to the cross. They divided his clothes and threw dice to decide who would get each piece. 

25  It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. 

26  A sign announced the charge against him. It read, “The King of the Jews.” 

27-28  Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.

29  The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. “Ha! Look at you now!” they yelled at him. “You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. 

30  Well then, save yourself and come down from the cross!”

31  The leading priests and teachers of religious law also mocked Jesus. “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! 

32  Let this Messiah, this King of Israel, come down from the cross so we can see it and believe him!” Even the men who were crucified with Jesus ridiculed him.

Exodus 24 and Mark 15:16-20 (NLT)

Exodus 24
The Covenant Confirmed

1    Then the Lord instructed Moses: “Come up here to me, and bring along Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of Israel’s elders. All of you must worship from a distance. 

2    Only Moses is allowed to come near to the Lord. The others must not come near, and none of the other people are allowed to climb up the mountain with him.”

3    Then Moses went down to the people and repeated all the instructions and regulations the Lord had given him. All the people answered with one voice, “We will do everything the Lord has commanded.”

4    Then Moses carefully wrote down all the Lord’s instructions. Early the next morning Moses got up and built an altar at the foot of the mountain. He also set up twelve pillars, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. 

5    Then he sent some of the young Israelite men to present burnt offerings and to sacrifice bulls as peace offerings to the Lord. 

6    Moses drained half the blood from these animals into basins. The other half he splattered against the altar.

7    Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it aloud to the people. Again they all responded, “We will do everything the Lord has commanded. We will obey.”

8    Then Moses took the blood from the basins and splattered it over the people, declaring, “Look, this blood confirms the covenant the Lord has made with you in giving you these instructions.”

9    Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel climbed up the mountain. 

10  There they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there seemed to be a surface of brilliant blue lapis lazuli, as clear as the sky itself. 

11  And though these nobles of Israel gazed upon God, he did not destroy them. In fact, they ate a covenant meal, eating and drinking in his presence!

12  Then the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain. Stay there, and I will give you the tablets of stone on which I have inscribed the instructions and commands so you can teach the people.” 

13  So Moses and his assistant Joshua set out, and Moses climbed up the mountain of God.

14  Moses told the elders, “Stay here and wait for us until we come back. Aaron and Hur are here with you. If anyone has a dispute while I am gone, consult with them.”

15  Then Moses climbed up the mountain, and the cloud covered it. 

16  And the glory of the Lord settled down on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days. On the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from inside the cloud. 

17  To the Israelites at the foot of the mountain, the glory of the Lord appeared at the summit like a consuming fire. 

18  Then Moses disappeared into the cloud as he climbed higher up the mountain. He remained on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

Mark 15:16-20
The Soldiers Mock Jesus
16  The soldiers took Jesus into the courtyard of the governor’s headquarters (called the Praetorium) and called out the entire regiment.
17  They dressed him in a purple robe, and they wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head.
18  Then they saluted him and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!”
19  And they struck him on the head with a reed stick, spit on him, and dropped to their knees in mock worship.
20  When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.

Exodus 23:20-33 and Mark 15:1-15 (NLT)

Exodus 23:20-33
God's Angel to Prepare the Way

20  “See, I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you. 

21  Pay close attention to him, and obey his instructions. Do not rebel against him, for he is my representative, and he will not forgive your rebellion. 

22  But if you are careful to obey him, following all my instructions, then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and I will oppose those who oppose you. 

23  For my angel will go before you and bring you into the land of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and Jebusites, so you may live there. And I will destroy them completely. 

24  You must not worship the gods of these nations or serve them in any way or imitate their evil practices. Instead, you must utterly destroy them and smash their sacred pillars.

25  “You must serve only the Lord your God. If you do, I will bless you with food and water, and I will protect you from illness. 

26  There will be no miscarriages or infertility in your land, and I will give you long, full lives.

27  “I will send my terror ahead of you and create panic among all the people whose lands you invade. I will make all your enemies turn and run. 

28  I will send terror ahead of you to drive out the Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites. 

29  But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals would multiply and threaten you. 

30  I will drive them out a little at a time until your population has increased enough to take possession of the land. 

31  And I will fix your boundaries from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, and from the eastern wilderness to the Euphrates River.  I will hand over to you the people now living in the land, and you will drive them out ahead of you.

32  “Make no treaties with them or their gods. 

33  They must not live in your land, or they will cause you to sin against me. If you serve their gods, you will be caught in the trap of idolatry.”

Mark 15:1-15
Jesus Before Pilate

1    Very early in the morning the leading priests, the elders, and the teachers of religious law—the entire high council—met to discuss their next step. They bound Jesus, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor.

2    Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”  Jesus replied, “You have said it.”

3    Then the leading priests kept accusing him of many crimes, 

4    and Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer them? What about all these charges they are bringing against you?” 

5    But Jesus said nothing, much to Pilate’s surprise.

6    Now it was the governor’s custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner—anyone the people requested. 

7    One of the prisoners at that time was Barabbas, a revolutionary who had committed murder in an uprising. 

8    The crowd went to Pilate and asked him to release a prisoner as usual.

9    “Would you like me to release to you this ‘King of the Jews’?” Pilate asked. 

10  (For he realized by now that the leading priests had arrested Jesus out of envy.) 

11  But at this point the leading priests stirred up the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas instead of Jesus. 

12  Pilate asked them, “Then what should I do with this man you call the king of the Jews?”

13  They shouted back, “Crucify him!”

14  “Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?”  But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!”

15  So to pacify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.

Exodus 23:14-19 and Mark 14:66-72 (NLT)

Exodus 23:14-19
The Three Annual Festivals

14  You must worship no other gods, for the Lord, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you.
15  “You must not make a treaty of any kind with the people living in the land. They lust after their gods, offering sacrifices to them. They will invite you to join them in their sacrificial meals, and you will go with them.
16  Then you will accept their daughters, who sacrifice to other gods, as wives for your sons. And they will seduce your sons to commit adultery against me by worshiping other gods.
17  You must not make any gods of molten metal for yourselves.
18  “You must celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread. For seven days the bread you eat must be made without yeast, just as I commanded you. Celebrate this festival annually at the appointed time in early spring, in the month of Abib, for that is the anniversary of your departure from Egypt.
19  “The firstborn of every animal belongs to me, including the firstborn males from your herds of cattle and your flocks of sheep and goats.

Mark 14:16-76

Peter Disowns Jesus

66  Meanwhile, Peter was in the courtyard below. One of the servant girls who worked for the high priest came by

67  and noticed Peter warming himself at the fire. She looked at him closely and said, “You were one of those with Jesus of Nazareth.”

68  But Peter denied it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, and he went out into the entryway. Just then, a rooster crowed.

69  When the servant girl saw him standing there, she began telling the others, “This man is definitely one of them!” 

70  But Peter denied it again.  A little later some of the other bystanders confronted Peter and said, “You must be one of them, because you are a Galilean.”

71  Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know this man you’re talking about!” 

72  And immediately the rooster crowed the second time.  Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he broke down and wept.

Exodus 23:10-13 and Mark 14:53-65 (NLT)

Exodus 23:10-13
Sabbath Laws

10  “Plant and harvest your crops for six years,
11  but let the land be renewed and lie uncultivated during the seventh year. Then let the poor among you harvest whatever grows on its own. Leave the rest for wild animals to eat. The same applies to your vineyards and olive groves.
12  “You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but on the seventh day you must stop working. This gives your ox and your donkey a chance to rest. It also allows your slaves and the foreigners living among you to be refreshed.
13  “Pay close attention to all my instructions. You must not call on the name of any other gods. Do not even speak their names.

Mark 14:53-65
Before the Sanhedrin

53  They took Jesus to the high priest’s home where the leading priests, the elders, and the teachers of religious law had gathered. 

54  Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and went right into the high priest’s courtyard. There he sat with the guards, warming himself by the fire.

55  Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find evidence against Jesus, so they could put him to death. But they couldn’t find any. 

56  Many false witnesses spoke against him, but they contradicted each other. 

57  Finally, some men stood up and gave this false testimony: 

58  “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this Temple made with human hands, and in three days I will build another, made without human hands.’” 

59  But even then they didn’t get their stories straight!

60  Then the high priest stood up before the others and asked Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?” 

61  But Jesus was silent and made no reply. Then the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”

62  Jesus said, “I Am.  And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

63  Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Why do we need other witnesses? 

64  You have all heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?”  “Guilty!” they all cried. “He deserves to die!”

65  Then some of them began to spit at him, and they blindfolded him and beat him with their fists. “Prophesy to us,” they jeered. And the guards slapped him as they took him away.

Exodus 23:1-9 and Mark 14:43-52 (NLT)

Exodus 23:1-9
Laws of Justice and Mercy

1  “You must not pass along false rumors. You must not cooperate with evil people by lying on the witness stand.

2  “You must not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you are called to testify in a dispute, do not be swayed by the crowd to twist justice. 

3  And do not slant your testimony in favor of a person just because that person is poor.

4  “If you come upon your enemy’s ox or donkey that has strayed away, take it back to its owner. 

5  If you see that the donkey of someone who hates you has collapsed under its load, do not walk by. Instead, stop and help.

6  “In a lawsuit, you must not deny justice to the poor.

7  “Be sure never to charge anyone falsely with evil. Never sentence an innocent or blameless person to death, for I never declare a guilty person to be innocent.

8  “Take no bribes, for a bribe makes you ignore something that you clearly see. A bribe makes even a righteous person twist the truth.

9  “You must not oppress foreigners. You know what it’s like to be a foreigner, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.

Mark 14:43-52
Jesus Arrested

43  And immediately, even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders. 

44  The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss. Then you can take him away under guard.” 

45  As soon as they arrived, Judas walked up to Jesus. “Rabbi!” he exclaimed, and gave him the kiss.

46  Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. 

47  But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear.

48  Jesus asked them, “Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? 
49  Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there among you teaching every day. But these things are happening to fulfill what the Scriptures say about me.”
50  Then all his disciples deserted him and ran away.
51  One young man following behind was clothed only in a long linen shirt. When the mob tried to grab him,
52  he slipped out of his shirt and ran away naked

+Exodus 22:16-31 and Mark 14:32-42 (NLT)

Exodus 22:16-31
Social Responsibility

16  “If a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged to anyone and has sex with her, he must pay the customary bride price and marry her. 

17  But if her father refuses to let him marry her, the man must still pay him an amount equal to the bride price of a virgin.

18  “You must not allow a sorceress to live.  

19  “Anyone who has sexual relations with an animal must certainly be put to death.

20  “Anyone who sacrifices to any god other than the Lord must be destroyed

21  “You must not mistreat or oppress foreigners in any way. Remember, you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.

22  “You must not exploit a widow or an orphan. 

23  If you exploit them in any way and they cry out to me, then I will certainly hear their cry. 

24  My anger will blaze against you, and I will kill you with the sword. Then your wives will be widows and your children fatherless.

25  “If you lend money to any of my people who are in need, do not charge interest as a money lender would. 

26  If you take your neighbor’s cloak as security for a loan, you must return it before sunset. 

27  This coat may be the only blanket your neighbor has. How can a person sleep without it? If you do not return it and your neighbor cries out to me for help, then I will hear, for I am merciful.

28  “You must not dishonor God or curse any of your rulers.

29  “You must not hold anything back when you give me offerings from your crops and your wine.

“You must give me your firstborn sons.
30  “You must also give me the firstborn of your cattle, sheep, and goats. But leave the newborn animal with its mother for seven days; then give it to me on the eighth day.
31  “You must be my holy people. Therefore, do not eat any animal that has been torn up and killed by wild animals. Throw it to the dogs.

Mark 14:32-42
Gethsemane

32  They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, “Sit here while I go and pray.” 

33  He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed. 

34  He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

35  He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by. 

36  “Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

37  Then he returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? 

38  Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

39  Then Jesus left them again and prayed the same prayer as before. 

40  When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open. And they didn’t know what to say.

41  When he returned to them the third time, he said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But no—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 

42  Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!”

Exodus 22:1-15 and Mark 14:27-31 (NLT)

Exodus 22:1-15
Protection of Property

1    “If someone steals an ox or sheep and then kills or sells it, the thief must pay back five oxen for each ox stolen, and four sheep for each sheep stolen.

2    “If a thief is caught in the act of breaking into a house and is struck and killed in the process, the person who killed the thief is not guilty of murder. 

3    But if it happens in daylight, the one who killed the thief is guilty of murder.  “A thief who is caught must pay in full for everything he stole. If he cannot pay, he must be sold as a slave to pay for his theft. 

4    If someone steals an ox or a donkey or a sheep and it is found in the thief’s possession, then the thief must pay double the value of the stolen animal.  

5    “If an animal is grazing in a field or vineyard and the owner lets it stray into someone else’s field to graze, then the animal’s owner must pay compensation from the best of his own grain or grapes.

6    “If you are burning thornbushes and the fire gets out of control and spreads into another person’s field, destroying the sheaves or the uncut grain or the whole crop, the one who started the fire must pay for the lost crop.

7    “Suppose someone leaves money or goods with a neighbor for safekeeping, and they are stolen from the neighbor’s house. If the thief is caught, the compensation is double the value of what was stolen. 

8    But if the thief is not caught, the neighbor must appear before God,  who will determine if he stole the property.

9    “Suppose there is a dispute between two people who both claim to own a particular ox, donkey, sheep, article of clothing, or any lost property. Both parties must come before God, and the person whom God declares guilty must pay double compensation to the other.

10  “Now suppose someone leaves a donkey, ox, sheep, or any other animal with a neighbor for safekeeping, but it dies or is injured or gets away, and no one sees what happened. 

11  The neighbor must then take an oath in the presence of the Lord. If the Lord confirms that the neighbor did not steal the property, the owner must accept the verdict, and no payment will be required. 

12  But if the animal was indeed stolen, the guilty person must pay compensation to the owner. 

13  If it was torn to pieces by a wild animal, the remains of the carcass must be shown as evidence, and no compensation will be required.

14  “If someone borrows an animal from a neighbor and it is injured or dies when the owner is absent, the person who borrowed it must pay full compensation. 

15  But if the owner was present, no compensation is required. And no compensation is required if the animal was rented, for this loss is covered by the rental fee.

Mark 14:27-31
Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial

27  On the way, Jesus told them, “All of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd,  and the sheep will be scattered.’

28  But after I am raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.”

29  Peter said to him, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I never will.”

30  Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

31  “No!” Peter declared emphatically. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the others vowed the same.

Exodus 21:26-36 and Mark 14:12-26 (NLT)

Exodus 21:26-36
Personal Injuries

26  “If a man hits his male or female slave in the eye and the eye is blinded, he must let the slave go free to compensate for the eye.
27  And if a man knocks out the tooth of his male or female slave, he must let the slave go free to compensate for the tooth.
28  “If an ox gores a man or woman to death, the ox must be stoned, and its flesh may not be eaten. In such a case, however, the owner will not be held liable.
29  But suppose the ox had a reputation for goring, and the owner had been informed but failed to keep it under control. If the ox then kills someone, it must be stoned, and the owner must also be put to death.
30  However, the dead person’s relatives may accept payment to compensate for the loss of life. The owner of the ox may redeem his life by paying whatever is demanded.
31  “The same regulation applies if the ox gores a boy or a girl.
32  But if the ox gores a slave, either male or female, the animal’s owner must pay the slave’s owner thirty silver coins, and the ox must be stoned.
33  “Suppose someone digs or uncovers a pit and fails to cover it, and then an ox or a donkey falls into it.
34  The owner of the pit must pay full compensation to the owner of the animal, but then he gets to keep the dead animal.
35  “If someone’s ox injures a neighbor’s ox and the injured ox dies, then the two owners must sell the live ox and divide the price equally between them. They must also divide the dead animal.
36  But if the ox had a reputation for goring, yet its owner failed to keep it under control, he must pay full compensation—a live ox for the dead one—but he may keep the dead ox.

Mark 14:12-26
The Lord's Supper

12  On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go to prepare the Passover meal for you?”

13  So Jesus sent two of them into Jerusalem with these instructions: “As you go into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him. 

14  At the house he enters, say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’ 

15  He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is where you should prepare our meal.” 

16  So the two disciples went into the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover meal there.

17  In the evening Jesus arrived with the twelve disciples. 

18  As they were at the table eating, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, one of you eating with me here will betray me.”

19  Greatly distressed, each one asked in turn, “Am I the one?”

20  He replied, “It is one of you twelve who is eating from this bowl with me. 

21  For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!”

22  As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it, for this is my body.”

23  And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it.

24  And he said to them, “This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many. 

25  I tell you the truth, I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new in the Kingdom of God.”

26  Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.

Exodus 21:12-25 and Mark 14:1-11 (NLT)

Exodus 21:12-25
Personal Injuries

12  “Anyone who strikes a person with a fatal blow is to be put to death.
13  However, if it is not done intentionally, but God lets it happen, they are to flee to a place I will designate.
14  But if anyone schemes and kills someone deliberately, that person is to be taken from my altar and put to death.
15  “Anyone who attacks their father or mother is to be put to death.
16  “Anyone who kidnaps someone is to be put to death, whether the victim has been sold or is still in the kidnapper’s possession.
17  “Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.
18  “If people quarrel and one person hits another with a stone or with their fist and the victim does not die but is confined to bed,
19  the one who struck the blow will not be held liable if the other can get up and walk around outside with a staff; however, the guilty party must pay the injured person for any loss of time and see that the victim is completely healed.
20  “Anyone who beats their male or female slave with a rod must be punished if the slave dies as a direct result,
21  but they are not to be punished if the slave recovers after a day or two, since the slave is their property.
22  “If people are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows.
23  But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life,
24  eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
25  burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.

Mark 14:1-11
Jesus Anointed at Bethany

1    Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. 

2    “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.”

3    While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

4    Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? 

5    It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.

6    “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 

7    The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 

8    She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 

9    Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

10  Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. 

11  They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

Exodus 21:1-11 and Mark 13:32-37 (NLT

Exodus 21:1-11
Hebrew Servants
1    “These are the laws you are to set before them:

2    “If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free, without paying anything.
3    If he comes alone, he is to go free alone; but if he has a wife when he comes, she is to go with him.
4    If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and only the man shall go free.
5    “But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,’
6    then his master must take him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life.
7    “If a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as male servants do.
8    If she does not please the master who has selected her for himself,  he must let her be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to foreigners, because he has broken faith with her.
9    If he selects her for his son, he must grant her the rights of a daughter.
10  If he marries another woman, he must not deprive the first one of her food, clothing and marital rights.
11  If he does not provide her with these three things, she is to go free, without any payment of money.

Mark 13:32-37
The Day and Hour Unknown

32  “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 
33  Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 
34  It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
35  “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 
36  If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 
37  What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”